He used screens well and some good looks. On the difficulty of guarding Derrick Byars Yes, their were some uncharacteristic mistakes by us.” “We had breakdowns down the stretch, but you have to give Vanderbilt credit. On their comeback and mistakes in the second overtime We had opportunities, but just didn’t capitalize.” It was a big game and mentally, maybe, we had it slip away. I’ll be seeing that shot for quite awhile. I saw an opening when their player backed off me. “I had the ball and was trying to make a play. On the last offensive play of the second overtime We had several good looks at crucial times. We probably could have looked for Derrick (Low) more late in the game because he had it going. On second-guessing some of the plays at the end of regulation and late in the overtimes He didn’t have one of his best games tonight, but that happens.” We rode him all season and he produced for us. After the game in the locker room, I told the kids, as much as this hurts, Gentlemen, I’m proud of what we accomplished this season.” It was a turnaround year, though, and that was our goal at the beginning of the season. I can tell you for sure I won’t be looking at the tape of this game tonight.
“There are a lot of good things to take from this season. Basketball is a game of mistakes and you have to limit those to be successful we didn’t.” “We obviously forced things a little too much down the stretch maybe trying to make too many plays off the dribble. On the team’s uncharacteristic turnover total “It was definitely a clean look and he’s made a lot of plays for us at the end of halves and games.” Daven was excellent, as well, and Chris Matthews played well in the first half.” It was special to taste this (the NCAAs) and experience it. It stings right now, but what an experience this tournament has been. The first half was one of our best of the season. “After that game, our guys understand the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. We can’t credit these two enough for helping us win this game. In the second half they came out and became the people they are for us. Another reason we won is because Derrick and Shane, they had been struggling in the first half to find the rhythm. Credit our guys for finally finding a rhythm and locking down when we do lock down we’re as good as anybody and tough to beat … In the last 15-20 minutes we locked down and played a lot better. “Coach very calmly put the clipboard on the floor and told me I messed up a play on defense, which is true, I made a play that led to a dunk some of those mental errors on defense were what was causing us to remain in that whole of seven, eight, and nine points you credit our guys for finally down the stretch, finding our rhythm. On trailing by ten and message sent by the coach Our philosophy was to get better every day and be a little better today than we were yesterday.” We just fought, we got off to a rugged start but we continued to fight (and) we continued to believe in each other and our coaching staff. “At the beginning of the season we set the same goals for ourselves, making the NCAA tournament and going as far as we could was one of them. I had to do everything to help my team win.” I knew my team needed me down the stretch, and it was a mindset thing. ”I just had to be able to be aggressive and aware that I had four fouls. So our initial goal (was) to do well in the regular season, conference and give ourselves the best opportunity for a postseason appearance in the NCAA and try to advance.” “Coming off two post season NIT appearances, first you want to make it to the NCAA before you can make it to the Sweet Sixteen or the Elite Eight. On whether they believed they would be in the Sweet 16 at the beginning of the season: I’m really proud of our team being able to come out on top … Our team has been great at winning close games all season long, it’s a tribute to their character and their toughness and their willingness to play together and I’m really proud of them.”
They played a terrific game, I told our team to be ready for the most physical basketball game you’ve ever been in and that’s the way it was both teams were physical and tough. We got a couple of key turnovers in the overtime. We didn’t fight any harder than they did we just made a couple of plays, and that’s just the nature of close games like that. As happy as I am for our team, my heart goes out to Tony Bennett and the Washington state players because neither team deserved to lose that game. “That was one of the best college basketball games I’ve ever been involved in. NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete Prospective student-athlete questionnaire Student-athlete mental health and performance Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website Open Menu