PAC-12 Men's Tournament Thursday, March 10 2016

were disappointed. But, again, there is no quit in these guys. There wasn't any question in my mind. We came out in the second half and we wanted to be really George King aggressive on the ball screen coverage because in the Colorado first half I felt like they got downhill on us, they got the ball in the lane, and it makes it really tough on our big Arizona - 82, Colorado - 78 guys and our guards, quite frankly.

THE MODERATOR: Coach Boyle, comments, please? So we changed our ball screen coverage, which I think really helped us in the second half keep the ball out of COACH BOYLE: Yeah, obviously we're extremely the lane. If they're going to beat us, we were going to disappointed. We came here to win this tournament make them beat us with jump shots, but not certainly at and felt like we were in a good place mentally and the rim like they were having their way with us in the physically to do that, and we came up short tonight. first half.

It was a tale of two halves. I thought Arizona obviously Look, we outrebounded them, 51-35. It's something outplayed us convincingly in the first half, and I thought Coach Prioleau pointed out in the locker room with that's where we kind of lost the game, if you will. these guys, and that's you outrebound Arizona by 16, again, it says something about our fight and our But the one thing about our team is there is no give-up. toughness. But we couldn't finish as well as we They've got tremendous fight, tremendous resolve, and needed to finish tonight, bottom line, first half or second I'm really proud of the comeback that we staged to get half. But there are going to be nights like that, and ourselves back in the game. that's where you have to rely on your defense.

We could not get to the free-throw line, and that was It wasn't quite good enough tonight, but, again, I'm the difference in the game. We could not get there, really proud of our guys. and we were trying to get there. We didn't finish some baskets in the first half that I thought we could have Q. After your performance in the first half, did you finished. But we kept attacking, we kept plugging, and expect these guys to come out and drop 58 in the we made a great comeback. We just came up a little second? bit short. COACH BOYLE: It wasn't about that. We talked about we're not going to get back into this thing all at once. I'm extremely proud of our guys, and I told them in the We're going to get back in one possession at a time locker room I don't think this is the end of our season and by getting stops and clawing our way back in there, and we've got to pick our heads up. There is only one and that's what we did. So it wasn't about scoring 58 team leaving Las Vegas happy, and we're certainly not points. It wasn't about -- we've got to get stops and one of them. So disappointing. we've got to look to run, get the ball to the rim, be aggressive, get to the foul line. But listen, credit the University of Arizona. They're a good team, well-coached team, a tough team. Got a We did a better job of that in the second half. I don't lot of respect for their players, their coach and their know what the breakdown was on foul shots. I know program. When you lose to Arizona, there is no reason we shot 21-for-25, which is a really good percentage. to hang your head because they're a heck of a But we got there 25 times. They got there probably -- program. my guess is 34 times.

Q. When you guys went into halftime with that big THE MODERATOR: 44. deficit, what was the mood in there? What did you say to kind of inspire that? COACH BOYLE: Yeah, but that was after we started COACH BOYLE: Look, our guys were down. They fouling. I don't count those. When we're trying to foul

Rev #1 by #206 at 2016-03-11 01:21:00 GMT page 1 of 3 at the end, I don't count those at . I'm talking Q. Tad, you guys can now have a two or three day about when they're playing their regular defense and just sitting around waiting for the NCAA Selection we're playing our regular defense. Committee. Do you believe your resume is good enough to get you into the tournament? I'll go back and watch the film and figure that out. Not COACH BOYLE: Short answer is yes, and the realistic that it means anything. We were trying to get to the is it doesn't matter what I think. foul line, and sometimes we couldn't. Q. Josh, this was, barring a match-up later on in Q. Coach, like you mentioned, not the result you the NCAA Tournament, this is the last time you will wanted. However, being able to stage the play Arizona. Obviously with the excitement of the comeback the way you did, can this maybe keep second half, what was it like out there playing the momentum rolling for whatever comes next for them? And then looking back, can you think of any this team as opposed to if the game had stayed the moments that really stood out matching up with way it was going in the first half? them? COACH BOYLE: The thing about this team, and you JOSH SCOTT: It was just a physical, tough game like it followed us all year, but the one thing about this group always is with Arizona. They play incredibly hard. I of guys is they've shown resiliency all year long, and it have a lot of respect for a lot of the guys on their team hasn't always been peaches and cream for us. We've and how they do things. had some tough losses on the road. We had a really tough loss at home to Utah. Our only loss at home. In terms of moments, obviously any time you win against them, but I will always feel like it got stolen from But every time -- I would say except for maybe the LA my freshman year when the buzzer beater didn't count trip when we lost to USC and then we didn't bounce supposedly. But in the end they're a good team, and back against UCLA, that's the only time they haven't it's been fun competing against them my four years bounced back immediately. But we bounced back the here. next game against Arizona at home. Q. Coach, this time last year when you guys bowed The one thing about this team is they're resilient. I out of the tournament it was kind of a different don't worry about them giving their best effort or being tone. You said after the season there wasn't much ready to play. We don't always play well. We don't leadership on that squad. What's this say about always shoot the ball as well as we're capable or finish. the players on this team that you have right now and how they've grown in this past year from being We're not perfect but got great character and great devoid of leadership to now being guys of great toughness. I'll go to war with these guys. I mean, I character? love them, and we're extremely disappointed. We COACH BOYLE: Well, let me echo Josh's sentiment. came here and we really felt in our hearts we could win Sabatino's shot was good, just for the record, just to go this tournament. back there.

And I told our athletic director before the game, I said, One thing about Josh Scott and Xavier Talton, Eli Rick, I think if we win this game, if we can win this Stalzer, Brett Brady, we've got four seniors on this game, we can win this tournament. But we're not team, and we've got four terrific underclassmen as going to get that opportunity, and we'd like to have well. But those four seniors, there is no question in my another shot at Oregon. mind that last year's experience and what they went through, and especially Josh right here, they learned Q. Josh, I wanted to ask you a similar question. from that and they experienced it with us. They were Obviously you guys are disappointed. You wanted part of it. to come out here and win. But to score 58 points in the second half against Arizona and make that I've always said if you're not part of the solution, you're comeback, does it give you some confidence part of the problem. The one thing these guys did from heading into the rest of the postseason? a leadership standpoint, and it started in the spring and JOSH SCOTT: Sure, I mean, anytime you can score even in the summer months, is they took it upon like that I think, honestly, for me, it was just that we themselves to say we're not going to go back to where were getting stops. We were rebounding the ball even we were last year and that feeling. if we weren't finishing it, and that's all stuff we talk about it all the time with travels. So it's something we This is a completely different feeling than we had last can take into whoever we're playing next. year sitting here. Still disappointing, but I'm really proud of what Josh has done, the leadership he's

Rev #1 by #206 at 2016-03-11 01:21:00 GMT page 2 of 3 shown as well as our other three seniors. These four guys really deserve to finish their college career on a high note. And, boy, I sure hope we get that opportunity because we're a team that I don't think people are going to want to play. There's going to be a lot of good teams in this tournament, but we'll figure out if we're part of it. And if we are, we'll relish the opportunity.

Q. George, you had two really big games here in the postseason. How do you feel about your play right now, where is it at? GEORGE KING: It's okay. But it wasn't good enough to get the win done today.

Rev #1 by #206 at 2016-03-11 01:21:00 GMT page 3 of 3 PAC-12 Men's Basketball Tournament Thursday, March 10 2016 Sean Miller

Ryan Anderson Q. Ryan, you've been in conference tournaments before. What's it like and how reflective are you Allonzo Trier about the places you've been and how much are Arizona you just trying to take in the moment at this conference tournament? Arizona - 82, Colorado - 78 RYAN ANDERSON: Yeah, I think at the end of everything, when everything's over this year, it will all THE MODERATOR: Coach, some opening comments kind of soak in on other places I've been and the about the game? moments I've shared with all my teammates and stuff.

COACH MILLER: First, I would like to congratulate But right now, as Coach Miller said, we're focused on Colorado on a terrific season. I know they're going to tomorrow. We have a really tough test, a tough, really be a part of this year's NCAA Tournament. Their ability good Oregon team, so I am not really thinking too to and score inside and Tad Boyle and his much about the whole grand scheme of things right staff, to me they're some of 's best. now. I'm kind of focused on this next game tomorrow. It's going to be a tough one. They get the most out of their team this year, and they're a hard team to defeat because of their effort Q. How do you come out of this game feeling? level and their togetherness and outstanding on the First half you guys at times looked spectacular. I glass. They really are. They're the best rebounding know you were frustrated with some of the team in our conference. They did to us -- I don't know changes that happened in the second half. What is if a team that I've been a part of have suffered that type your mood about this victory? of beating on the glass that we did, especially in the COACH MILLER: Well, I really was very excited about second half. That's to Colorado's credit. our team at halftime. Thought defense was as good as it's been all year. You could see we had a group that Q. Sean, I want to jump ahead and talk Oregon. I was committed and really played with tremendous know you've only played them once this year, it energy. We decided to trap the post more. Thought it was down in Tucson. It's been a while since then. was effective. We were more effective on their ball Is there anything you've seen in the way they've screens than we were in Boulder. I thought that was been playing down the stretch that you feel like you effective. can adjust to them that gives you an edge against Oregon? But like everything, it's the players, their energy, shot COACH MILLER: Not really. Allonzo did not play blocks, guys really -- but they were 0-for-5 from the against them last time and he's available this time. But three-point line at the half, and a lot of that had to do Oregon, they spread you out offensively and they have with our defense. My message was very singular at a very high skill level. They put their players in a halftime: This year in our best and worst moments, position to be successful driving, shooting, seem to we've been a one-half team. We've sometimes not always be able to pick on the mismatch. been very good in the first half, especially defensively, and we have a way of fighting and turning it around. We had a very difficult time guarding them in Tucson, You lose a hard-fought battle, and you leave feeling and I think a lot of teams that have played Oregon this good because you know you can do it. year have fallen into that category. They're just an excellent offensive team. They're disciplined with the But it's really plagued us through 31 games. I mean, if way they play, but they get you in transition. They're you win 25, obviously a lot of good things have also an outstanding offensive rebounding team. They happened, but if you hold our team to the standards of take care of the ball. They have great balance. On a the past at Arizona or you look at us as competing for given night, different players can beat you, but Dillon this tournament's championship, we're not going to be Brooks certainly always seems to be one of them. able to advance and be the same team that we've

Rev #1 by #206 at 2016-03-11 01:37:00 GMT page 1 of 3 been. RYAN ANDERSON: Yeah, kind of what Allonzo said. I question our effort wholeheartedly in the second half. Our fans are our sixth man out there. They really help Question -- I think they scored 58 points in the second us out and bring us a lot of energy, especially even in half. And their second shots, I mean, they shot 45 the first half when things are rolling. It's great to hear shots from the field in the second half, and we shot 17. them loud. And then when we need them in crunch I haven't been a part of a game like that. moments, they're always there for us too. So it's going to be nice having them here tomorrow. Hopefully they But our guys certainly did not play hard. They didn't can come loud again, and hopefully we can play better play together in the second half defensively. We got to in both halves. the foul line, made free throws against a desperate team that was playing for their postseason lives. Q. Coach, I just wanted to ask you about Gabe York. He's obviously been this go-to guy for you. So, I guess if you're the coach, you can look at it this One of the players in the locker room even way: Hey, everything's fine. We're in the semifinals described him as clutch just now. Can you speak against Oregon. Awesome job. We advanced. A lot of about it a little bit and has he always been that guy teams would have loved to. Or you can really say our or is it something that developed in recent years? effort level is as bad as I've ever seen in the last 20 COACH MILLER: Gabe York is somebody that we're minutes. I choose to focus on the second one. very proud of as a freshman. Although he played on a very, very good team, he did not have a role, per se. Q. At one point you guys had a commitment from There were many games where he didn't play, and he Tyler Dorsey, eventually you end up getting one stayed with us. His determination, his belief in our from Allonzo sort of in his place almost. Is it fair to program, his family's determination and belief in that say that's worked out well for both parties in a lot what we have is something that is special. of ways? COACH MILLER: Yes, it wasn't Allonzo or Tyler in Gabe then worked and became a significant part on fairness to both of those kids. There was a lot of two excellent teams, both who had a chance to win the moving parts, and each of us, Oregon and Arizona, are National Championship. Two Pac-12 regular season trying to bring a recruiting class to the table. In today's winners and a tournament winner a year ago. But in fast-moving world, players and prospects make quick his second and third year, again, his role grew. And if decisions. Sometimes they do it early in the process. you look at him this year, he's an All-Conference player. A lot of them wait until the spring. What he did in McKale Center this past weekend I But we respect, I respect, Tyler Dorsey and his family a haven't seen ever. I mean, he put us on his back and great, great deal. I knew that when he made his just had two incredible performances. I thought it was commitment to Oregon that that would really work out a spectacular way for a great kid and a terrific player to because I think his style of play and 's end their career. But we're very proud of him. style as a coach and the way the Ducks play is a really good fit for him. We need all of these guys -- now that we're in the month of March, we're playing single-elimination Allonzo has done very well here for us. But it wasn't an basketball -- to be with us on offense and defense and either/or. It may look like that, but I'm just happy for be at their best. We're going to rely a lot on Gabe, Tyler that it's worked out the way it did for him. On our we're going to rely a lot on Ryan and Kaleb, and we end, obviously, we're very pleased with Allonzo. relied on all three of those guys in the second half of today's game. Q. In standing with tradition, your fans filled this place. Obviously it's a sold-out tournament. Can Sometimes it works, but sometimes all of us have to you talk about how their influence, how they got take the responsibility that we have been given and fired up at the end when the game was getting a know that we have to give tremendous effort. If you do little close influenced you and what that support that and you lose, I think, fine, you move on. We're means to you guys? going to play in the NCAA Tournament, which is an ALLONZO TRIER: I think they did a great job today, accomplishment in and of itself and you feel good especially in the second half when were we were about it and you're ready to go. But if you don't give down. They brought us energy and they brought us great effort -- question about our fans, I get very passion. It was really key what they did, and they disappointed because our players sometimes don't helped us finish out what wasn't a good half for us and know what it's like on the other side when there aren't a helped us finish out the game. lot of fans there. Our fans are always there. One thing

Rev #1 by #206 at 2016-03-11 01:37:00 GMT page 2 of 3 that all of our fans deserve is outstanding effort.

And our first half was an example of that. Not just because of what the score was, but nobody could accuse this team of not playing hard. That's what we did. In the second half, unfortunately, we put Colorado -- and Colorado deserves a lot of credit, but they had a chance to win the game.

Q. 9-for-10 from the line in the second half. And so many games this time of year are decided by late free throws when you're tired and when momentum is shifting. What is the difference between making a free throw in that situation and earlier in the game for you? Do you have to kind of concentrate more on routine? How do you handle those free throws? RYAN ANDERSON: Every day in practice Coach Miller always tells us when we're shooting free throws that free throws win championships, free throws win games. So when you put pressure on yourself in practice to make them, you go through your routine, I think Allonzo and all the other players would agree, whether it's the beginning of the game or end of the game, you kind of rely on your preparation and your routine that you've done every single day.

So I think it goes back to our practices. Putting pressure on yourself to make them in practice. When you're used to it like that, hopefully your routine stays true in the moments when you need it to.

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