NCAA Men's Regional Semifinals and Finals: Louisville Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Louisville, Kentucky

Tony Bennett : No. I'm all about the team. We have a blast trying to pursue a championship, and these are Kyle Guy moments that we're never going to forget and moments we're trying to cherish.

Ty Jerome Q. Ty, how much do you watch other teams maybe on the west coast during the season, and what all De'Andre Hunter do you know about Oregon? : Yeah, I've only seen Oregon once in the Pac-12 Championship. They beat Washington pretty Virginia Cavaliers good, and I know they're hot. I know they're tall across the board. They have a really good and a THE MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the lot of guys that can make shots. Cavaliers are on their way to the dais here in the interview room. As soon as these guys get settled, So I know they're playing really good defense as of late we'll get under way. We'll open it to questions from the too. So like Dre said, it will be a good challenge for us. floor for the Virginia student-athletes. But we feel like we have a really good attack and we're excited. Q. De'Andre, they have four starters at 6'9". I guess Florida State might be a comp of a team you Q. Ty, this is a team that likes to also play at a see. What are the challenges when you face a slower pace, tempo-wise. Does that present an team with that kind of size, kind of across the advantage to you guys, or is it something you kind board? of thrive in slowing down teams that maybe aren't DE'ANDRE HUNTER: That means they'll be good used to being slowed down? defensively, probably. They'll probably switch a lot of TY JEROME: I think that they probably want to play at things. Their length will definitely bother us. We'll have a similar pace. But for us, it's always about trying to to box out, but I feel like we'll be fine. get the best shot possible. So if that comes quicker on the shot clock, that's fine. Or if that comes late, that's Q. Kyle, this is a place you guys are familiar fine too. playing, and coming from Columbia, you had an away game there this season. What kind of benefit And then it's always about just trying to make them does that have? The 3-point shooting hasn't take a tough shot. That's our motto, make them take a always been kind to you here. How does it play tough shot and get a good shot. Whatever pace that into preparation this week? comes at, we're fine with. KYLE GUY: There's always an advantage to having played in a gym before. Shooting will come and go, Q. Kyle, I know you said you're all about the team that's why we play defense at Virginia. So we still and you certainly demonstrated that. But when shoot with confidence, and I didn't even shoot it good you have a shooting night like you did the other last game and these guys are still feeding me. As long night, does that make you eager to get back out as we have the confidence in each other, we're fine. there and give it another shot? KYLE GUY: Yeah, absolutely. I think when my shots Q. Kyle, Coach has urged you guys to really take aren't falling, I try to help the team in other ways, joy in winning and in the process as a team. whether it's play a little bit harder on defense or try to Is it hard at all to reconcile that with maybe after create for others. Or even just my presence on the Sunday, maybe you didn't have your greatest floor sometimes gets guys open because they're not personal shooting performance. Is it hard to going to help off of me, even if I am shooting 0 for 10. So that helps the team. reconcile that? I'm eager to get back on the court. I think we all are,

Rev #1 by #174 at 2019-03-27 18:38:00 GMT page 1 of 5 and excited for the game. experience influence or inform the way you approach being a No. 1 seed this year, and does it Q. De'Andre, could you talk a little bit about your make you feel that it's any more delicate or thoughts about this building and some of your tenuous than a lot of people might expect? feelings about how you've played here over the THE MODERATOR: Ty, do you want to go first, please? years? DE'ANDRE HUNTER: I feel like I've played well here. TY JEROME: I think the way we approached our first But it's a new year, new game, so I don't know. I'm just game against Gardner-Webb, we had a whole different looking forward to playing again and having the approach to it. We knew how good everybody in the opportunity to play with my teammates. whole tournament was, and Gardner-Webb still came out and punched us in the mouth. We are able to Q. Jack, Ty said something last week about being remain calm because we knew we were going to be in excited because this was his first Sweet 16. You've a dogfight. been through this before. You've seen this kind of advance. What have you tried to let the guys know At this point in the tournament, everyone is playing at now that you're officially making a deep run in the such a high level, you would be crazy to underestimate tournament? What advice did you have for them? everyone. Last year's tournament experience kind of -- JACK SALT: Yeah, I just try to have their backs all the we kind of forgot about it already. time. Especially guys my position. Mamadi and Jay, they've been playing well over the past two games. Q. Jack, can you talk a little bit about Mamadi and Just giving them any advice I can. It's pretty awesome Jay and their improvement? And why do you think to be back here after three years. they've gotten so much better toward the end of the season? Anything in particular? Q. Just want to get -- two hours away from JACK SALT: Those two have both been playing Indianapolis. What's the ticket request been like amazing over the past two games. They've been doing and how excited are you to perform in front of a good job on defense, scrambling and cleaning up on everybody? the boards, blocking shots. They've switched on. It's KYLE GUY: I always have a lot of ticket requests awesome to see guys like that. Even though, in my whenever I'm around home, so looking forward to that. position -- they're in my position. They're playing over It's nice to be playing close to home for me. So it will me. We're winning games, so I couldn't be more be a good turnout for my family and friends. happier.

At the end of the day, we're here to win no Q. I'm going to concede up front, this is a dumb matter where we're at. question. But we've seen UVA fans take over Raleigh. We've seen them come in force to Q. Kyle, to that point, how many have you had, Charlotte and other places. I think the crowd requests for this game and what's the most you've presence in Columbia was maybe a little less than ever had? Because you have a pretty good some of us expected. entourage that tends to follow. In honesty, to you, Ty, do you get the sense maybe KYLE GUY: For this weekend, I told everyone to buy UVA fans were waiting for the second weekend to tickets. If I had tickets, maybe they could make some really show up in force? Based on ticket requests money on the side scalping. But this year, I had 85 and things like that, are you sensing that they may people here when we played here. be coming in force like they have in the past to some other places? Q. Ty, it seems as if the team has played better in the second halves than the first halves of late, TY JEROME: Based on ticket requests, the only maybe earlier in the season. To what do you requests, I get are my family and close friends. So attribute it, the halftime talks, whatever? they're here every round or every game they possibly TY JEROME: I think it's a testament to our coaches, can be. But I don't know what fans are thinking or why doing a great job of making halftime adjustments. And we didn't get a great turnout in Columbia. just everybody staying calm at half and understanding that as long as we're in striking distance, we'll be all But, I don't know, we were fortunate to move on and right. And just following the adjustments that the we've got to focus on the game and not the stands. coaches make for us and coming out with confidence in the second half no matter what the score is. THE MODERATOR: Guy, thanks for your time. Good luck. Q. For any of the players, how does last year's

Rev #1 by #174 at 2019-03-27 18:38:00 GMT page 2 of 5 Coach Bennett is on his way to the dais. As Coach only those of us who have been part of last year's team gets settled, we're going to go to the floor to take and been through this year and all the things were questions. We want to welcome the Cavs to Louisville there can appreciate it. We'll be bonded for life by this and we'll go ahead and get the microphones ready and experience. start with questions from the floor. We just had fun with it, saying, you know, that was Q. Coach, how much does it mean, having gotten there. They had to kind of fight through it. And so through the first weekend and now getting to this coming into the locker room and saying, all right, that stage? Is there any benefit, anything that can carry part is gone or you've gotten past that, I think we've over? talked about all the time. There's the joy of COACH BENNETT: Well, I think everybody who's competition, the fun in pursuing a championship. gotten to this point is playing at a high level. Everybody's highly motivated. Everybody is playing But there's still a focus, and there's still expectations well to advance to this point. and, you know, pressures and all that there. I think that they could get over that obstacle, I think, was I think us, having to overcome a shaky start against a significant. They'll have that with them. very good Gardner-Webb team and facing that and showing some resiliency, I hope the way we had to play Now, coming into the Oklahoma game, I thought we to advance and then against Oklahoma will carry over. played early better. We were more efficient. We're You're going to need that again to continue to advance. going to have to do that here. Again, advancing, it's another step and I think there's excitement. Q. Tony, they have four starters listed at 6'9". Are there any similarities to Florida State with them, So it does feel a bit different than -- I think you'd ask just with their length and size? And just kind of any program that -- but ours, than your first round how do you counter that kind of a lineup? games. So to advance is excitement. COACH BENNETT: Their size is impressive. Terrific point guard. When we played Duke, when Jones was Q. Kind of a follow-up, do you feel unburdened by out, they went -- they were big and long like that. And getting this far after what happened last year? And then Florida State, that length. how do you process going forward the challenges that still remain? Their defensive numbers have been terrific in this. COACH BENNETT: Yeah, I think it's like -- to advance, They're hot, obviously. They've won ten in a row and certainly to win the first round game after last year's their numbers are really good in terms of turning situation, you had to look that in the eye. It was ironic. people over, percentage, defense. We were a 1 seed again in that setting. And then to be down 14 points. I think a lot of it has to do with their system defensively, what they're doing and I think their quickness and But the guys, to have responded with the season they length. That's just something that they can close on had and to have the year they had to be co-champs in shooters, plug gaps, and they're interchangeable parts, a league, the ACC that has five teams, obviously we which makes it challenging. know, in the Sweet 16, having to go on the road and play that many games, that to me was an answer that So you've obviously got to try to get shots, you've got was responding in the right way. Then there was to be good with the ball offensively. You've got to take another step of responding in a challenging, tough care of it when they pressure you and, of course, be as setting in the first round, second round. good as you can defensively against them. That's why team -- you can see it. There's not many easy looks And here we are. I think certainly, there's an out there. You have to look for them. enjoyment and a freedom in it, but there's also a desire to play well and advance again. Q. Tony, we heard from some of the players after the Oklahoma game, you came in the locker room Burdened, unburdened, doesn't really matter in my and had a stuffed monkey on your back and pulled opinion. You just step up to the challenge that's there. it off. You have joy in it, you have focus in it, and you got to Do you feel now you're in the second weekend in be able to look both victory and defeat in the eye and the tournament, has there been a shift in energy in say, it's a possibility and go forward. the guys? I think that's the best way to be, and our guys have COACH BENNETT: We just had fun with that. Again, worked very hard to get to this spot. Obviously, everyone here is desperate to advance.

Rev #1 by #174 at 2019-03-27 18:38:00 GMT page 3 of 5 an open shot. I mean, he obviously did that. Even Q. Tony, a lot of times in the past, I know your dad when he wasn't hitting, he took good shots. Of course, has given you a golden nugget before you go to a you get extra shots, you work a little bit on your tournament. Has he said anything to you this year mechanics. But you step to the moment and shoot it. I about how to approach things or any special little think he'll be equipped. I'll give him the confidence messages? certainly to take good shoots, but I'll give him the COACH BENNETT: He always gives me great insight instruction to play well defensively, play strong with the and messages. He doesn't watch the games, every ball, help this team lead. That's what good players do. now and then. I don't even know if he's going to be That's how you help your team, so that will be my here, if he's going to come to the games. He didn't last advice. week. That's always a game-time decision. Q. Coach, you've won four of the last five here in But he's been a rock for me over my career, as so Louisville, rallying for the last two. How much of many have. But he's helped me, and I think only as we that can be an advantage now that you're playing talk about last time, parents understand and bleed or here at this level this weekend? feel for their children in ways that the rest don't. COACH BENNETT: We've had some more here. I can remember the one we lost, the bank shot by -- So when he tells me things, I know it's trusted. And the fact that he's been through it as a coach, that he's THE MODERATOR: Mangok. coached teams to a Final Four, he's had first round defeats, all that in between, is invaluable. COACH BENNETT: Yeah, you were there; you remember. We've certainly had some battles. You're But there isn't anything specific that stands out. I think in, I guess, a familiar setting. I haven't gone out on the he just wants -- I think he's thankful and wants to us floor. I'm sure it's obviously going to be a different floor keep playing well. and all that.

Q. Tony, talking with Jack and also , they I don't know how that will affect us, but we've been in compared Oregon's collection of size and length to bigger pictures, we've been in tough games where Louisville as far as the teams that you've seen that we've been down in possession games where you've are similar, matchup zone. How valid is that and had to not unravel and just stay the course, find a stop, how do you prepare for a team with four 6'9"s? get a score and just keep plugging so you don't panic COACH BENNETT: We talked about Florida State, or you don't change too much who you are unless Duke, Louisville. I don't know if Louisville is that long. there's little adjustments. It's unique. I think their zone is different, or their -- you look at it, say I think they might be man-to-man I think those experiences, whether it was Louisville this sometimes. I think they're zone. It's very effective. All year or in games in the tournament or during the year, experiences help, but I don't think there's a team that that's the stuff you look at and you certainly try not to plays their kind of defense in our league. get in those spots. But that's tournament play.

So, again, you study film and you try to come up with a Q. You had a semi-miraculous victory here last game plan and go after it and know you're going to see year. -- I think the -- I don't know if anybody is quite that long COACH BENNETT: Yeah. and that athletic or has someone as athletic as their interior player in Wooten. Q. When the bracket goes up, does that stick in your mind? Does that give you comfort, knowing Q. Tony, with Kyle looking to bounce back how you've come through in this building? shooting-wise from Sunday, do you feel -- because COACH BENNETT: I really didn't think about that. as a player you were also a very efficient shooter, Yeah, we had some amazing -- a comeback win and do you feel equipped to sort of help him with that things like that. But, honestly, I didn't think about that. sort of thing? I didn't even, quite honestly, know where -- I saw, hey, COACH BENNETT: I think Kyle played -- you know, he we're going to Columbia and I didn't even look past missed shots. But what I like is he played well. He got that. That's how it was. to the lane, he passed well, he guarded hard. It's about the whole game. Yep, we're going to have make But to be here, obviously, and have played in this some shots, of course. facility is good. We played South Carolina, coincidentally, in -- so we were in that facility. We I think he's not going to be cautious or anxious to shoot played them this year on the road.

Rev #1 by #174 at 2019-03-27 18:38:00 GMT page 4 of 5 Q. Tony, Mamadi and Jay have talked about how So to be in a place that you've been, you maybe their confidence and other non-traditional aspects understand the feel a little bit, can't be a bad thing. of their game and discipline have been helped by working with Tom Perrin over the past season. Q. Do you ever have a game, one of your games What have you observed in those areas that's end early, maybe at home, and will you turn on the helped them develop as we've gone along? TV and watch one of the Pac-12 games to check -- COACH BENNETT: I think there's such a development COACH BENNETT: Here's what I understand. When I with players in the mental side of the game. was at Washington State, and I got the job at Virginia, I Sometimes just processing things with others outside think the majority of people are like, who is this, who's of it has been good. this guy? Tom's been great with them, and I said it early in the Again, they knew the name from, obviously, the singer, year, Mamadi is an X-factor for us and Jay and different but that's about it. Half the time, everybody's in bed guys have. when the Pac -- well, it was Pac-10 when I was there -- the Pac-12 are playing games. But when guys aren't playing 35 minutes, 30 minutes a game and their roles are -- sometimes they're coming But I have great respect for Oregon and for Coach off the bench and it's hit or miss. You have to be Altman. Dana's done a terrific job. What he's done strong-minded to be successful in that and be in the with his team to kind of change things and win ten moment and learn what -- you know, how to process games. I obviously watch them. But I don't watch a success and failure because you're in a limited window. ton of other games, any other conference, really, unless it's just bits and pieces of it. I think Tom has helped those guys in that, and those guys have helped themselves by how they've just So I understand, like you said -- all you got to do is stayed after it. They've been about the team and watch them and see what they've done in the last they've worked. And that's a pretty consistent formula number of games to appreciate and respect their for players that are good. caliber of play. THE MODERATOR: Coach, thanks for your time today. Q. Tony, Mike Curtis has talked before about the Good luck. communication with you in putting together his program and what he does. I'm curious, from your COACH BENNETT: Thank you. point of view, what does he do this time of year to keep the guys fresh, not overwork them? And particularly I'm interested in when you're playing two games in a weekend, what he does in the day in between that kind of keeps them fresh but doesn't overdo it. Just what goes into that? COACH BENNETT: I think your strength and conditioning coaches are invaluable and your athletic trainer, Ethan Saliba and Mike Curtis. They've been unbelievable all year, getting our guys as healthy as they can to recover after games.

We just talk about the load and all that stuff. But you have to prepare hard. You have to compete. But then you have to be wise, you know, duration.

Intensity is usually not something that varies up and down. Duration. Be prepared, not do too much or too little. That's where he gives a good balance. He's been a Godsend for us ever since -- he's been with me the whole time, ten years, and he's cutting edge in everything he does. He's made incredible strides with our players in terms of their -- not just their bodies but their health and he's one of the best.

Rev #1 by #174 at 2019-03-27 18:38:00 GMT page 5 of 5 NCAA Men's Regional Semifinals and Finals: Louisville Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Louisville, Kentucky Virginia Cavaliers Quick Quotes

Q. Confidence-wise, what's the morale like right now? KIHEI CLARK: We're good. Everybody is locked in, everybody is ready to go. Have a good practice today and getting ready for tomorrow.

Q. Being a freshman, what's this like? Sweet 16 for you, how exciting is this? KIHEI CLARK: It's really exciting. You dream of this your whole life, watching this when you're younger. So I'm ready to go, and I'm pretty stoked.

Q. What's the message from some of the upperclassmen to kind of take in this experience? It's a bigger stage, obviously, Sweet 16. KIHEI CLARK: Just being focused and ready to go. It's just another game, but just coming out and doing my job and making sure I'm locked in.

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