NCAA Men's Regional Semifinals and Finals: Washington D.C. Saturday, March 30, 2019 Washington D.C.

please? Mike Krzyzewski TRE JONES: They're a really experienced team. They've got big guys inside. They're physical and Tre Jones strong. And they've got perimeter players that are athletic as well. So they're a really good defensive RJ Barrett team, like you said. Zion Williamson Q. RJ? RJ BARRETT: Yeah, definitely an experienced team. Duke Blue Devils So they definitely know what to do. They have a great coach. They have a great program. So they're THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Duke head coach definitely a great defensive team. Mike Krzyzewski and student-athletes Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Tre Jones. Q. RJ, you personally, what have you learned, or what do you know about your dad's college COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Obviously we're honored to be basketball career? And generally what has he in the Elite Eight and excited about the opportunity to meant to your basketball? play against a storied program and coach in Michigan RJ BARRETT: I remember him transitioning from just State and Tom Izzo. Our guys have really done a good being a dunker to being able to hit some 3s later in his job. Hopefully we can recover real quick. It hasn't college career. And I mean he's just been a great been too many hours ago since we were here. influence for me. He's kind of gone through this college experience. So he's been able to help me just And so that's part of our preparation is to try to get as that way. fresh as possible for what we expect to be an outstanding game tomorrow afternoon. So, any Q. How so? questions? RJ BARRETT: Just being in my ear and giving me confidence and just being my dad, really. Q. Zion, but any other players may chime in they wish. Zion, you undoubtedly had an opportunity to Q. Zion, there were a lot of Virginia Tech fans in the go to any number of colleges. I'm wondering why building yesterday. Obviously some booing, but you selected Duke. Was it the tradition? Was it obviously certainly some Duke fans and probably a that you've seen players get prepared for the NBA? lot of Zion fans. Now, you've had some big Was it a chance to exchange dazzling repartee with individual performances kind of around the country Coach K? this year, from New York to here, Hawaii. Have you ZION WILLIAMSON: It was kind of like all the above. been able to reflect just on how much of a national And also I watched Duke growing up. I think the opportunity to play for Coach K is something that I kind of following you've grown this year? couldn't turn down. And then also I had a great ZION WILLIAMSON: What's the exact question? relationship with RJ, Tre and Cam already. And we would be in a group message talking about like trying Q. Have you been able to reflect on the national to do something special. following you've gotten as a college freshman and how likable you are to a lot of people? And also Coach K is the greatest. So he knows how to ZION WILLIAMSON: No, I haven't thought about that at get players better. And he'll, like, tell you your game in all. I'm just enjoying my college experience with my a way you never looked at it. And so there were so brothers and with Coach K and the coaches. And I many factors that went into selecting Duke. think it would be kind of selfish of me to think about that. Q. Can you give us your thoughts after seeing film what you think of the Spartans' defensive tenacity, But I'm just trying to make the most of this opportunity and hopefully win a national championship.

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 19:39:00 GMT page 1 of 6 have a great motor. So they're a great team. Their Q. Zion and Tre, do you remember watching any bigs are very great as well. So we're just going to have Duke-Michigan State games growing up and how to try our best to contain them. big of a matchup this tends to be in the NCAA Tournament? And how much are you looking Q. Zion, you continue to say that Coach K had seen forward to being part of one? things in your game that you may have not seen in TRE JONES: I remember obviously 2015, the yourself. What are some of those things? matchup, the Final Four. But they have a really good ZION WILLIAMSON: I don't know if I want to talk about program, similar to Duke, that they have a winning that. It's kind of a coach/player -- (laughter). tradition and they have a really good coach as well. So it will be a good battle tomorrow. Q. Tre, can you describe your impressions of Zion when you would see, like, the YouTube dunk videos ZION WILLIAMSON: I remember watching the 2011 in high school? And kind of how different that is Duke-Michigan State game with Kyrie Irving, and also from when you play with him and understanding the 2015 Final Four and both games were great. I the feel he has for the game? mean both programs have a winning history. So it's TRE JONES: I heard about him before. Probably the always going to be a great game. rest of you heard about him through YouTube and things like that. Coach actually told me about him Q. Zion, you just called coach the greatest of all before I even got the chance to meet him and said how time. And, Tre, you actually said that same good of a player he was and that I will probably be sentence last week on campus. Take us inside the seeing all of his highlights one day of him dunking and program. What do you guys see that we can't see things like that. But that he can really play, he can that makes him the greatest in your mind? pass the ball extremely well. He's a really good COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I control their playing time. playmaker. (Laughter). So, when Coach says that, obviously that's going to be ZION WILLIAMSON: I mean, a lot. He sees the game my first impressions, too, because how well Coach in the ways that, like, I would have never even have knows the game and how smart he is. thought of. And like when he makes one play call, it's not for that like play, it's like trying to give us Q. Tre, what are your impressions of Cassius momentum for like the next three or four plays. Winston going into this game? TRE JONES: He has an extremely high IQ. He's a And I think the way he's able to adjust every year with really good point guard, lead guard for them. He has different teams and different players, and the way he's the ball a lot for them. He's a playmaker. He makes all able to always keep us motivated, like, for every single the decisions for them. So just going to try to make the game, I think is second to none. game as tough as I can on him.

Q. Any of the players, Coach mentioned the Q. Zion, I had asked RJ about you before the first challenge of not playing with Cam, that you day you got here. I'll return the favor. What might prepared with him all week and you weren't able to we not see about RJ that you know? What makes play with him last night. What was that challenge him such a top flight player? like, and will your game plan change as players if ZION WILLIAMSON: His ability to affect the game in he's not able to play Sunday? multiple ways and his killer mentality. Like, RJ, as you RJ BARRETT: Definitely missing Cam out there. It's saw yesterday, went into the half with like seven assists tough to have a game plan and then couple minutes and for anybody that thinks that's an off half, you're before tip-off see that he's out. But we've gone through responsible for seven baskets, like, that's not a off half. so much adversity that we were able to step up last night. And just moving forward, whether he plays or he In the second half, at one point he single-handedly took doesn't, we're going to have to give everything we've the game over. And his will to win, I think that's the got. best thing about him. He wants to win and no matter what he has to do he's going to do it. Q. Zion, Michigan State has some big guys up front, front line. You've faced big guys before. Q. Zion, you're a physical player, you enjoy the What do you see in their front line and the physicality of the game. Is there a sense of challenge that awaits? excitement knowing you're going to play a team ZION WILLIAMSON: They're very aggressive and that likes the physical side of the game just as physical and they rebound the ball very well. And they much as you do?

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 19:39:00 GMT page 2 of 6 ZION WILLIAMSON: I'm excited for every game. But, yeah, I guess you can say I'm excited about that, There should be -- we should already have a plan. because they're a great team. They have a winning And I think what you do is, the NBA has a plan, then history. I'm excited to play against Michigan State. we have a plan. And you say, well, do they mesh? Like, that's why you come to college, to be a part of Okay. Oh, that's pretty good, your plan. In other games like this. words, we work a little bit better than our government, where we don't just sit on both sides of the aisle. THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Questions for Coach. But to work together for the good of the game and -- Q. Could we start with a quick injury update on the game is good if we take care of the kids who play it. Cam? Obviously, it's not been long that you've And we're in this really changing time that it behooves been here. us to be ahead of it. And that's why, to comment on COACH KRZYZEWSKI: It will be a game-time what's going to happen, we don't know what's going to decision. He's getting treatment today. We've really happen. But we should be figuring that out in a not been on the court yet. And after we stretch and -- smoother way. we're not going to really do anything physical today; we've got to be careful. But just to see how he feels. And I would really be a proponent for all of you to push that issue in whatever way you think it is. I'm not telling And we'll see. If he's progressed, we might try to get you what to do. But that needs to happen. It can't be, him to shoot. But we haven't done that yet. well, they're going -- what does that mean? What does it mean? How are we doing all this? And so that's Q. Is there a diagnosis? what I would like to see happen. COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Yeah, he's had a little bit of problem with his knee. It's not structural. It's not Q. Following up on Pete's question, if this does structural -- nothing structural. And a jumper's knee, a happen, how for -- tendonitis. I guess there are a number of different COACH KRZYZEWSKI: It's going to happen. things. At different times it can inhibit you, or you feel pretty good and then you can play. Or you can work Q. How would you and other coaches have to kind yourself through it. But yesterday we weren't able to do of change how you evaluate and recruit high that. school players, if at all? COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Tell me the environment that Q. One big-picture question. This is not on the we're going to be in. That's what I'm saying. We don't forefront on your mind right now facing Michigan know that environment. I don't know that environment. State in 24 hours, but 2021 or '22, the NBA draft I don't know what a youngster, how a youngster will be rule changes. A couple of these guys sitting here taken care of. wouldn't play for Duke or anyone very likely as things would go -- Is the G League advanced? Do they have a TV COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Or maybe more would. You contract? Look, if it gets to that -- if a kid coming out of know? I don't think that it's a done deal that everyone high school does not go to college and get marketed -- will do that because a big thing about going to the NBA I would think the NBA would want to market. So is is staying in the NBA and trying to be prepared once there another form of TV there that the NCAA is then you go in there, not just physically but emotionally. competing against?

And I applaud and I'm glad the kids will be given the All these things -- those are, to me, fundamental issues opportunity to make a decision. Am I ready to do that? here that need to be looked at. And I don't see any The other thing, I would hope that the powers to be -- discussion about those. I don't know. Do you? that the NBA will be well-prepared. The NCAA is not prepared right now. They need to be in concert with Q. No. the NBA in developing a plan that is specific for men's COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I don't see anything. These college basketball. are fundamental things that are going to happen because the NBA is a business. It's an amazing And that should include what an athlete gets, how he's business. They're going to have a model. They're been taken care of, whether or not there's a reentry if going to have a model. What's our model? And how something -- really, it's deep. And if we only look at it do we cooperate with them and the players shallow, then we're doing a disservice to the kids. And association. that's why I would hope that the NCAA has someone leading this to figure it all out. Q. You've had Zion for a relatively short period of

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 19:39:00 GMT page 3 of 6 time. You used to see a kid grow and mature over And it's a huge advantage. It's a huge advantage. And four years. What have you learned in that short Michigan State has it with Winston, and we have it with period of time that may have surprised you about Tre. him, not necessarily as a player, but as a person? COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Yeah, you know, I knew he Q. Four games in March teams have had was a great kid, coming from a really good family and possessions with the final shot that could have community. He was a kid that was asked to play at all beaten you. All four failed. Are you guys just these prep schools and all that. He loved his high living right? Is it the basketball gods? Where is school and his community. But having the opportunity the horseshoe? What is it? not just to coach him but to get to know him, he is such COACH KRZYZEWSKI: No, I think we've played the a genuine young man and well, and well advanced whole game. And yesterday, there are different things maturity-wise. He's extremely intelligent book-wise but that happened in that last 30 seconds. We have to people-wise. And he's humble. play three defensive possessions with 29 seconds and then the ball went out of bounds and they stepped on He's really got everything. This is not a phony guy. the line out of bounds. So it should have been our ball. And he's more than a dunker; he's a lot more than a And but it's not a reviewable thing because only one dunker. He's a very, very special human being and guy went out of bounds. player. So we knew it was out of bounds, so our guys had to Q. A lot of the spotlight I feel nationally is on Zion be tough enough, okay, now do it again. Then it goes and RJ. Do you think Tre gets enough credit for off your hands. And then they run a great play and what he does for the team? And kind of a two-part Zion did enough on it where he was not going to the question; how similar or not is he to his brother? basket, he was going away. And therefore he was COACH KRZYZEWSKI: We're not in control of -- we short. give credit. We're not in control of how you give credit. So if you want to change that, you change it. Right? So there's a lot that goes into it. But playing the entire No, I mean, we're not -- I'm not knocking you. I'm just game until the end is the thing. And then you accept saying that's the way it is. the outcome. And obviously the outcome has been good for us or else I wouldn't have the pleasure of But internally he gets a lot of credit, because he's as spending time with you all today, you know. important a player as we have. He's very similar to his brother as far as just rock-solid person, teammate, Q. A few weeks ago when Tom won his 600th game smart. They're a little bit different at that age. Tre is a he cautioned fans and media to relax, it was half of better defender. Tyus was a better shooter, although what you had. And college basketball is such a not necessarily a better shooter than last night. cut-throat industry; a guy you compete with, Champions Classic, NCAA Tournament, recruits, And they're big-time moment players. They're not for you two to have the relationship you do is very afraid of the moment. They react really well. And in unique in the culture of college basketball. Could the history of our program there's not been anybody you talk about that friendship? who has been any better in the last couple minutes of a COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I think because we're both in it game in one season than Tyus was. At the end of for not -- we're not the only ones, but we're both in it for games he was -- he was good all the time but at the the love of the game and the love of kids and more old end of games he pretty much was perfect for us. school. Like we both get paid a lot of money now, a lot. But we didn't get it in for that. We got in it because we Q. Following up on that, the point guard and coach loved the game. relationship has always been important to you in particular. But how is your relationship with Tre? I And he's never changed. He's a genuine guy. I hope know it was unique when he came in. But how has that the people around me know that I haven't either. that evolved over -- And he's done a lot for the game. The game is bigger COACH KRZYZEWSKI: It's terrific. He's somebody we than either of us or the two of us together or the haven't had for a while in that he does -- basically matchup tomorrow. And we're just -- I think we're both Winston does this for Tom -- he can make in-game proud of the fact that we've been important people in adjustments that the coach would want to make while the game. the game is going on. They just understand the game and they understand their team and their coaching staff But I really respect and like Tom a lot. I think he's been where they can make real time adjustments. great for, obviously for Michigan State but for college basketball.

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 19:39:00 GMT page 4 of 6 Q. A little more global than Jeff's question, But it's really right on the table, right on the table. I obviously you can have talent and skill and love that. And his passion for what he does. He's one coaching and preparation, but at a certain point, as of the best ever. And I'm glad to call him my friend. a coach, you do sort of have to relinquish yourself to the bounce of the ball or the basketball gods, as Q. Following up a little bit on Izzo, as good as he you like to put it. At what point do you come to and his program have been for a long time, well- terms with how much control you have over a game documented, your record, you're 11-to-1 head-to- and how much you have to let see what happens? head with Izzo. How do you explain that? And do COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I think over the years, I try to you almost get nervous that he's got to be due at let the players have more control over what goes on. some point? And you try to just, like yesterday, you just try to put COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I'm too old to be nervous. And them in certain situations where it's not so much a play I remember nervous -- no. I'm not a big believer in but different spots on the court where they can make coaches' records against one another. It's not like you reads. have the same team, the same circumstance; somebody might have been injured. It's a time where And when you have guys like RJ and Zion, they your team wasn't functioning as well. Just like I'm not a shouldn't be systemized. And whatever happens then big guy on records on Tuesdays or Fridays or I'm okay -- I accept the result. And it's our result. And Saturdays or whatever. I'd say I've been that way for a pretty long time now because I've had players who can do that. And it's You play the team that you're going to play against right been a heck of a tournament. It's actually been a heck now. And they're capable of handing us a defeat. It of a March with Zion coming back and the ACC doesn't make any difference what's happened in the Tournament, the three games in the NCAA past, really. Tournament. The same thing, like yesterday, somebody was -- or And the thing that our team hasn't had is continuity. whenever we played Virginia Tech. Somebody said Since the first Syracuse game, we pretty much have they beat you three out of four. Well, they didn't beat not been a complete team because of some injuries. my team yesterday three out of four. It's the first time And the kids have been so resilient. And part of it is, I my team completely played against them. think, some guys have gotten better. Like Alex's performance last night. He didn't play the game They beat our Duke team a few weeks ago that wasn't before, and all of a sudden two minutes before the complete. And they weren't complete. So those stats game you're starting. And he plays 30-something don't mean anything. They really don't mean anything. minutes and gets seven defensive rebounds. But he's And that one to me doesn't mean a darned thing. also called upon at Syracuse where he got 20 against their zone. Q. This might touch on what you were talking about a little bit earlier, but Senator Chris Murphy And J. Gold has done that. Even Antonio has done of Connecticut mentioned Zion in releasing a that. And, so, the adversity of injury has actually given report with the recommendation that he thought moments for a number of these kids to shine even college athletes should receive compensation or though they're not shining like Zion's dunk or RJ's some compensation. And a Congressman from performance in the second half or Tre's shots. But your own state, North Carolina, had something they're still shining and it gives us a little bit more similar about profiting on name and likeness. depth. Wondering your thoughts on the federal involvement in these discussions. And has your Q. Back to Coach Izzo for a second. I hope this experience with Zion this year and everything isn't redundant. What qualities or attributes most that's surrounded him altered your perspective on impress you about his body of work, or do you those kind of talking points? most admire of his body of work and philosophy? COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I think he's become the face of COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I think Tom's genuine. Like a lot of issues. And it came into being when he got there is no BS. He's going to tell you what he feels is hurt and then all of a sudden, everything that had to do the truth. And he's a terrific leader. And I've enjoyed with college basketball had Zion's face on it. my -- because he'll tell you what he thinks. And he'll also accept what you think. And then, hey, if that's a The fact of involvement, I think that's good. But where little bit different but it makes sense, you go with what's does it go? Good ideas are great. How do you there. channel them? How do you turn them into action and

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 19:39:00 GMT page 5 of 6 how do you coordinate good ideas from a number of or whatever. And the older ones that are really good, different places? Or when someone says something they would be able to do that on their own -- changing does it have to be their idea? speeds, changing speeds.

So that's why, when Pete asked that, we need to But, again, these guys have done a really good job. It's coordinate and get -- I'd love for a group to talk to those not like -- our 2015 team did it pretty good because gentlemen who are in federal government, how do you Quinn Cook was able to do that with the freshmen. they see that, and then say, oh, maybe if we did it this And these guys don't have that. And Amile and Matt way we can incorporate it that way. Jones. They were steady in that regard.

That's not being done. So the right fielders saying THE MODERATOR: Thank you. something to left fielder. Like, let's get into the clubhouse and do it as a team. The kids deserve it. The kids deserve it. And in this time the definition of amateurism and -- it's outdated. We need a new model.

And with all these things that are changing, it cries out for coordination of creating this new model. If we don't do it, our game's going to suffer. Our game is going to suffer.

Q. Several years ago, you had a comeback victory over Virginia in Charlottesville when one of your players took over the game and I can't remember who, I'm sorry -- COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Tyus, I think.

Q. Might have been. 40 years so the names run together. COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Me too.

Q. After the game, and I'm paraphrasing you, you talked about how he was able to slow himself down and do what he did and how if -- you sort of wished you had players for longer so you could work on slowing them down to improve their games. So what is "slowing them down to improve their games?" And do you miss the opportunities to have guys for two or three or four years to teach them what they need to know about becoming better players? COACH KRZYZEWSKI: The last part, certainly I'd love to have guys longer, because you get closer and you can work them. But you have to adapt and try to teach them as much as possible in a shorter period of time.

As far as slowing down, talent should be used at different speeds and with different levels of motivation. And so sometimes when everything's going great, you get ahead of yourself and you don't fully think of the situation, whereas you try to maintain a balance -- the great players maintain a balance throughout a game. And these guys come real close to it at a young age.

And you'll see me every once in a while go, whoa, that fastbreak was good, but now we need to run four-wide

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