Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Championship Thursday, March 11, 2021 Kansas City, Missouri, USA Kansas State Wildcats Postgame Press Conference game probably, I thought. But then we didn't -- when we would turn them over we did not always take advantage of our points off of turnovers. Baylor, 74 - Kansas State, 68 Should have been more, and especially if we had -- I don't know how many layups we missed. Just two or three BRUCE WEBER: Obviously you know we wanted to win. come to mind right away. If we get one of those to fall, We came here with big dreams and hopes. But at the maybe the game is different. same time, you know, I told the guys all I cared about was playing with courage, and courage means -- because the Proud of them, the two freshman, Davion, Nijel. We said first to times, you guys saw it. They didn't just beat us, use it as motivation, not getting picked on any of those they just played with us and did whatever they wanted. teams, not getting any recognition. I think they made a nice statement the last two days. We showed them with scores last night, showed them stuff -- we just played with one of the best teams, I think should DaJuan I told him this morning he had a tough task to play be maybe the best team in the country. We played on a one of the toughest players in the country in Vital, and I turnaround of, what, 14, 15 hours with not a whole lot of said, "you're going to have to match his energy," and I prep with playing a hard-fought game last night, and gave thought DaJuan did that. With how hard he played he them everything we had. gave us a chance.

It's just -- I've said it all along, I didn't want the season to But, you know, proud of them, but obviously disappointed end because I think we're actually playing high level that it's ending and disappointing that maybe we could basketball. We could compete with anybody. We just have had a little bit of a miracle here and found a way to showed it. But you hope you use this as a momentum win and done something really, really special. But it didn't going into the next season. happen.

But it's just -- I don't know what to say. I'm proud of them, Q. Coach, now that the year is over what sort of toll happy for them. Appreciate Mike McGuirl's leadership. has this entire year taken on you professionally as a Appreciate that the group stayed together. They believed coach going through all the protocols and the losing, us and they got better. Somebody told us that from I don't and how much excitement do you have now after the know which date it was, February 10th, February way you guys finished the year to get back at it? something, from that date on we have the third best defensive efficiency, not just in the Big 12, but in the BRUCE WEBER: Well, there is no doubt. I think you talk country, in this last month or three weeks or something. to any coach in the country, and I talk to a lot of guys, this is been hard. It's been stressful. It's been a challenge. It's And I mean, we gave a team that has three elite players, been hard on everybody. One, no one has had vacation. probably three NBA player guards, they turned it over 21 No one has been able to get away from it. It's just your times. The first time we played them had mental health, well-being, that puts -- even adds more three assists; tonight he had seven turnovers. Yet that are stress to it. really good. Baylor is really good. But as I said to you guys last night, to me as a leader, it's But as I said, our guys, they were bought in. They about the players and helping them and being there for executed. We got it inside. I know you always hope we them. And no matter how bad it got and what we had to were a little better passing team. We had some foul deal with, I had to be there to lead them and help them and trouble. Could have made it a little bit of a difference in the keep them believing and giving them hope and giving them

105417-2-1444 2021-03-11 23:39:00 GMT Page 1 of 4 love, and that's what we tried to do. BRUCE WEBER: It's funny, my daughter asked me this Last night about 2:00 a.m. I was cramping literally, and it the other day. She said, Dad are you retiring? I said, No, wears you out. But I got up this morning ready to play and why? And she said some -- I don't know who it is, some ready to coach, and I thought our guys did the same thing. dude on social media said I was retiring. I asked his name and I never even heard of the guy, to be honest. They were really composed and ready to compete at a high level today, so I appreciate them. As far as -- I said She deals with social media all the time because she's in before, I told them three weeks ago and we hadn't won a advertising and she said he was verified or checked. I game in a while, I said I don't want the season to end. I don't know what the heck that means. I guess he must saw the improvements coming. They probably looked at have a lot of people following. I don't know if he knows me like this dude is crazy. I said, "Guys, I see it coming. I something I don't know. I'm not sure. see what's happening. I see how we're making the strides. We have been together, we've had practice. You But I think -- I don't know, I love coaching, I love practice, I understand defense, all this stuff." And I just told them love being around the guys. I love their development. I again, I wish the season wasn't over, but now use this as a think we've improved as much as any team in the country. motivation. Use this as -- we just played against some of I think that -- we were so low I guess we better have the best players in the country. You want to be like them? improved. Now you got put in the time. Those guys were good players three years ago, but they weren't like this. But I love coaching, being around players, so I'm looking forward to next year. I can't wait. Give them a couple You know, if you want to be like that, now it's the hard weeks off and hopefully we get back at it. work. This is your time, the next five months, to get better. And I gave them a dream and vision for next year where I Q. Did you feel like in parts of the second half you expect them to be. Hopefully they want to be there. were just hanging on for dear life, one foul call, turnover just seemed to tilt the balance? Q. The play at the end of the game with Nijel where he throws the ball up trying to get a foul, what was your BRUCE WEBER: Yeah, I said I kind of thought there were perspective on that? several times where I thought, God, we're in trouble, and you get 9 and then all of a sudden it's back to 3 or 4 or BRUCE WEBER: I thought it was a loose ball and they whatever. Seemed like every time something went against kind of bumped him. I guess he probably in hindsight us our guys responded and found a way to make a play. probably come down with it and get knocked over and we get two free throws. I think he thought I'm going to just act Some of those hustle plays, DaJuan, Selton. And I thought like I'm was shooting because it was a tussle for the jump we guarded pretty well. Even though they shot 50%, but ball. Obviously they didn't make a call, any call at that they turned it over 21 times. Those three guards are really point. good. They can make shots and play and play off each other pretty well. So I'm not sure -- obviously we're close, but there were several plays like that, and obviously the foul trouble really I just kept hoping, wishing, praying, Hey, we're going to hurt us. But our guys hung in there. Every time I thought, hang in there and maybe something special is going to guys, we have foul trouble, we got mixed unit. Rudi happen and we're going to find a way to win. It didn't Williams, you got to give him a lot of credit because a few happen, so, you know, credit to them. We pushed them weeks ago he was struggling and the whole thing had and they found a way to get us. taken a toll. Q. Two freshman today combined for 36 points or 12 For him to come this weekend and play his butt off, I'm of 20 shooting. Just vital to keep to group together, happy for him and proud of him. But the foul trouble isn't it? definitely probably made a difference I guess in the game more than anything. BRUCE WEBER: Yeah, it is. I talked about Davion, what he -- I texted him after he didn't get any recognition. I Q. You just mentioned there a second ago the stress thought Nijel really should have got recognition even of the season and how arduous this has been at times. though Davion, I thought is as consistent as any guy and At this stage in your career, is retirement anything played against some of the best big guys in the league and that you mull over or consider in the off-season? handled himself well.

105417-2-1444 2021-03-11 23:39:00 GMT Page 2 of 4 the summer, in the fall. We didn't even get to work on it You know, Davion said, Coach, it's fine. We have a lot of -- once practice started because you didn't have people. It's a lot of time to prove things at K State. We know how hard hard to run drills when you don't have ten people. we worked. We know what we've been through. The kid has an unbelievable heart. I was talking to Tom Gilbert So that was -- we just talked as a staff just a minute ago about it last night after everything. The kid is amazing from while I was waiting, and I think that was probably the where he's come and what he has in his big heart and how biggest thing. And then we had a couple layups, that one he cares, how much he's improved. I mean, he's done time DaJuan get unbelievable rebound, misses, rolls unbelievable. around, Selton grabs it, tips it in, doesn't go in, and then they go down and make a tough shot. And then Nijel, he's been through some stuff but he's hung in there. I knew was a good player. I just kind of talked Those are couple of those little plays that could have been with him after the press conference and there are some big difference makers in the game. things he knows he's got to get better, but pretty nice performance on national TV against the best team in the Q. And last thing from me, the performance in the first country for both those guys. half, you guys were only down by two and Mike and Nijel only had four points to that point. Q. You have already been asked a few questions, but given the quality of the opponent and the BRUCE WEBER: And foul trouble and we're hanging in circumstances, was Davion's performance one of the there. Just like Tim mentioned, hanging on for dear life. best you've seen by a true freshman? But we kept doing it and we kept -- again, the heart of our guys, their never-quit attitude. They came together as a BRUCE WEBER: Yeah. I mean, yeah. It's impressive. group and they believed and they battled and understand You know, for them -- and even Selton, guys. You know, I what it's about now. told Selton last night, because he has -- you look at his stat line and I think it was 9 points, 5 rebounds or 7, something That's a big turnaround from losing by whatever we lost by, like that, some assists, and he was 7 on the (indiscernible) 40 or whatever it was a few weeks ago. which is high for his year. If he doesn't miss the dunk and he's got a dead layup and three free throws, people are Q. Just to be 100% clear here, your plan right now is talking about him for -- being one of the best players. to be back as Kansas State's coach next season, right? And then his defense on some of these elite guards lately has changed out team, and we told him that. So all three BRUCE WEBER: Yeah, I mean, I don't know anything of those guys have -- they've been -- made a lot of strides different. I don't know why I wouldn't. I love K-State, I love and understand what it's about. coaching. I think obviously we haven't won as many games the last two years as you always hope, but it's been But Davion was good and Nijel was good and Selton, a long time since they had won championships. To me -- a obviously we would like him to be a little better, but he still homeless guy yesterday when I was walking around the -- you know he still has done some things as a freshman hotel, he said, Hey, Coach Weber, the difference between that -- I don't know if I want to guard or Kansas and Kansas State? Kansas reloads and you got to Jared Butler or Reaves or Nembhard or anybody of those rebuild. Like that homeless guy is pretty smart. guys. He stepped up and done an unbelievable job. I think we've done that, done it the right way, and I think we Q. I know there are so many areas you can look at and have a great nucleus. Hopefully this group wants to stay say if we had just done this better, this would've been together and this gave them a lot of hope and drive and different. You note that they committed 21 turnovers motivation. We can continue moving forward. and then you guys only got the 17 points off them. So I don't know who started the rumor or how it started, but BRUCE WEBER: Yeah, I said that earlier, and it's been a I don't know the dude's name on social media, but problem all year, just finishing in transition, making good obviously somebody must have said something to decisions, making the right play. somebody. So maybe you started it, I don't know.

You know, that's been -- it's been something we haven't Q. I did not start it. I promise. been great at, and definitely hopefully we can get better at. But, again, it's something that we didn't get the work on in BRUCE WEBER: Okay.

105417-2-1444 2021-03-11 23:39:00 GMT Page 3 of 4 , and it's important. Q. I did not. Looking ahead to next season, what would you say you guys need to add or develop to Every coach in the country is going to go through this every take that next step and be quite a bit better? year, and we've been through the stress of COVID and all we've had to deal with and now every year we're going to BRUCE WEBER: The development is so important. I've have to figure that out. talked about to them about that. Just I've used Baylor as an example, how far Jared Butler, how far Teague has But, again, use Baylor as an example. Those guys, you come, Mitchell. You know, and we didn't have a spring, know, couple of them red shirt, transfer red shirts, used didn't have a summer, have a limited fall, and now you're that time to get better, mature, get tougher. Now they're going to have that chance. Each guy has some things to special players. So hopefully our guys have that same work on that development is so important, and then thought process and motivation and we can all hang obviously if we get other scholarships or something together. happens we need to get somebody that -- I love the guys we have coming in, but we might need something, another FastScripts by ASAP Sports guy or two just to see.

Passing is something that could definitely get better, and then we made some shots lately, but shooting and passing are two things that we could definitely improve on. There is no doubt.

Q. We know you're coming back next year. Is Mike McGuirl coming back with you?

BRUCE WEBER: You know, after, and I talked to him all along, and I just -- I know he has big dreams and goals. I know today wasn't -- I thought yesterday his game was as balanced and so good. Tonight, a little hectic.

But I hope he does. He wants to. I think he wants to. But he wanted to get the season done before he made a decision. I think he has a chance to take a nice big step. You know, that's -- I know his goal is, we've talked about it, to be a high level player. He's got himself where he's competing with top kids in our league who are top players in the country. Now can he take another step.

So I hope so. But until he tells me I'm definitely coming back. I know he's talked about to our guys about different majors and getting a masters and some of that stuff, so I guess that's a positive sign right now that he's thinking about it.

Q. And then obviously there is still some time before guys can decide, but how big is the last stretch of the season just to keep the guys together and make sure that you bring that core back next year?

BRUCE WEBER: Well, there is no doubt it's huge. Tim mentioned it a few weeks ago. You know, it's part of college basketball. It's the part I feel sad about. I don't know if kids think it's going to help them in the long run to keep moving. Work on yourself, and going to a new place is not going to always change it. It's going to be part of

105417-2-1444 2021-03-11 23:39:00 GMT Page 4 of 4 Men's Basketball Championship Thursday, March 11, 2021 Kansas City, Missouri, USA Kansas State Wildcats Nijel Pack Postgame Press Conference free throws. Couldn't ask much more of him. He did his part. We just didn't get the job finished.

Q. Good game. Baylor, 74 - Kansas State, 68 NIJEL PACK: Thank you. Q. Nijel, put that game into words for me. How did that feel out on the court to you? Q. Nijel, great game for you. Tell me a little bit about it seemed like you were surprising them with your ability NIJEL PACK: It was just, I mean, it was an amazing game to make that three-point shot. Just talk a little bit to be in, a great atmosphere. Even though we didn't have about your game today and the openings that you the full crowd attendance, just felt great to be able to give had? Did Baylor underestimate you? them a run for the money. Everybody probably looked over us. NIJEL PACK: I feel like they kind of knew coming in, too. I'm pretty sure teams scouted, just like we do. They know Felt good to be able to give the people what they want. can't let them get some rhythm, get some shots going. I Felt good for us to have courage and show our mean, once I seen a couple go in I started getting that improvement of what we made from the beginning of the rhythm and I was able to knock down some shots when I year to now. seen even just a little space.

So felt really good for us, really good for our confidence. Everybody makes defensive breakdowns, but once that rhythm starts going for me I feel like once I put it up there I Q. How far has your team come in the last month or have feel confidence in myself, and my teammates and so? coaches do as well.

NIJEL PACK: I think we became a totally different team. If Q. What was said in the locker room afterwards? You we could just start off as in this month as a whole new said how you wish the season could start now year, I feel like we would be ranked top 15 in the country, because the rhythm is there, you're all clicking and at least. beating teams. What was said in the locker room afterwards? You guys did play well today and you All the good teams that we've beaten, played with, I mean, kept this game within reach. nobody would think the rest of the year what happened. I mean, from this year looks like we're a whole new team. NIJEL PACK: Coach was just really proud of us, all the You can give us a preview of what's going to happen the coaches. They seen how big of strides we made since the next few years to come, and I feel like we're showing that beginning of year. They brought up early losses that we already. made and we lost to and now we're competing with the best team in the country. Nobody would've expected that. Q. How good was Davion in that first half? First two times we played them got our butts kicked. We NIJEL PACK: He was excellent. Not good, not great, got embarrassed. Now we're giving them a fight at the excellent. Finishing, diving, screening, playing defense, I end. Guys there on their team were surprised, shocked, mean, everything we know that he has, all the talent we nervous. We put them in a different situation they're not know he has, he was putting on full execution. really used to. It felt great.

So proud of him. He stayed in there, he fought. Made his Our coach told us it sucks for it to end, but now it's our time

105411-2-1444 2021-03-11 23:06:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 to get better individually, come back next year, and get two days here in Kansas City would've finished our ready to make a big run and keep this momentum going. how the season would've gone if that team played the entire year for you guys? Q. Can you explain what happened on that last possession where you just kind of threw the ball up at NIJEL PACK: I feel like we would have been competing for the rim? Were you hoping to get a foul out of that? a Big 12 Championship. We might be one of the youngest teams in the country, but I feel like the experience that NIJEL PACK: I mean, Mike threw it to me. I knew he was we've gotten and how much we've grown as a team, as a going to anticipate the steal so I jumped, kind of went into brotherhood. I feel like if we had this all year we would him, because I knew it was going to be a fight for the ball. I have easily been ranked many, many times this year. felt that unnecessary contact, excessive contact. I felt like Would've been playing for a Big 12 Championship, and they were going to blow the whistle trying to get a three to then even in the conference today we would've been n the go with it. NCAA tournament next week and then who knows from then. Didn't get it. Kind of made myself look stupid. It sucks to have the season end the way it did like that, but I know the Q. Nijel, you mentioned how your team is so young game is not defined on one play, but that one play made a but you're so confident in where you're at now and huge difference to the turnout of the game and I kind of how far you've come. What did you think is the blame myself for that. biggest like the big picture is? What I'm asking for you and the guys, what's the next step off this? You have But a mistake that I made. I wish I could get it back but I off-season now, but what's next for you guys? can't, so... NIJEL PACK: I mean, we see what it takes now. We lived Q. And if there is one big key this team needs to work through our first year kind of not knowing. COVID kind of on before next season, what do you think that is? threw everything off. Feel like now we can have a regular year hopefully, be able to work with each other over the NIJEL PACK: I just feel like individually everybody has summer, be able to improve. Feel like that would be a something they can improve on. I feel like everybody has good thing for us. special things they need to work on that will make us better individuals. I feel like what makes Baylor so talented is all And then get that experience -- we got this experience this their individuals put in that grind and that work where they year, so then for next year we can go in knowing what to can all go get a basket whenever necessary. expect, the work that it takes, and knowing what it takes to win. I mean, that's what it all comes down to. I feel like that's what we all could work on a little bit more, everybody being able to go get to the basket, whatever. I And then be able to shock some people next year. I feel feel like we'd be an even better team than we are. like we got the talent. Definitely got the coaching, the support to win a Big 12 Championship. Just got to believe Q. You feel like you guys caught them by surprise at it, put the work in, and then it'll happen for us. all today? Feel like the same level of respect that typically you would from an opponent out there on the FastScripts by ASAP Sports court?

NIJEL PACK: I feel like nobody really expected anything out of us. Wasn't a shock to us. Probably a shock to everybody else. I mean, we gave them a fight. We knew that was going to come in, be a dogfight. They probably didn't think so because the last two games, what happened. I feel like we gave them a great run for their money, opened their eyes for them.

This is a great tournament, great conference to be in. Any given night a team could beat you. I feel like we had that night tonight; we just couldn't finish.

Q. What do you feel like the team that played the last

105411-2-1444 2021-03-11 23:06:00 GMT Page 2 of 2

Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Championship Thursday, March 11, 2021 Kansas City, Missouri, USA Baylor Bears Scott Drew Postgame Press Conference and Likekele in the lineup. What kind of challenge is that?

SCOTT DREW: I think that makes it exciting as well Baylor - 74, Kansas State - 68 because, when you play somebody twice and you play them a third time, human nature, you're excited when SCOTT DREW: The first game of the tournament is you've got different matchups, and Oklahoma State, we've always the most important. You don't win that, you go had two great games. One game Cade didn't play. One home, and I thought K-State, really credit Coach Weber, game Likekele didn't play. So now they're at full strength, they really improved and have really been playing good and we already know how good they are and what a great basketball. I thought they were really good today, and I coach Coach Boynton is. So we're excited. thought they forced us into a lot of those turnovers. Q. Scott, they gave you some trouble with, I guess it I thought we shot it well, but us with 21 turnovers is was the pick-and-roll left Bradford pretty open. What definitely not what we've been about all year. So hopefully, did you all do to adjust to that? He only scored three we got them all out now, and the rest of the tournament points in the second half. we're good and solid with the ball. SCOTT DREW: I think our defensive intensity really Then on the glass, second chance points, we did win that, picked up. We got a lot more physical and tried to contest but normally we do a better job keeping -- or getting more things. Again, credit K-State, first half I thought they offensive rebounds than the opponent. So, again, credit executed their offense at a fast clip, and we were a step Kansas State for being tougher. We'll have to be tougher if behind on a lot of it. we want to keep playing in this tournament. Q. Coach, you mentioned the kind of first half to Q. Scott, were they doing something different this second half and a lot of your guys not having played in time to force those turnovers? the Big 12 Tournament. Was nerves settling kind of the big difference between the first half and the second SCOTT DREW: I think they're playing with a lot of half? 13 of your 21 turnovers came in the first 20 urgency. They were being very physical, and I thought we minutes. were a little tentative. In the first game, you have a little jitters. A lot of our guys hadn't played in the Big 12 SCOTT DREW: Definitely that's a part of it, and K-State Tournament, so they were really excited, and sometimes playing as well as they did is a part of it. I've always said that makes you play hesitant. the team that plays the night before, the first half, they have the advantage. In the second half, it's the team that But I'd really give Kansas State credit because I thought had the bye. So we knew first half we needed to match they had a great defensive game plan. I thought they their intensity and execute. forced us into some of those turnovers. I thought, obviously, 13 turnovers from our point guard position is We shot it well, which is disappointing because, if we something never -- it hasn't happened much, and as would have -- meaning, you cut your turnovers by ten with coaches, we've got to do a better job preparing them to the shooting percentage we had, that's -- you can't afford make sure they know exactly where their reads are. So not to get shots up when you're shooting it well. So we'll do a better job next game, hopefully. hopefully, again, we got them all out of our system today.

Q. And tomorrow will be the first time Oklahoma State, Q. Scott, not to harp on the negative, but for so much when y'all have played them, they have Cunningham of the season, your bench has been so good and

105401-2-1444 2021-03-11 22:30:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 productive. In the last, basically since the COVID they're a really tough quick prep team. Coach Weber has pause, they haven't been as productive. Any way to a million sets. They execute them so well. That's one of pinpoint why that is? Is it because your starters are those teams that it's really dangerous when you don't have doing so well? prep time because they can make you look bad, and they did on several of their sets. SCOTT DREW: I thought each of them have had big moments. I thought Adam -- I mean, Matt really played Q. Coach, it's survive and advance time of year. How well in a couple games. So it's one of those things where beneficial is it to have a game like that where you're the blessing to having depth and different guys that are pushed and some things are exposed, but still be able capable of getting 20, it's not always your night. That's the to play tomorrow? great thing about our team is, hopefully, you got -- you'll find someone who is hot. Tonight we didn't share it as well SCOTT DREW: Definitely. During the time, you don't want as we needed to, and credit K-State's defense with that. to go through it. You want to be up bigger. You'd love our But sometimes you try to take over rather than trusting first two games to be able to do what we did, but I knew your opponents -- or trusting your teammates. personally coming in you're not meeting a Coach Weber team three times like that. They're really playing well. That's one of our biggest blessings is we've got so many They were confident. different weapons that you just have to give your teammate an advantage, and if you do that, we're really good And with us, especially so many guys for the first time offensively. getting a chance to get a tournament win in the Big 12, you want them close like this because that's the rest of the way Q. How do you feel like John's doing? they're going to be like this. So you've got to be able to execute and operate in pressure situations. SCOTT DREW: I think John is one of those guys that, again, hadn't played in a conference tournament. No Q. Scott, on a night like tonight, how do you balance matter who you are, the first time you're in a Big 12 the desire to look at what went wrong and right in this Tournament, it's just like the NCAA. You come over on the game with preparing for Oklahoma State? How do you bus. You've got the police escort. That's why this kind of draw the line on how much you focus on either tournament is great, it gets you ready for the NCAA. You side that have? come in the arena, the arena is tremendous, and you're in a tournament environment. So you're out of your element. SCOTT DREW: Well, we're not playing K-State tomorrow, You're nervous. so we're definitely going to spend the majority of the time with Oklahoma State, but definitely, each game you play is Again, this is great experience for all our guys. a learning experience.

Q. Scott, you stayed big in the second half. What did So in a normal situation, say you give 100 percent to the that give you over going small like you usually do at past and current. For tonight, it might only be 25 percent, times in the second half? but we will definitely pick some areas that we didn't do well and show guys so that we can help make sure they're SCOTT DREW: Analytically, Flo and John -- but Flo really better prepared for tomorrow night and the future. first half did a great job on their big guys, so we chose to stay big. That's the great thing about the versatility is each FastScripts by ASAP Sports and every night, the challenge for the coaching staff is to find out what lineups were working. Again, K-State, they've got two big guys, and both of them really competed and played well.

Q. As good as you all played offensively, defensively, do you feel like some of the issues today were the same as you've had post-COVID or a little unique compared to some of the challenges you've had since your return?

SCOTT DREW: Both. K-State is really -- because you didn't know who you were playing until last night, and

105401-2-1444 2021-03-11 22:30:00 GMT Page 2 of 2 Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Championship Thursday, March 11, 2021 Kansas City, Missouri, USA Baylor Bears MaCio Teague Postgame Press Conference MACIO TEAGUE: Yeah, but we've got a game here tomorrow with Oklahoma State. We've got to take care of our bodies tonight and just be prepared for tomorrow. Baylor - 74, Kansas State - 68 We're not worried about what's going on two weeks from now, or whenever the NCAA Tournament is. Q. MaCio, what did you feel like the difference was this time playing K-State than the first two times? Q. MaCio, how big was that little mini run you and What were they able to do this time? Davion went on in the second half, where you had the long two, Davion followed it up with the three. How big MACIO TEAGUE: They just made a lot more shots was that to give you guys momentum to put this game tonight. I felt like they got some open looks, and they away? made them. It's tough. They know what we're going to do the third time around. Playing them is really hard, beating MACIO TEAGUE: You know, it was really big scoring a team three times in a row. So just going forward, we've points. We got out in transition. That was the biggest got to still be locked in. thing. It just happened to be me. Tomorrow it might be Flag, Mark, Jared, somebody else. So we've just got to get Q. How about the turnovers? It's a little unusual for stops and get out in transition. you guys to have that many. Q. What do you remember about Oklahoma State from MACIO TEAGUE: Yeah, it just felt like we tried to make a last week that you guys need to focus on tomorrow? home run play a couple times early in the shot clock and stuff like that. We've just got to be sharper with the ball MACIO TEAGUE: Just containing the ball. Not letting going forward. them get open shots. Just guarding the ball.

Q. MaCio, do you feel like there was maybe a settling Q. MaCio, you all did a better job defending the paint in point? It kind of took you guys a while to kind of in the second half. How did you all manage to do that? adjust to your new surroundings, and do you feel like by the end of the game, you all felt a lot more MACIO TEAGUE: We just tried to be tougher. We just comfortable? tried to guard the ball as hard as we could. We knew that they weren't going to go away. We know that they're a MACIO TEAGUE: Yeah, for sure. They played last night. physical team and they tried to out tough us and things like If you watched the first ten minutes of their game, the that. They probably did win the toughness battle in the first game was like 13 to -- it might have been like 20-13, half for the last 12 minutes, but we locked in defensively something like that. It wasn't really a high scoring game is and were tough in the second half. the point I'm trying to say. There was a lot of turnovers and stuff like that. Guys just weren't shooting the ball well. Q. MaCio, how -- how beneficial is it to have a game tomorrow right on the heels of this to wash out any This was our first time playing on the floor tonight, so I felt bad taste that there may be in your mouth? like later in the game we got it rolling. MACIO TEAGUE: In the postseason, the best thing is the Q. Do you feel like this experience can kind of help fact that the games are back to back, and you've got to you all eventually -- obviously, focusing on the Big 12 win, and the fact that we won and we're still playing Tournament now -- but when you do get to the NCAA tomorrow is a really good thing. So we're happy about Tournament, adjusting quickly like that? that.

105397-2-1444 2021-03-11 22:19:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 Q. 16 of your 24 in the second half. What was the difference for you in terms of how you were getting fed and looks that you were getting?

MACIO TEAGUE: Just being aggressive. A lot of my points came in transition, like mini transition, and just felt like I was really efficient scoring the basketball in that way. Guys looked for me. Guys found me. And in the late shot clock, I made a couple of tough shots. So just really happy seeing the ball go through the net.

Q. It seemed like your transition game off turnovers was a little bit better in this one than before you guys came off the break. Anything different today than what you had in the previous five games?

MACIO TEAGUE: Actually, I feel like I've been really efficient in transition since we came back from our pause, so I wouldn't say there's been anything different.

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