Indiana University Media Conference Sunday, March 13 2016 So that's a very good brand of basketball when you look at the teams that are in their league with the Tennessee State and Citadel people like that. Again, COACH CREAN: What we know about Chattanooga is we'll get familiar with them in a hurry and we'll look that they have been battle tested. There is no question forward to it. about that, not only in their league but from the very beginning. Matt McCall has got a great background at Q. I guess you've studied them before, on some Florida with Billy Donovan and took over the job at level is it the scouting coming back? Chattanooga with a veteran team and has done an COACH CREAN: I studied their numbers. I studied a outstanding job. group of numbers actually last night late and theirs was one of them, but I didn't study the film. So we'll learn a They open up the season winning at Georgia. They've lot more. That's the best I can give you right now. won at Illinois. They've won at Dayton. We saw them on film early in the season when we played Kennesaw Q. Are you surprised with where you're seeded? State. That was our common opponent outside of COACH CREAN: The only thing I'm really excited Illinois. You can't help but follow a team throughout the about is I was smart enough to bring our Big Ten year. I haven't seen them play a lot during the year. I Championship trophy down to the room into the team will tonight. But a team that wins 29 games and wins room. I'm glad it was down there because we needed in the league the way they did, you have to have great a quick visual reminder that we were a Big Ten respect for that and we do. So there is no question champion. So I'll leave that for other people to talk when you get into this time of the year, you're going to about. play an outstanding team in the first round, and only if you're fortunate enough to keep moving forward, it But I'm proud of what this team has done. I don't think keeps moving up that same way. there is any question about that. Villanova went 8-1 on the road in their league. Okay, ourselves, Michigan But we know that they can score at a high level. State, Kansas, people like that, they win 6-3 on the They're averaging 76 points a game. The thing that road in their league. We've gone through a tough jumps out at me right away is the fact that they have league, and I'm proud of the way these guys earned made more free throws than their opponents have their championship. attempted, and I think we did the same thing in our team in 2013, but that is -- I think we did -- but that is a So I can't -- last couple of years I know we were a 1 huge staple of an aggressive, physical team. They've seed after we won it. I know Michigan was a 2 seed got good balance with McLean and Tuoyo. They really after they won it. I know Wisconsin was a 1 seed after the ball at a high rate. They can score. they won it. I don't have much more to add other than that. I saw John Calipari's game with ESPN, he said You've got two all-league guys. You've got a Defensive you've got to go play the games. He's exactly right, so Player of the Year there. They shoot the ball pretty here we go. well, and what I remember from the films, and again, I'll have a much better view next time we get together of Q. Talk about their style and ability to press. Is it them but what I remember is they have very good sometimes harder to prepare for a team that has an balance of scoring. They have the Florida style where effective press? they can press and do numerous things there, and, COACH CREAN: We've handled pressure all year. We again, they look extremely well coached to me. practice it and we prepare for pressure. So we don't play it as much. We have it, but we prepare for it. We They have a young man on their staff named Peter see it. I don't think it's going to be a lot different than Gash what was on our staff our second year here, and seeing Iowa's press and things like that. But they have then ended up being at Florida Atlantic and moved on the ability to do different things. to Florida and then Chattanooga. But like I said, I'll have a much better understanding. I

Rev #1 by #170 at 2016-03-14 00:39:00 GMT page 1 of 2 haven't had any time to get into the film yet, and our learn how to play in those environments. I've never players haven't seen any film yet, so I'll be able to been to the Des Moines Arena. But certain times you answer that much better later. get to the big arenas, and for you, it's not all for the other team and a lot of times it's not all the way full. So Q. Will will you be doing as far as self-scouting? you've got to be able to deal with that and you've got to COACH CREAN: Building on what we've done since be able to create your own energy and emotion, and we've been home. We had a great practice last night. you've got to be able to really stay locked in. We had a very informative film session today and weightlifting session things of that nature and I mean, the other day we didn't play a great game, we conditioning. I've got to plan all that out tonight. I have made a defensive mistake that we don't make, right? my ideas and probably won't adjust them much. You And the result comes down and really looks like it have to wait till you see what you're going to have on a appears to come down to one or two plays, a missed Thursday or Friday. We know what we're going to play here or rotation there. But it's really the Thursday night now, correct. So we'll set the tone for plays inside the game. It's getting them to truly that. understand you can't have empty possessions. You might miss, but you better have an aggressive We'll leave sometime Tuesday. That will all get laid out possession. tonight. I mean, they're in the process of doing that right now. So it's a balance of making sure that we You can't allow the teams to go on runs, the other team keep improving based on what we've got to get better to go on runs. You can't give up open shots. I heard at, which is exactly what we did last night. Start Bill Self say this when we were watching that marathon preparing for this team, and put all our focus on of a show, that you've got to be able to make open Chattanooga this is not a situation where we start shots, right? You've got to make those open shots getting ready for three teams. I mean, we get ready for when you go into an arena. You want them really Chattanooga, and if we're fortunate enough to win that comfortable doing that. You've got to take care of the one, we'll take care of the next game and get ready for ball. Right? But at the same time, you've got to create that one after. easy baskets off the team's turnovers or misses.

Q. Is there a burden with Kentucky potentially the But those are not things you learn from the year before. next opponent? Those are things you learn throughout the year. So I COACH CREAN: Well, I think we're all just going to think that's the most important thing. focus on Chattanooga, and I think that's the most important thing. So I think I'm not sure burden is the word. I don't think anybody looks at anything like a burden. I think everybody looks at this season like just take the next day. They've been extremely resilient and they're very good at being focused. So I think that's what the key thing is, and I think we're only guaranteed one game right now, and that's against Chattanooga Thursday night. So that's the most important thing and the only thing we'll get ready for.

Q. What's the difference this year from the past two years? COACH CREAN: I'm not sure. I'm not sure that's anything that really comes into fruition when you get into the next year almost 360-some-odd days. So the players have the experience of it. I think the biggest thing that you have to learn, and this is something we talked about as a staff, because it was even the other day. When you play in the league you're either home, right in front of 17,000 fans with that energy, or you're on the road with whatever fans they have and that energy. So there is that home and road feel.

When you get into these neutral environments, and the other day was like that as well. It's a big arena. There were Indiana fans, Michigan fans, but you've got to

Rev #1 by #170 at 2016-03-14 00:39:00 GMT page 2 of 2 Indiana University Basketball Media Conference Sunday, March 13 2016 connected. Last year's team, a little bit inexperienced Yogi Ferrell with the NCAA tournament. But I've been in it, Max has been in it, so we can give a little bit of wisdom to Max Bielfeldt these guys. Q. What do you know about Chattanooga? Nick Zeisloft YOGI FERRELL: Well, we know they can score very well, averaging up to 77 points per game. They've got Q. First of all, what were your thoughts? a Defensive Player of the Year for their conference, so YOGI FERRELL: We're really excited. This is another they have a great all-around game, and we know opportunity for us to go out and showcase what we've they've got great guards that can score it. Their inside done all year, and felt pretty happy with where we were presence is very solid on defense, and they're a team picked and just pretty excited. that only has five losses, and we know they're a great team that can play together. MAX BIELFELDT: Yeah, a 5 seed, historically a lot of those 12 seeds are underrated and they pull out Q. What have you heard from people since you upsets. But I think with the mindset we've got all year, found out who you're playing? we've just got to be ready. When any team makes the MAX BIELFELDT: We've got a lot of people who tournament, you know they're good, especially a team definitely hand us things we didn't know. We don't with only five losses. exactly have access to that on our own, but we have the managers and all the guys do a great job telling us They're a talented team. They beat Dayton, at what we need to know and getting us prepared as far Georgia, at Illinois. They're definitely not going to get as scouting. I know they're up there working their butts overlooked at all. You can't at this point of the year. off clipping videos from all the games they've played You've got to give everything you've got scouting and and find some areas of attack. learn them like the back of your hand. Q. What's the key ingredient to do well in March? Q. Were you prepared to be a 5 seed? YOGI FERRELL: The key ingredient I would say play MAX BIELFELDT: I mean we know we're going to get every game like it's your last. You never know what put where we get put. You're going to have to play all stop in the game is going to be the one for you to win the same teams to go where you want to go anyway. the game. Just got to have the mindset, got to be So whether you're 3, 4, 5, 10, 16 seed, doesn't matter connected. You've got to have great fundamentals. to us, we're just going to try to beat whoever's in front You've got to refine your fundamentals, refine your of us. techniques and your concepts defensively because now it's just one-and-done. Q. The Big Ten didn't seem like it got a lot of respect in terms of the seeding. Do you guys feel Q. Max, what would you tell the young guys about like that? Do you feel maybe the conference has a what this whole thing is like? little bit of a chip on its shoulder? MAX BIELFELDT: It's definitely one of a kind. You NICK ZEISLOFT: I mean, seeding-wise it might look come to this kind of year, and the whole thing the way like that, but it's such a great conference anyways. We it's set up, it's not the NBA where you have seven know it's a battle-tested conference, it's a great one, games. It's one game. You have to come out and you and teams are going to see that in the tournament. have 40 minutes maybe more to prove yourself. You've got to make every minute count. However much YOGI FERRELL: I felt like we've got more guys on this pressure is on you, you can't break. team that are willing to fight for each other. I think that's the biggest thing and difference that I see is the So you've got to be that team that can withstand more desire, the pride to want to go out there and get a stop of the pressure than the other team. When things for our teammates, so I feel like this team is more really get crazy instead of breaking you come closer

Rev #1 by #170 at 2016-03-13 23:54:00 GMT page 1 of 2 together and you really just play as one offensively, out of character on some things and we can definitely defensively, and that's when you really get it going. get better at.

Q. Will it be hard not thinking about the potential Q. Can you talk about coming down the stretch in matchup against Kentucky? your career and how you'll feel? YOGI FERRELL: I don't think it will be very hard. YOGI FERRELL: My feelings are especially high, and We're going to prepare for Chattanooga just like I'm going to be playing as hard as I've ever played Kentucky, and I feel like when we get to that game we'll probably in these games right here. I know I play hard, be prepared for Kentucky. But right now all we're but especially for this one because I feel like our team focused on is Chattanooga and just getting them down. definitely deserves it and we've worked so hard. Like Max said, everything we've been through. So emotions Q. Max, you've been a part of a run before; can you are very high. We're very excited and humbled by this talk about that? moment, where we got picked and we've just got to go MAX BIELFELDT: Yeah, the teams I've been fortunate on with confidence. enough to be on had just that incredible spirit. So many games at this point, they don't call it March Madness for nothing. So many games at this point come down to the last possession and the last whatever three or four. You've just got to make sure that you make every one count. You can't lose focus in a game. You've got to execute. One less turnover or one more stop could be the difference.

As long as your team understands that and values the ball and still plays the game that you want to play, that's when you have a really dangerous team. I think if we stay focused and our mentality is where I think it will be after we get in the Big Ten tournament and the journey we've been on this season, I think we can be one of those teams that really just gets it going.

Q. What makes this team one that can make a run in the tournament? MAX BIELFELDT: I'd say the biggest thing is everything we've been through this season. I think nothing that comes at us is going to be unexpected. I feel like we've been through just about every major scenario that you go through in a season. Like Notre Dame, whether you're down 16 or we've been through that and a hostile Duke crowd, we've been through that. We've gotten better from everything, wins and losses throughout the year.

No matter what happens I think as long as the young guys are wanting it as bad as the old guys and playing it like it's their last game and really just playing as hard as they can and staying connected at the same time, the five guys out there, and all the guys on the bench are connected, I think we can be really special.

Q. Can you talk about how hard it was not to be playing basketball this last weekend, but also what you guys learned? NICK ZEISLOFT: Yeah, we definitely didn't play how we wanted to. We've seen the film, look slow at times. We've dissected it well today and yesterday. There are things we can learn. We realize that we were kind of

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