NCAA Men's Regional Semifinals and Finals: Anaheim Friday, March 29, 2019 Anaheim, California Chris Beard Tariq Owens day process that has got us here has to continue. JARRETT CULVER: Everything Norense was saying Norense Odiase and just having that feeling in the locker room of getting so close to the Final Four and losing and we worked for Davide Moretti it all summer not to have that feeling again. So I mean we're at the point where we're back to the Elite Eight, Matt Mooney and I mean, it's great. I feel like we don't want to have that feeling again of losing.

Jarrett Culver Q. Coach and any of the players who want to take Texas Tech Red Raiders this one as well, I don't know how much you've seen of this, but Brandon Clarke past couple of THE MODERATOR: We will start off with an opening games has had a couple of good ones. I know you statement from Coach Beard here from Texas Tech. guys, obviously your defense was strong and shutdown Michigan down low and a lot of other CHRIS BEARD: I speak for everybody in our program places, too, how much have you seen of Brandon how much respect we have for Gonzaga. In our third Clarke and any idea how you will stop him with the year of building the Tech program we talked a lot about momentum he's currently got going? consistency and we used the word program a lot. We CHRIS BEARD: We've seen a lot of him. He's one of don't just want to be an organization as really one good the best college basketball players I think to say he's season are one good team, we want to be a program. just an athlete is incorrect. He does a lot of things on That word means everything in college basketball and I both ends of the floor. We told our guys this morning think Gonzaga has done this over many years with not he's great basketball player, so we face guys like this in consistency, the roster changes. But the level of the Big 12. We will have to play well against them. If excellence has the same kind of program that we're you don't mind we will keep that to ourselves and trying to build a lot of respect for them. Simply stated hopefully have a chance to talk to you about it after the we think they're one of the best teams in college game. basketball. We think we have to build one of our best college basketball of the year that's our objective. Q. For Chris and Matt, most efficient offense versus the most efficient defense, in terms of Q. Norense and Jarrett, last year you were at this Gonzaga, can you compare them to any teams stage against Villanova. What do you remember you've faced this year? about that experience? How much has that MATT MOONEY: Yeah, they're really good offensively motivated and you what have you learned from that and we're really good defensively. So we will see who over the last 12 months? wins out. I don't know who to compare them to. I know NORENSE ODIASE: I remember what a tough team Duke played really fast and I know Gonzaga plays they were. When you get to the Elite Eight every team really fast, so we're going to have to get back on is good, every team is great. We just know that this defense for sure. year is going to be different. We've been here before. Preparationwise we will be prepared as always. We Q. Jarrett, I know you changed your shot know what to expect at this level, relaying it to the new mechanics over the last year. I was wondering guys, just bringing that fight and that toughness that what went into that decision making and what was fueled us this summer from day one when we started that process like to adjust to a new shot? looking at the Villanova loss and everything we did. JARRETT CULVER: Just to be more efficient on my We changed a lot of things schemewise, just trying to shot and the coaching staff and a lot of the GAs and get better from that loss and it's gotten us to this point. people have helped me come a long way with my shot. So we have to keep on those principles that got us I mean, I just got to work with it over the summer. I here every day, the work, the toughness, the day-to- started way back in the summer, just working on

Rev #1 by #189 at 2019-03-29 22:35:00 GMT page 1 of 5 technique and just to be a better shooter. It's always other three seniors have embraced the idea of ways you can improve on your game and that was one eliminating distractions from day one, whether it be of the ways I improved. social media or turning your phone off at night or a girlfriend from time to time. Is Moro still in love? Q. Coach, we mentioned kind of the efficiency that Gonzaga plays with on offense. What makes that DAVIDE MORETTI: Nope. offense so dangerous and so difficult to go against? CHRIS BEARD: Family and friends. We spend a lot of CHRIS BEARD: Two things: One, the talent, you know, time talking about eliminating distractions, ultimately several NBA players on this roster, obviously. They're what successful people do, not just basketball, really good. So for us, that's what it's like every night in successful people know what's important and they can the Big 12. You're playing against NBA players, not a eliminate the things that aren't important. So with the lot of one-dimensional guys either, guys that can do players I don't have any concern on that. Me different things; and two, great coaching. A lot of personally I do what Wes Bloomquist our SID tells us teams around the country that have great players and to do. Wes is a DII guy, some people didn't think he they're watching these games on TV. could handle this stage, but I think he's doing a pretty good job his first year. What do you guys think, man? There's a lot of really good coaches around the country that are also watching the games on TV, but when you MATT MOONEY: Great. combine the two like Gonzaga does, a Big 12 coach and great players, NBA talent, then you're one of the Q. Coach, or anybody, Jarrett last year played a last teams standing. pretty big role but wasn't the Big 12 Player of the Year. I'm curious where you have seen the biggest Q. Coach, talk about the process after a game last jump in his game? night. Obviously you're used to playing games CHRIS BEARD: Did you want to take that Moro when you're in the conference, but a game last Culver's improvement from young to middle age night at this level what do you and the coaching Culver? staff do to get ready for tomorrow's games? CHRIS BEARD: We try to stay true to who we are. We DAVIDE MORETTI: I think every time he try to do a find ourselves in the wings a lot in the Big 12 where we shooting competition with me and he always lost, so he will play a Saturday game and then a big Monday. So tries to improve me wrong every time and he's trying to we call it a one-day prep. get some more shots up every practice, so I think he's getting better. We also schedule these type situations to put our guys in different situations, whether it be back-to-back or TARIQ OWENS: Nah, since I got here, Culver has one-day preps or two-days. Really we just stay true. been great. He puts in a lot of work. Can vouch for the We get back, immediately try to hydrate and feed the losses in the shooting drills, I'm just saying. But Culver guys, get some rest. We spend a couple of minutes puts in a lot of work. He's not earned all the accolades talking about the last game, kinda putting that to sleep, he's getting now. He's earned every bit of it. the good things, things we gotta do better and then we try to bruise the next opponent, personnel plays first Q. Chris, I wanted to go back to something and then start getting into game plan. It's hard to Norense said after the Villanova game maybe was believe that we're really doing the same things we've there some sort of taking stock in how you played always done. We recognize that we're on the biggest at all or changing the way you played maybe in stage and we're having a lot of fun here, but we've got subtle ways? to be who we are. That's really important I think is to CHRIS BEARD: Yeah, I agree with Norense, we were continue to be who we are. always trying to learn from victory and defeat. A lot of the things we do in our program are from different Q. Coach, obviously when you get to this point in people. the tournament obviously the media increases and it comes, you know, with the territory. How do you From the Villanova game we try to get the Villanova balance the media obligations that you have to do jump shot we thought Brunson was the best we ever on your one day to prep for a chance at the Final saw in person, spent a lot of time on that. Culver Four and still stay focused at the task at hand? added that to his game, Moro, Matt. So we absolutely CHRIS BEARD: These guys to my left, they're all talked about that game all season just like we're still veterans. These are experienced people. I don't worry talking about the West Virginia game where we got about that one bit, this team led by Norense and our beat in the Big 12 tournament. We always try to learn

Rev #1 by #189 at 2019-03-29 22:35:00 GMT page 2 of 5 from every success and defeat. dedicate myself to and doing it with these guys, these guys coming in, I seen how dedicated they were and Q. Chris, after viewing the film of last night's game. how hungry they were to get back to the point they Do you think that's one of the best defensive were and go further. It just meant a lot to them and it games you guys have had this season? means a lot to me. CHRIS BEARD: Yeah, I would agree with that, one of. As coaches we strive for perfection. I'm never MATT MOONEY: Coming in after they went to the Elite satisfied. These guys to my left understand that and Eight last year they told us stories and talked about the best thing about coaching these guys is they share how good of an experience it was and how fun it was to the same thing. I've seen us play really, really good get to the Elite Eight, and it made us want to games before and Norense will be getting on guys experience that as well. And then we want to leave our during timeouts. We have a standard and we try to legacy, too, you know. Just being here for one year, we play for the scoreboard or even the result we try to play want to try to win the whole thing. each possession the best we can. Last night, I will say this, the guys were dialed in. The seniors had the team Q. Tariq, you have a degree in sports management, ready to play. I think it was from our respect of right? Michigan. We were fortunate they missed a lot of TARIQ OWENS: Yes. shots they normally make. But I think you gotta give our guys credit for challenging those shots and making Q. Would you hire Coach Beard and why? those shots contested. But there is no doubt about it, TARIQ OWENS: Would I hire Coach Beard? Yes, of we played well last night, obviously. I tell the guys all course, I would hire Coach Beard. Since I've been the time, it sounds like captain obvious, but you've got here everything he told me would happen has been to play well. You've got to play well to win games in true. As a person, I am, how I was raised, I really like this tournament. So here is the next step, Gonzaga, people who tell the truth. I take pride in being a truthful the best team we have played this year. No disrespect person. That's the biggest thing for me. Coach Beard to anyone else. We will have to play our best game. lives by that and also how hard he works, his work ethic is unmatched. I've never seen anybody work as Q. Matt, you're wearing the t-shirt that says, "Never hard as him and his staff on this level of basketball and Lose the Chip," you have the mantra, The Secret is that's the main thing that attracted me here. He just in the Dirt. Behind the cliches, what is the deep works so hard. He's a workaholic and I appreciate that down identity of this team, and how does that coming from a head coach because I know how hard come about over the course of the season when I'm willing to work to be successful and he's willing to you have so many new players? work even harder. MATT MOONEY: I think we have a lot of guys who aren't five-star guys, coaching staff and Coach Beard THE MODERATOR: With that we're going to let the who came from a mid-major and started out coaching student-athletes go back to their breakout rooms. random teams and has worked his way up and a lot of our guys are the staple way. We try to embrace that, Q. You talk about four-minute games, 40-minute you know. We weren't the highest recruited guys, but games that you guys play. I know you were at this that not doesn't mean we can't compete with the best point last year but how do you manage your team of the country. We just try to work at it every day. to not let them get too high, knowing that they're Don't Lose Your Chip represents that. Secrets in the that close to the school's first every Final Four? Dirt represents that. Working for it every day. CHRIS BEARD: Stay with your routine to try to be who you are. Ultimately you gotta trust your players. As a Q. For Tariq and Matt, you weren't here last year, coach you can only do so much. We're led by these but how much were you guys motivated to get back four seniors. We have the experience. We have the to the Elite Eight or both of you guys were in your maturity, but it's like that fine line, next game on the first NCAA Tournaments, but the motivation that schedule, but you've also got to live in the reality that the team had to get back to this level, what was you're playing, you're forty minutes from a Final Four. that like and what was it like for you buying into that process? I think ultimately you rely on your players, the TARIQ OWENS: Just the fact that knowing coming in, leadership of your players, the voice in that locker room knowing where the team before had been was major and for me I sleep well at night these days because for me. I knew I had never played in a NCAA these four seniors led by Norense it's the best Tournament and the guys here just experienced it, I leadership I've ever coached. knew it was big coming in and we were going to have to work for it. But it was something I was willing to THE MODERATOR: Would you like to introduce our

Rev #1 by #189 at 2019-03-29 22:35:00 GMT page 3 of 5 guest? Next game you might be three deep and if you get beat you're done and if you win you stay and you gotta play CHRIS BEARD: This is my youngest daughter, Margo. defense and you can't win on a fall. So that last She is good at questions. She has been around it her position gets down to where you're guarding and foul if whole life. you have to, and I've worked for great coaches, Tom Penders with a pressing style defense. Danny Kaspar, Q. One follow-up, Coach, I noticed Jim Rome one of the best coaches in the country, currently at the posted you with a bowl of Lucky Charms is that a Texas State and Shannon Hayes and Vick Trilli and pregame meal or a superstitious deal or number with Coach Knight and Pat we guarded at a high level one on the cereal hierarchy? and then I get hooked up with Mark Adams on our staff CHRIS BEARD: Starts with my relationship with Jim who deserves a lot of credit. He is one of the best Rome. I love college basketball and listen to the coaches I've every known and he is one of the best Jungle, and we're at Little Rock and had a special defensive coaches I've every been around. But he has team, a championship team that won 30 games and great way of teaching. He's an aggressive guy himself won game in this tournament and I get a chance to be and he's done a great job for us at Little Rock and here on the Jim Rome Show. I told our SID at Little Rock, at Texas Tech. Patrick, I want to eliminate all distractions. I don't want to do any of this stuff and the next day he came in and Q. When you get this job three years ago how do said I know you don't want to do anything, but Jim you go about installing that mentality? Does feel Rome and I was like, yeah, I'll do Jim Rome and I like this team embraces that to the Nth degrees? basically told him a story that he didn't remember. CHRIS BEARD: First it's about recruiting. We recruit There had been a Final Four at Phoenix. I was a junior guys that understand you are going to play defense, college coach, DII, we just got down there and crash we're going to hold you accountable, do a lot of on guys' couches and things like that and we were at listening and recruiting and players will tell you what this hotel just looking for a free buffet or something and they want and guys that are talking about me, me, me the elevator opens and it's Jim Rome and we're in the and shots and ball, not so much with us, they don't elevator with him and we kind of give him smack for really succeed. But guys that want to win and guys what he was talking about the day before on this show that want to guard and guys that understand, great and great dude he was like where y'all from we told him example of that. Zhaire Smith goes from top 100 the story. We're at the Final Four we had given all recruit to the 16th pick in the draft. He didn't get night. We were looking for something to eat. He said, drafted because he can't guard. I thought was the best hey, man, I'm on the top floor. Do not go in my room perimeter player in last year's draft. It's just who we and there is a concierge up there. He said, go up there are, our DNA. I don't think we're any different than and hit the concierge. I will never forget it. They had most contenders. Gonzaga plays defense, man. It prime rib sliders and water and bars. We killed it, man. might not be their identity, but they are hard to score So eight, nine years later I'm on the Rome Story and against, so many late shot clock possessions. You he vaguely remembered it and that's where our gotta go get a basket if you're going to beat Gonzaga. relationship is. But the whole idea with Lucky Charms I think we guard, but I think a lot of other people do, I've spent my whole life staying at the Courtyard, and too. they have the plastic thing that comes down and you and I both know that cereal is stale, man. But at the Q. Coach, there was a little exchange last night Elite Eight they have the Tiffany's bowl and the silver when some players were talking about not wanting spoon and I told Jim that the other day and somehow to deal with Coach Adams if they don't play he got a picture of it. But I love Lucky Charms, big- defense the right way and you referenced Michigan time cereal. State and I was wondering what your philosophy is on coaching hard what last week in some corners Q. I'm curious if you could trace your lineage of seemed to get criticized? your defensive philosophy, where that comes from, CHRIS BEARD: I think all great players want to be who are the key people that have helped you along coached. I've never coached any player than didn't the way and who have been your mentors? want to be disciplined, didn't want to be told the truth CHRIS BEARD: I played for great coaches, two high and didn't want to be coached. I think in today's world school Hall of Fame coaches in the state of Texas, somebody might get a clip of one isolated thing, but Mike Kuustadt and Terry Priest. I was never a great they don't know the relationship the coach has with that player, so I had to guard. If any man scored I wasn't player, the trust, bond, love, and the expectations. playing. Growing up in Irving we played outside at Where I'm at my lowest as a coach it doesn't happen Northwest Rec and in the Woodlands we played at the often but when a player is like, Coach, you okay today? W in Falconwing Park and you get out there and call. You bringing it? That's when I'm at my lowest. I want

Rev #1 by #189 at 2019-03-29 22:35:00 GMT page 4 of 5 my guys to know we bring it every single day and this his weight and change his body, basically has a pro morning I was tired. We worked hard last night, but body and spent a lot of time in the weight room and this morning I had to pop myself around made sure the conditioning. No. 2, just his skill development. He's a guys understood we're here. Let's go guys. We're great passer now. He can beat you with the pass or doing this. I'm pretty sure all around the country guys the shot or the rebound, added some things to his are getting coached at a high level and I think things game. That's what great players do, right? In my get caught in one isolated incident is my personal lifetime, Jordan comes in the league. Slasher, leaves opinion. the league, best 3-point shooter in the league. Kobe, LeBron, great passer, not just shooter. Culver has Q. Do you think it's mandatory that you have NBA done that. He thinks had he as a ceiling and I agree caliber talent on your roster to keep getting this far with him. Thirdly, he studies the game. He knows a lot every year? about his opponent, about hits, he knows a lot about CHRIS BEARD: Yes, yeah. In the Big 12 especially it's what's going on in the NBA. Wouldn't surprise me if he a talented league. You've got to get guys that can play. seen Gonzaga play on his laptop 10 or 15 times this I think there's different ways to get that talent. I think year. He loves the game, loves it. obviously, you know, some people can just recruit it, other people have to develop it and we all have to Q. Margo, what do you think about your dad? evaluate it. CHRIS BEARD: How do we feel about Gonzaga?

But we don't shy away from that. Our goal is to have a MARGO BEARD: We respect them a lot. They're one team at Texas Tech one day where every guy on the of the best teams in college basketballs and it's going team is an NBA player, I think if we can do that we will to be one of the best games in college basketball be eating Lucky Charms and hanging out with you on a history. regular basis, but no doubt about it to play on this stage you have to have pro's and you've got to evaluate CHRIS BEARD: Yes. and recruit and develop. Maybe one of the best games in this year's Q. You knew Texas Tech well. You had chances to tournament, maybe not history, but this year's coach elsewhere, but Texas Tech had never made it tournament. at this level and now two years in a row. Did you think that this program could get to this level and if MARGO BEARD: That's what you said. so what led you to believe that? CHRIS BEARD: Yes, I did. It's a great university. It's a CHRIS BEARD: I like it. great college town. It's got great basketball tradition, maybe not so much on the national scene lately but It's been great, coaching standpoint you just want to there was days when Coach Myers coached and live another day. I'm so excited. We're about to played that you couldn't get a seat at the old Coliseum, practice again. This time of year you get scared that great players and coaches have come before us, you might not get to coach these seniors against. I'm certainly my lifetime James Dickey had a special team going to enjoy the next hour more than I will enjoy the with Tony Battie, Darvin Ham, Lance Hughes, Sasser, game tomorrow just coaching these guys again. nearly broke the backboard against North Carolina, big-time coach. With Coach Knight, three tournament THE MODERATOR: Thanks, Coach. runs, NIT, had a great game against Gonzaga one time in Arizona, round 32 game and then Coach Smith, Tubby Smith, can't speak enough of him, the foundation we inherited, the discipline, the defense, the character in the program. But absolutely, I believed that Texas Tech could be a part of the fight every year, and that's what we're trying to do. We just want to be a part of the fight. If you're in the fight long enough eventually you're going to win it.

Q. Your players gave a little insight into Jarrett this year, but I wonder where you have seen him make the most strides to being the Big 12 Player of the Year? CHRIS BEARD: Threefold, he's continued to change

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