March 28, 2010

Duke – 78 ecstatic, proud, feel very honored and privileged to Baylor – 71 be going to the Final Four. THE MODERATOR: Questions for the An interview with: student-athletes.

Q. The last TV timeout you were down one, Nolan was getting ready to go to the free-throw line. Coach sent you out back to the court real early, 30 seconds or more before the buzzer went. What was that timeout like, and what was said amongst you guys when you went back out there at a time when the game was obviously on the line?

JON SCHEYER: Yeah. Well, the one thing throughout the whole game, not only during that one sequence, but we kept telling each other: We need stops and we're going to win. Mentally you need to stay so tough in that type of game THE MODERATOR: Coach, your opening because they keep coming at you. comments. So when there is crunch time there in the COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Well, we won an end, we just said this is all we've been working for outstanding game. I thought it was a the whole year. We want to be in situations like great game. It's a great this. And the five of us looked at each other and basketball game. said, Let's go. Both teams played really well, and really hard. I think our offensive rebounding kept us in it Q. Can you touch on that in a sense of and really was the key there to get some when you come to Duke you guys are expected separation in the last four minutes. When we got to go to Final Fours and contend for National those two offensive rebounds, one was kicked out Championships. Says a lot about the program to Nolan and he hit a three, and one was kicked that it's been so long, since '04. But is it a out to Jon and he hit a three. special win today to get back to where Duke At that point when you get six points, as a belongs? coach you think of two-point possessions. So : It's definitely a very you're three two-point possessions up as a result special win. This team has worked so hard starting of two shots and two rebounds. in the summertime until now. Really working hard, I thought it just knocked them back for just and we have such great team chemistry. We're a second and it gave us a little wiggle room where having fun playing together. we just got that separation. These two kids played This team from the beginning of this great basketball games. Nolan and Jon were tournament has been living in the moment. Really fantastic in handling the zone, and then playing enjoying every single game, and you know, just defense. playing hard. And it just feels great right now. Carter is a really good basketball player. He didn't dominate, which he could in a ballgame. Q. Wondered if you could talk about Nolan did a very nice job on him. So we're Lance Thomas getting on the offensive board

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visit our archives at asapsports.com and the charge that Zoubek drew when Acy we knew we just needed to focus on defense. drove and could have put him up four or five? That was the biggest key. He gets the charge in that situation, and those two plays and two players contribute. Q. Could you talk about your ability to : Yeah, those were two of get to the basket against their zone, especially the biggest plays of the game. Zoubek especially in the first half? And could both of you talk coming over with a guy like Acy, too, it takes a lot about ? This is a kid that could of guts. And it was a big swing. Instead of ending, have been in high school this year and he had I think it was four, it's a two-point game, we're still two huge threes in the first half. in it. With Lance, he had a couple of plays where NOLAN SMITH: I guess the zone, we he kept the ball alive, which he doesn't necessarily were really aggressive against it. We used our get credit for, it's not a stat. And then the tip and bigs. We just really wanted to attack it. Not let it dunk was just a huge play. Really a huge play. If stand us up, and we were able to get into the paint not the biggest, one of the biggest of the game. against it. For Andre, he's not scared. When he Q. Can you talk about the offensive comes to the game he looks like a 25-year-old out that you-all got? Did you-all do there on the court. He feels comfortable whenever anything different as far as just being able to he comes in. He's not afraid to shoot the ball. get so many of them? JON SCHEYER: Yeah, with Andre, he NOLAN SMITH: We didn't do anything gave us a big lift. Especially we were struggling a different. Our guys inside they just go after the ball little bit in that first half to get some points. We with two hands. They've been doing that all year. were a little out of rhythm. So his two threes were They didn't change their game plan for this game. huge, especially the second one when we were They attacked the ball and they gave us so many down six to cut to three. So that was a huge shot second shots. They just made big plays like that especially. all the time. Q. Can you talk about you shot Q. Here finally in your senior season considerably better today than you had you've reached a Final Four. What does it previously in the tournament. Did you make an mean to you now after the previous three years adjustment, were they just falling tonight or did to finally get there? you do something different? JON SCHEYER: It means a lot. We're JON SCHEYER: Just coming into the happy to get this win. We've worked really hard, game I wasn't going to worry about or think about this group, and I think we've come a long way my shot. I was just going to let it go if I was open. since our freshman year. And to be in a position in Just play my game, not worry about just being a the Final Four and contend for a National spot-up shooter or anything like that. I really want Championship, it means a lot. I don't know if it's to follow my instincts and not worry about it. Just fully hit me. I'm sure after the year I'll have a better throw myself into the team, and naturally it just appreciation. But right now I'm just ecstatic and goes in when you're doing that. just really happy to share with all my teammates. Q. The two teams you had to beat to Q. Talk about you mentioned earlier get to this place, how physical was it? You had about the tip-in dunk. Was that at the point to earn these wins, how physical was it? when you-all felt the separation was going to JON SCHEYER: Yeah, these two teams happen? that we played, Purdue and Baylor, Baylor's JON SCHEYER: A little bit. I think with bigger, but Purdue is such a physical team. And Baylor, especially with Dunn and Carter, you never then Baylor, oh, they're real physical and made us feel really comfortable even when you get a six- or work for everything. eight-point lead, because two possessions they They matched us with our size. They're could hit two threes. So we felt really comfortable bigger than us, probably. So we had to work for with about five seconds on the clock. every rebound. It was one of those games where it But when that happened though, it was a possession-by-possession game against a definitely gave us a little bit of comfort room. And

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visit our archives at asapsports.com really tough team. played all year. He's just a terrific basketball player. Q. We asked you this in Jacksonville Although he scored 22 points, his threes when you went 1 for 11. But did you ever think didn't hurt us. He was 2 for 8. Some of that has to you'd win a regional championship game with do with Kyle running around. I mean, Dunn is Kyle going 0 for 10 from the floor? capable of a 35-40 point game. He's that good. JON SCHEYER: Yeah. Well, it's He is that good. happened with me before. With the three of us, we So everybody contributed. And to see just want to pick each other up. And Kyle was Andre contribute like he did was great. I thought chasing around Dunn the whole game, too. He did our bigs had some problems initially with the a great job on him. That can take a lot of energy athleticism. The kid, Acy, is a great athlete. And up. he played a lot more minutes than he normally But the job he did on Dunn, that's a big lift does because they hit on a great lineup. They hit for our team. So it's not always about what we do on a really athletic lineup against us. And that was in terms of shooting. If we have a couple of off difficult for us to adjust to. shooting nights, but usually the three of us try to They did a nice job of initially Acy usually make up for it in other ways. And Kyle obviously slips screens. And in the first half he didn't. So did that tonight guarding one of the best players in that opened up some of their shooters. Second the country. half, after a timeout, he slips and gets a dunk. So THE MODERATOR: Questions for Coach they're well-coached. They use their personnel Krzyzewski. tremendously. And the kid, Acy, he played a great game. Q. I know how close these three They're one of the best teams we've seniors have been to you. What does it mean played. They're very, very good. to you and how significant is it to get them to a Final Four finally? Q. I wanted to ask you to talk about the COACH KRZYZEWSKI: They got me to a decision to guard Dunn with Singler. Jon was Final Four finally. Like I said yesterday for those of guarding a 6'11" guy to start with. So it's you who were here, it's not about the moments that obviously not the conventional match-up. I've been in, it's the moment that your players put What's behind that? What is going through you in right now. I'm really happy for this group. your mind when he gets the two quick fouls You get a chance to win a Regional Championship and you come back out with it in the second game and go to the Final Four, it's something that half? will be a part of your life forever. COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Yeah. The first This team will really be brothers forever. half was disjointed for us because of fouls, and we It's as close a team as I've had. You want great committed them. Kyle committed two fouls that he things to happen for people who are great with us. normally doesn't commit. But they were fouls, and I mean, they've been spectacular to coach. You they were not a veteran's foul, either one of them. can tell they're really close. So I'm ecstatic about I think in his anxiety to cover Dunn, he got it. I can't tell you how happy I am about them out of his game a little bit. Then that created a lot taking our staff to Indianapolis. going on for us. It was so good for Andre to step in and fill in, just like he did in the ACC Championship Q. As far as the moments in this game, game when Nolan had two quick fouls. are you particularly proud of the fact that it was We thought his height might bother Dunn. a team, as they mentioned Dawkins, a couple of Kyle's as quick as Jon, so he can guard a two big threes, Zoubek with the draw charge, and guard. Just to chase him around. Then if they had Thomas with the offensive board work. It to switch, Lance could go on him, too. We thought wasn't just the big three today, right? just a little bit of a height would make him more of COACH KRZYZEWSKI: No, no, it was a driver than a shooter. tough. Even though Nolan got 29, which is But, again, he got 22 points. It's not like it spectacular and Jon hits five threes. They made a was a heck of a thing or anything. At least he good point. Kyle didn't get a bucket, he hit five free didn't get 35. You know, that kid's good. I really throws, but he's chasing Dunn around the whole game. Dunn is as good a two-guard as we've

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visit our archives at asapsports.com like that kid. He's an assassin. to get better. I thought actually the game situations we were in in all three of them, tough Q. This year's tournament you're going free throws. Kyle was 0 for 10 today, but I've seen in with the No. 1 team with a target on your a game where Jon's 1 for 11. If Kyle had one more back because all the No. 1s this year has shot he would have matched him probably. produced some real major upsets. You have a We won because we played defense and huge target because you are the only No. 1 to rebounded. I thought in today's game it was get there. How do you quantify this team and one-day preparation. Their zone is very good. But this tournament and put in any context what you have to do a lot in your preparation for that your overall status of 30 years at Duke? Then zone in one day. you brought the US Team back with the gold. I thought we did a good job against it. But How do you quantify and put this team in what happened, I think, is we were thinking as a perspective with your career? team about the zone, and we forgot to think about COACH KRZYZEWSKI: You bring up a playing defense and rebounding like we could. good point about a target. We've had a target on And that's what we tried to remind our team of at our backs for about 25 years since we went to our halftime is guys were even talking like, We need to first Final Four in '86. So these kids are do this against them. And I said, Hey, we're okay accustomed to that. against the zone. We need to rebound and play We play in a great conference. We defense. We need to remember who we are. And played, I thought, although people, I don't know. I they did that. They did that. think we're 33-5 now. We've lost on the road. But We still attacked the zone, I thought, fairly we've learned on the road. well. In February and March, the only game we lost on the road after Georgetown was at Q. Smith hits a three right in front of Maryland. And if we hit two shots, we could have you. 60-59, with 4 minutes to go, put you guys won, and they hit two shots. So we were up by one. And you jump up in the air. How accustomed to this type of environment. fired up were you at that point? You coached For our guys to learn along the way like so many big games. that is unbelievably gratifying to me. I don't like to COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I think it put us up say this one's better than another or whatever. by more than one. By three, four. It was tied at This one is really good. I mean, I want to just that time. He was right in front of me. So as soon enjoy it with these guys. as he got it, I said, shoot it! Just, that's one I never had a group exactly like this one. advantage of being on the stool. You're right Again, we're not a great team, but we are really a there. good team. But we have great character. To be Just because you've got to take advantage around that character on a day-to-day basis is so of the moment instead of taking it back out and fulfilling for me. That's why I'm very, very happy for setting up. We just said shoot it. He shot it. And them. that's why he acknowledged me right after with a With the Olympics I was happy for me and big smile. So that was a cool thing. That was a Kobe and LeBron and all those guys. Tonight I'm nice thing (smiling). really happy for Jon Scheyer and Lance Thomas and and Nolan and these guys. It's Q. I was wondering if you could talk just a different feeling. I wish I had a better about the Lance Thomas two rebound plays at vocabulary, there are probably better words than the end? Also the fact that because of the zone I'm saying, but I hope you understand what I mean. your big men had to be feeders in a way in this game that they haven't been to that extent all Q. You went to Greensboro this year year. and so did the team, you had them ready COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Well, good obviously and such a tough mindset. It was points. I mean, Lance again, nine rebounds. That like the mission was started. Are we seeing finish was huge. But he played really good something now that started then or started defense, too. Getting an extra possession, when after that Maryland game? you have 23 offensive rebounds, that means you COACH KRZYZEWSKI: Well, I think in February that we used the ACC Tournament week

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visit our archives at asapsports.com had 23 extra possessions. They had 17, so it was, Baylor – 71 you know, a heck of a rebounding game. That meant that a team has to play An interview with: defense again. They play defense. The shot was taken. A lot of times the exchange is over. When you get an offensive rebound, the team now has to play a multiple exchange on defense. Then what can you do at that moment? And those moments we were able to score. And that's what an offensive rebound does. It was tough to score on them inside. They're such a great shot blocking team. I thought overall our big guys handled it well. And it kicked out really well against the zone.

We weren't able to finish as much, but we were able to kick out for pretty good shots.

Q. Last TV timeout you're down one, 3:50 left. The timeout you were talking about reminding them of who you are. Play defensive THE MODERATOR: Coach, your opening rebounds. Is that what you said during that comments. timeout because that's exactly what you did? COACH DREW: These are the hardest COACH KRZYZEWSKI: I said you guys press conference of the year always when you are fighting now. Like you're who you are, you have to say goodbye to players that blessed you know. Just be yourselves. Keep fighting, and it for their career, and helped make your program. will work out well. You'll figure it out. But at the same time we want to thank all the fans. Throughout the second half I sensed my I thought we had a tremendous showing. Did we team getting better. I didn't think -- I thought they break the regional record? No, we didn't. But won the first half by probably more than three second largest crowd. Want to thank all the state points. Thank goodness Andre hit a couple. But in of Texas fans and all the Big 12 fans and all the the second half I thought we won it by a little bit. Baylor fans for cheering for us and being here to We kept winning it by a little bit until finally I support us. thought we were at our best in the last two We have to give Duke credit. They got big offensive rebounds, they made big threes, 11 for

March 28, 2010

minutes. Again, that's what I'm proud of for our 23. So they won the game, and we wish them guys. It wasn't like calling a play or anything, they good luck. did it on their own. Q. Obviously the offensive rebounds FastScripts by ASAP Sports were a key. Were they just a real physical team Duke – 78

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visit our archives at asapsports.com or how do you explain that? TWEETY CARTER: You know, God EKPE UDOH: I mean, they just went after blessed us all this year. Even with this loss, we felt it. Can't really explain it. They did a good job. like we gave everything we had. You know, we Lance Thomas had 8. Just, I don't know, we just didn't come out on top, but we know that this couldn't keep them off the glass. It hurt us Baylor team fought all this year. Through ups and because they were getting kickout threes. downs, and people doubting us, you know, we fought. Q. Your production fell off a little bit in But we've been playing this way all year the second half. It seemed like in the half court long. Credit to them. They came out and they won game you all were struggling a little bit to find the game. your shots. Can you just talk about maybe that seven-minute span where you guys didn't get a Q. Just talk about your experience not ? only in the tournament, but your time at Baylor LACEDARIUS DUNN: Well, just got to and what impact it's had on your life? give credit to the Duke defense. They pressured TWEETY CARTER: I'd like to just thank us and really took us out of our comfort zone and God for this opportunity. You know, I learned a lot. allowed us not to run our offense, you know. I learned a lot all four years here. It's not over for But like I said, a lot of great things this program. It's not over for this team. You happened, but a lot of great things didn't. I just know, we're a family. We're going to always keep give them credit for their defense. in touch. You hate for it to end as far as you playing this year. You know, we worked to make it Q. I know this is a tough moment, but to the Final Four and win the National when Smith had the one and then Championship, but, you know, it didn't go that way. got the three-pointer for the four-point But God blessed us all this year, man. possession, how big of a swing of momentum And we're just thankful for this opportunity that we was that? Overall, Duke's defense, how much got today. did they frustrate your offensive rhythm? Not yours, but the team's. Q. Can you just talk about how proud TWEETY CARTER: Credit to them. Like you are of what all the team did this year? Lace just said. They came out, they executed well. LACEDARIUS DUNN: Well, I'm definitely They got kickouts to great shooters. Credit to their proud of the team and the things that we have shooters, they knocked down shots in this game. accomplished this year even though, you know, we You know, it's tough when you're playing didn't want this to be our ending point, but things defense for 30 seconds and they get a kickout happen. three. You know, they made big shots. They Just throughout this year the team just made big shots and credit to them. really pulled together and did some things that the outsiders didn't think we could do. You know, Q. You guys were up two, Quincy got a being picked 10 in the Big 12, making it to the Elite baseline drive and they called the charge. How Eight, getting to play a great team like Duke going big a play was that? If he would have scored to the Final Four. It's been a great season. you guys would have been up four. How big a Like I told my teammates, like Tweety said, play was that? it's not over for this program. It's not over for this EKPE UDOH: I mean, it wasn't that big. I team. I just think we had a great season. mean, you know, the ref made the call. We didn't I think my teammates should hold their get the stop. If we would have gotten the stop, it head up high and be proud of the things they've wouldn't have been as big. accomplished this year.

Q. You guys came to this game and Q. Just kind of the same thing. It's got you had a swagger. I know a lot of people were to be really tough to see this great run end for like: This is Duke and you should be y'all. intimidated. You guys had incredible swagger EKPE UDOH: I mean, it all started in the on the court. Can you talk about that approach summer. Nobody thought we had something to the game?

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visit our archives at asapsports.com special coming together. You know, we all just rolled off the rim. Was it a feeling that hey, came together and we loved each other. You we're missing an opportunity to get a little know, we fought each other. We made it to the distance? Elite Eight. I mean, I've never been to the COACH DREW: Well, I think if you look at tournament. This is a great experience. the stats, we shoot 46%, they shoot 36. I think we We thank God, but there it is. take that. You look at the turnovers, we have 11, they have 11. 14-11. They played great defense. Q. I think Singler was held without a You take that, you're happy with that. field goal, unless he got one late there, and Jon The big thing is the free-throw line. We Scheyer had some problems. But what was only shot 63%, and that's uncharacteristic in Nolan Smith? What did they do to enable conference play. We've shot better, in postseason Nolan Smith to get free for his big game? we've shot better. They shot close to 80%, that's TWEETY CARTER: You know, kickouts. what wins you close games. And second-chance The kickouts. He made big shots. Penetration, points is the big thing. If you take away those you know. He made floaters. You know, they just second-chance points, we haven't lost a game by played well all around. Singler didn't have his best more than 7 points all year long. The 7 points is game, but he gets an opportunity to play again. the difference right there. We hit our free throws, You're only as good as your last game. we don't give them second-chance points, they So, you know, he's going to come out and shoot 32% from the field, and different story. hopefully he'll play well in the next game. But he did some great things tonight defensively. Q. Do you think the season that your Rebounded, knocked down free throws. So I program has had effectively buries the past mean, he got the win, so he lives to play another and focuses now on Baylor's future? day. COACH DREW: I really hope so. I really feel it has. I do really want to thank all the fans in Q. Playing on this stage, actually the the state of Texas, because I really thought they way Reliant was and how the crowd was for came on and supported us. I thought Baylor you and what Coach Drew means to you? Nation supported us, and that was great because LACEDARIUS DUNN: Starts with the it's been a long time coming and we needed that. fans. Bringing the fans here and making us feel And that was super, and I'm really proud of that. like we were at home. I give all the credit to them. They've been behind us the whole season and just Q. From the expectations you guys had cheering us on. Like I said, they did a wonderful at the beginning of the year, how proud are you job of coming from behind and being with us. of your senior leaders like Tweety and Josh And Coach Drew, a great coach. Like I Lomers and guys like that? said before, I wouldn't trade him for anything. But COACH DREW: Can't put it into words he really just pulled this team together and made what they've done for the school, what they've this a special team. Like I said, people didn't think done for the team, what they've done for the it would be. But I think he did a great job of program. To see they're both going to graduate, coaching us this year, and getting us the points both have grown spiritually. That's what college that we need on and off the court. athletics is about. Like I said, you know, good luck to him throughout his career here. And he did a great job. Q. Can you talk about the fact that your He should hold his head up as well. Great season. team basically stood face-to-face with the big THE MODERATOR: Questions for Coach bad Duke and did not show any kind of Drew. intimidation and stuck with them throughout the whole entire game? Q. The players were asked about the COACH DREW: I've said this before, and point there in the second half when I think he I'll say it again. I'm just very blessed as a coach to missed seven straight field goals. The game have an opportunity to coach young men that all was still close, but at the time did you feel there year long have done great job leading the team was an opportunity there? I mean you had a with their upperclassman leadership. Coaches couple -- I know Tweety had three that kicked out, Ekpe had a look down low that kind of

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visit our archives at asapsports.com coach a lifetime and might not have a team like COACH DREW: Clearly after last season that. Tremendous leadership, and they deserve all when we lost the NIT Championship game, at that the credit and why we achieved what we did was point the upperclassmen and leaders said, Hey, clearly because of them. next year let's do something special. And they knew expectations would be low and people Q. It's kind of a back and forth game. wouldn't believe. But they said, We're going to go Y'all were up one and they go on a 12-1 run. out and we're going to do something. What was the difference down the stretch They put in the work over the summer with there? our strength coach. They did a great job in open COACH DREW: I know there were a gyms. They always talked about how tough they couple of key plays like there are in every game, played open gym games. and Duke made them. They slid over, took a big Again, great chemistry. Coaches can't charge. If they don't slide over, take charge, you deliver chemistry. That comes from players. go up four, you go up five. Then you rebound the We're fortunate enough that the players had it this missed free throw. That's a big swing. year. God blessed us, we didn't have any injuries As a coach, Duke won the game. They this year, any major injuries. Just had a great year. shot 47, 48% from three. If you look at the number, Jon Scheyer was struggling coming in. Q. You talked about the seniors. Does He made shots. And Nolan Smith, 4 for 6, he this class maybe mean a little bit more given made shots. As a coach, it's a lot easier when the what they bought into coming here than others other team earns it than when you just give it you've been around? away. COACH DREW: Whenever you break the Again, we only had 11 turnovers. Anyone school record in number of wins and set so many coming in would have said if you can hold them to firsts and when they've been around for four years 36%, you're going to do that. So I really felt they and Tweety Carter was the first McDonald's All won the game and we didn't lose it. American. He took the chance on the school, took a chance on Baylor University. And you're always Q. Could you just talk about how tough sad to see those guys go. a loss this was for you personally considering But the good thing is we had our third how you've seen these guys grow together on straight 20-win season, third straight postseason. the court and off the court? Had so many of our past players at the game COACH DREW: The toughest part of tonight. That's great to see. every season is always just the thought that it's the last time you're going to get a chance to coach the Q. Did you guys get away from your team, and last chance they're together. That's zone? It looked like the beginning of the game always the toughest, especially when it's been a you did. Were you running man-to-man or real close team, and a team that obviously has straight up man-to-man on them? done wonders for our program and the school. COACH DREW: No, that was our zone (laughing). But they did a good job of spreading us Q. How was Nolan able to break down out sometimes. I mean, they've got good players. your zone so well? But we just adjusted on our zone. And, again, I COACH DREW: Well, I think you really mean, most coaches would take 36% defensive have to credit it's a team game. You can't stop field goal percentage. everybody. Duke has multiple weapons. Some games someone's going to rise up and we all know Q. You huddled them up on the court about the big three. Today he was the one, and after the game. What was your message to the Jon Scheyer rose up and we did a good job team after this game? controlling Singler. But those two got loose and a COACH DREW: Thanks for asking that lot of it was because of the offensive rebounds. question. Because one thing that I really respect about football, for some reason has gotten this Q. Reflect on the commitment in this right. They always pray after games. Our guys particular group, when did it get started to get wanted to do that this year, and we prayed after to this point?

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visit our archives at asapsports.com every game. We've always invited the other team. And I just think that's a great way to always finish a game and give honor to God. I wish we'd do that throughout college basketball like they do in football, and high school, college, and pro, they always do it in football. I know we're not that stupid, coaches at college, so we've got to do that. I think that's something we can do.

Q. Can you just talk about how things changed for this program now that you've had this deep run into the tournament? And you're probably not going to catch teams by surprise anymore. COACH DREW: I think with the last two years with winning and getting to the postseason, people in our crowds are so much better at home now that when people come in, they know they're in for a tough game. I think we've gotten people's better performances because of two years ago going to the NCAA Tournament, last year the NIT. But I think this just brings your program to another level. Whenever you can advance to an Elite Eight, I think people look at you in a different light. Hopefully it will help with recruiting and continue to grow with the fan base and everything else.

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