NCAA Men's 1st and 2nd Rounds: Columbus Thursday, March 21, 2019 Columbus, Ohio Mike Hopkins : I do not remember that. 2011, I Jaylen Nowell was probably 10 years old. Probably somewhere in my backyard maybe, shooting. I don't know what I was doing. Do you remember? Washington Huskies MATISSE THYBULLE: No. I think for me and I know THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Washington for Jaylen as well, it's really exciting to be able to bring student-athletes Matisse Thybulle and Jaylen Nowell as U-Dub back to this stage because I know that Husky well as head coach Mike Hopkins. Questions for the has been known as a great program. And student-athletes first? they went through a stretch they were able to get out, play in March Madness for a little while and it's been Q. Matisse and Jaylen, after taking a look at Sam too long. And we're just really happy to be able to Merrill on tape or sort of as you guys get into Utah bring us back. State a bit, what jumps out at you about, first, Sam and then how they run their offense? Q. What's your campus experience been like since MATISSE THYBULLE: First thing for me is firstly how Sunday? Obviously there's a high level of talented he is as a scorer and just how he does it so excitement among the other students who are on effortlessly. He's able to put up big numbers and it's campus, and you guys are heroes for at least a few not by forcing things or taking bad shots. He's a great days, and hopefully more. team player. MATISSE THYBULLE: It's been cool just to see over the course of the year just how people have just And also to add on to that their team as a whole plays banned together and supporting us, whether it's been really well together. And it's cool to see, but, yeah, from professors to students to staff members. And it's they play well together and they have a great leader in been really cool to see how people are getting excited Sam and a great scorer with him as well. again about our basketball team.

JAYLEN NOWELL: He really moves the ball very well. Q. Matisse, what's the biggest difference you've He doesn't really force a lot of shots. That's something seen from Jaylen when he was a freshman coming you really need as a leader. He's been having a great in this season? What's the biggest development year and he's a really good player. He's been leading you've seen in his game? that team very well this whole year. MATISSE THYBULLE: That's a tough one. We've talked about it a little bit. When Jaylen got to U-Dub, Q. Matisse, just how have you guys gone about he was just a killer. He knew how to score. So his shaking off the loss in the conference tournament freshman year was a lot of that. You saw that with his and then entering March where a lot of teams come first game. Who comes out in their college debut and in really hot? scores 30 points? That's insane. MATISSE THYBULLE: I mean, it's always the next game. Win or loss, you can't dwell on it. For us we And I think his biggest development is just being -- he's moved on the second we got off the bus and we're become a greater, like a well-rounded player. He excited to be here and have this opportunity to play in thinks the game at a way higher level. He makes March Madness. everyone around him a lot better now. Just to be able to see how far he's come from that first year in just one Q. It's been since 2011, I believe, since year really has been really impressive. Washington's been back to the tournament. You guys were in late elementary school, middle school Q. I wanted to ask about Mike Hopkins. What have maybe then. Do either of you guys have any you seen him do in the last two years to start -- memory of that? And then your thoughts about maybe set his culture with the program? And he being the ones to get Washington back here? just got signed to an extension. Where do you see that development potentially going?

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-21 20:44:00 GMT page 1 of 4 JAYLEN NOWELL: Well, first, I would love to say I'm able to go and make plays and try and chase the Coach Hopkins has been one of the best coaches I ball around a little bit. And that's been, that's huge for could ever ask for. And when he comes in day in and me because just trying to be disruptive, I have to be day out, he works very hard on everything. He loves all able to go and get out and gamble sometimes and kind of us. We love him. And we just love coming in and of put our team in some tough situations. And they do working hard for him. an incredible job having my back.

And the first year was exciting. For him to come in and And honestly they make great plays out of that. So I especially this year with just the energy he gives us, he think from my own personal success a lot had to do brings us all as a team, brings us together even more with, one, Coach Hop, and, two, the four guys I have on as a family. That's really one thing that he really harps my back at all times. on is that we're all family and that's what we've all been. Q. When you were growing up, is that the style you had or is that something you grew into when your Q. What's been your experience like, Matisse, with body grew? Hopkins? Projecting forward maybe a little bit, MATISSE THYBULLE: Whenever my teams would where do you see maybe that culture and the press, they would throw me in the middle of the zone growth continuing to go? and I would pick off as many passes as possible. MATISSE THYBULLE: It's been good. We were joking about walking in here, about how he's a player's coach. Q. You really were Deion? I think that's a huge thing. I think going forward his COACH HOPKINS: Never played football. ability to build relationships with his guys -- we've only been with him for two years. But the guys to start off Q. What is the goofiest thing Hop as done hop, with him to see how their relationships grow, going into whether practice, on the bus or team meal, their third and fourth years. And just to be able to use whatever? that as a recruiting point going forward because we all JAYLEN NOWELL: That's a good question. There's so know we love him. And it's becoming more and more many highlights with this man. known throughout the country he's a great guy and a better coach. And the family he's created at U-Dub THE MODERATOR: Feel free to protect your playing has been great and we can't wait to see where it goes time at this point. (Laughter). from here. JAYLEN NOWELL: I don't know. That's a tough Q. He's got a ton of NCAA Tournament experience. question. I could think of plenty. What has that messaging been like from him? And you mentioned him being a player's coach. From MATISSE THYBULLE: He has -- sometimes he'll go on the experience perspective, like, how has he his little tangents, rants, and he'll start reenacting what messaged to you guys in Columbus? us players did on the court and just kind of making fun MATISSE THYBULLE: I think it's exciting to have a of us. One time he was frustrated at one of our guys coach -- and I think more importantly our coaching staff because he grabbed on the rim and got an offensive has a lot of experience in the tournament and has had interference. a lot of success. And being with people who have been here and done that at the highest level, it's pretty And he was re-enacting that play in our film room. And special, because none of us players have been able to like he jumped up and punched one of the little ceiling play at this level. panels and like shifted it so there was like a hole, and it didn't get fixed for weeks. That was pretty funny. And to have that comforting force in our coach and our coaching staff, knowing that they know what it's like, JAYLEN NOWELL: I've got one. We have this little bat what to expect is pretty reassuring and, like I said, that symbolizes our "Tougher Together" saying. So like comforting to have. sometimes he'll get kind of angry and he'll kind of pull it out, kind of point at us, like tell us everything we're Q. Matisse, Utah State's coach compared you to doing wrong. Deion Sanders and how you cover the court. I'm wondering what is it about this defense that's And one day he kind of pointed at us and held it up like allowed certain things in your game or just natural this, so everybody's kind of thinking, oh, he's about to things you have to blossom the way it has? hit somebody. But he kind of just put it up and just MATISSE THYBULLE: These guys. I mean, seriously, walked out the room and didn't say nothing. And we're we play zone and these guys load up the backside, so all like looking around like, okay, what is he about to

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-21 20:44:00 GMT page 2 of 4 do? Is he about to go break something in our locker an opportunity to play for a national championship. It's room or is he about to come back and really start really, really special. swinging on us? So that's one. That was one that I could actually -- crazy. It's one of those feelings that not only now but for the future you want to have for the rest of your life. Q. Didn't swing on anybody? JAYLEN NOWELL: No, he didn't swing on nobody. Q. Matisse and Jaylen mentioned you've done push-ups at press conferences, so we'll leave it up MATISSE THYBULLE: One thing he does a lot -- we to you when we finish up with questions. Just how don't think about it anymore -- he'll just drop and do important or maybe even awkward was it to get push-ups for no reason. He'll just get really excited your contract done during the season before the and start doing push-ups. NCAA Tournament, maybe to get that out of the way? Was the timing great or was this kind of -- He's done it in press conferences. I think the first one COACH HOPKINS: For me it's a simple -- I've always in U-Dub, he dropped down and did a couple. Push- believed in surrounding yourself with great people. ups are his thing. And I have at the . I'm excited to be there for a long time. But this is all about the Q. Is there anyone on your team or their team, is kids. This is the experience for the kids to have an there an X factor in this game? Maybe somebody opportunity to hopefully finish out what has been a who isn't getting, who isn't on this podium who successful season. It's not about me. It never has isn't getting a lot of attention but could be a big been. And next question. difference in this game? MATISSE THYBULLE: I don't know. For us it's kind of Q. Do you think this sends some type of a message -- we're pretty special in the way it could be any guy for as to the school's commitment to you and then any game. And we've shown that like throughout the your commitment to the school? season it doesn't really matter. We have guys who COACH HOPKINS: Like I said, surround yourself with step up coming off the bench. We have starters who great people, and I'm with an incredible university, and I step up who usually don't score that much. I think that love the kids that I coach. And just really blessed and makes us a pretty special team because it can come lucky to be there, to be the head coach. from anyone at any night. Q. It's been eight years, I believe, since And as for Utah State, they have a lot of guys who Washington's been to the tournament. Can you aren't very well known. And if you look at the numbers, talk about what that means to you and your players they have some really, really talented guys. And I don't to be the ones to bring the team back here and how think that a lot of people across the country know much important that was when you were back on campus about them. But I know they'll start hearing about their and that sort of thing? names coming up soon. And I think that us respecting COACH HOPKINS: I think I really believe in like the the scout and just being aware of our coverages will score takes care of itself. And what does that mean? help us a lot because they've got some firepower that It means you surround yourself with great people. I've just isn't talked about much. got an incredible staff. And you just try to get better every day. JAYLEN NOWELL: Like T said, we have a team that really has a lot of guys that can be on any given night. And you never know, people that ask me, is the speed So everybody's going to come out and play hard and of where you're at right now, does that matter? Did you that's one thing that we really take pride in. think it would be this fast? To be honest with you, you just focus on how we're going to get better. And for the other team they have a lot of guys as well. They're not as known. But they won the championship And so to see these guys grow, especially the seniors, for a reason. And they're a really good team. and our young guys, and to keep getting better and to keep getting better, you never think about it was eight THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Coach, your thoughts. years in the NCAA Tournament. Your goal is to get an opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament because COACH HOPKINS: Just so blessed and grateful to your ultimate goal is a chance to win the national have the opportunity to be in the NCAA Tournament. championship. That's what March Madness is all The last two years have been an incredible journey about. with our seniors sticking with the program and really working hard and having a really good year and getting So for me to have been a part of a whole group to get

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-21 20:44:00 GMT page 3 of 4 them to get that opportunity and to feel that is really, game. I remember hearing about him in the middle of really special. the year. They were talking about this great center at Utah State. Where did he come from? Who recruited Q. You've been to 18 tournaments, I think, as an him? Who did this? assistant coach. Is it different as the head coach, finally, especially since you were going to be the And obviously Craig Smith, he's done a tremendous head coach-designate at Syracuse? job. That league is very, very good. And to be able to COACH HOPKINS: I don't think it's different. The win the way they did is a credit to them. And it's going feeling -- Cam Dollar was a national champion at to be a heck of a challenge. And they pose a lot of UCLA. Dave Rice was a national champion at UNLV. challenges. So our staff experienced it, and what you're trying to do is to lead these young men to understanding what it Q. Is there an additional challenge for you being so takes to be successful and have a chance to be in this west and coming into the Midwest from just a time tournament, and to see them walk in that locker room adjustment? and seeing "Washington" and seeing their name tag, COACH HOPKINS: No. I think these kids, they go to and watching the tournament today, which I think today bed late. They've been studying. We've had finals. and tomorrow are the greatest day in sport. And to be These guys, just to have the opportunity to be here and a part of that, it's special. to play in such an incredible tournament and to play against the best competition in the country, that's what The one thing I've learned about being successful in you're trying to do and we have that opportunity. the tournament is it's special, it's great. But nothing changes. We talked about don't eat the cheese. It's Q. You've said a little bit about the contract about focusing in and there's one truth: To win the situation. But aside from surrounding yourself game, you've got to go out and execute your game with good people and trying to get the players plan. You've got to do it together. And when we've better, what about this is gratifying to you from a done that we've been a successful team this season. standpoint of being a career-long assistant at Syracuse and then making the statement with this Q. Curious, has there been any kind of messaging team these last two years; it's got to be a great with people from Syracuse, with Jim; and if so, degree of satisfaction for you personally? what have those interactions been like? And any COACH HOPKINS: I think at the end of the day there's thought you might have matched up with them no question. It's all about you're leading a bunch of going into this? young men and a staff to win. And to learn what it COACH HOPKINS: You know what, obviously takes to be successful in life. And they go hand in Syracuse raised me. It was a huge part of my life. I hand. know Coach Boeheim as well as I think anybody in the business. And I know he's proud watching. But I also And we've learned how to win. We've played together. know he's preparing his team just like we are. And I'm We've played as a unit. We've played for something sure after the season we'll get together and review the greater than ourselves. Everybody sacrificed a little of season and try to get better. But not a lot of each other to have this successful season. And that's communication other than I know he's rooting for us the type of culture we're trying to create. So to see that and I know we're rooting for them. and what you're selling every day on a day-to-day basis and hammering and hammering it into these kids and Q. Curious about how much you know about Utah then seeing it work and them seeing it work and having State and maybe some of the concerns you have success, that's what it's all about. And just so proud of facing Utah State. our guys. COACH HOPKINS: I think a lot of concerns, they're a heck of a team. Sam Merrill is one of the best players THE MODERATOR: Thank you. that nobody knows about around the country. We're talking about a guy who has got double the assists of anybody on their team. He's the combo guard. And you're talking about a guy who averages over 20 points a game. He goes to the foul line. He's a great shooter.

But not only that, if he's not open, he shares it. And there's not too many players like that in the country. Neemias Queta, a guy almost averages close to a double-double and averaging three shot blocks a

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