Jan. 18, 2001

On the Kansas State game
"Kansas State really played great. They came to play and they shot the ball well. I order for us to have won that game, we would have needed a higher level of energy and we didn't have that on that night. It shows the youth of our team."

On preparing his team for the K-State game
"There were many factors and I think I could have done better. I talked with the team about what might happen. We are now the hunted instead of the hunter. As far as the game itself, I thought Kareem's foul trouble played a big role. We must learn to play without Kareem in the game. We can't get blown out when he is on the bench and if we can't do that then we won't go very far anyway."

On whether the last game was a fluke
"It wasn't a fluke. It didn't just happen. That was us. We are that team. I hope we fell pressure to get better. We practiced well yesterday and were focused, but we just have to grow up quicker than some teams."

On the Virginia game, a non-conference game during conference season
"It is a different game and it is not bad to play a non-conference game right now and get a gauge on were we are. They do things differently from some of the teams we have played this year as far as multiple presses and traps from behind. They show many different looks, so it is a difficult game to prepare to play in this portion of the season. Playing against the ACC will be fun. Virginia has a good club and they have been in the top-10 all year."

On his conversation with Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski when the Blue Devils played Virginia
"Yeah, I spoke with Coach K, he told me not watch the tape. He said Virginia had one of those nights and they will not be that team."

On the quickness of the Virginia guards
"They are very quick. They have the ability to break you down off the dribble and play in transition. They have a bunch of kids that can make plays, but their quickness extends beyond the backcourt. Their frontcourt is very quick and athletic."

On playing and coaching against Virginia at Virginia
"It is comparable to the hardest places in the Big 12 They have great tradition and it is a great place to play."

On the young post players getting early accolades
"They earned it. Travon (Bryant) played great at Colorado. They have played great, but you can't force or rush maturity, growth and progress. I think both Travon and Arthur (Johnson) are handling that well."

On balanced scoring
"I think balanced scoring is always difficult to defend and you can't plan to take one man out of the game plan. It takes a balanced defense to counter the balanced offense."