NIT Presser Transcription vs. Penn State
4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 1, 2009
NIT Press Conference
PREVIEW: Baylor vs. Penn State
Marriott Marquis--New York, NY
April 1, 2009
Scott Drew
Opening Statement:
Excited about the victory last night, excited about the championship game. As far as people asking if we got sleep, we will sleep after the tournament is over. We are going to start off with Lace and CJ, because college kids like to eat breakfast at 11 o'clock. We will get to them now so they can get downstairs and eat.
Curtis Jerrells
On playing his last game:
"I haven't really thought about it, I am just trying to keep playing but if this is going to be the last one, due to what we have accomplished, it is not like we have fallen short or anything. Like I said before, it is not the NCAA tournament, we are in the NIT but whatever you are doing you should be fully devoted to it. You should give it all of your effort and that is what we have done and we are in the championship of the NIT."
On winning tomorrow night:
"It would mean a lot. We didn't come into this tournament to lose. Our mentality is going to be the same."
On thinking about playing his last game:
"I don't think so because I want to win. Once you think about all of these other things it affects maybe the game and maybe the team. I am going to approach it like a regular game and we are going to go out and win it."
On his four years at Baylor:
"I have a lot of memories. Each day spent with the guys and the coaches is special in itself. Like I said, I can talk to you all day about memories."
On Penn State:
"We watched a lit bit in the first half and when we got to the room we checked them out a little bit. From what I saw, they seem to be a physical team. Coach has been stressing that, we have been playing different teams in different conferences who are supposed to be more physical than us. We play three guards so we are always undersized but we have been doing a good job preparing and performing."
On playing in the NBA:
"I have been auditioning for four years (laughs). I try not to think about those kinds of things and try to let my game speak for itself. Last night I got hot and appreciate my teammates being behind me. The same thing happened in the second half for this guy (Lace). That's what makes us, we just ride with whoever is doing it and we ride with whoever is doing it."
LaceDarius Dunn
On the team:
"We are playing with a lot of confidence right now. I think it came from the Big 12 tournament. I think we came in there with a chip on our shoulder and I think it carried on to here. Our team, our coaches know what we have to do to work hard and make it happen. I think if we continue to play like that we will be sizzle."
On the seniors:
"It means a lot. It is their last game at Baylor University. Them being seniors, they are going to the real world. It will be a great feeling not just for me but for them knowing they went out with a bang. That is what I am here for. I think we are going to go out to play hard not just for the coaches but as a team, as a family and for the seniors to go out with a bang."
More on the seniors:
"They are like big brothers. It started last year as a freshman. I really appreciate that and I learned a lot from the seniors. They have been here four years and told me what it takes to be successful and I really appreciate them for that."
On next year:
"I am not looking to next year until this year is over with. We have one more game left in the season. It is for the seniors, let them go out with a bang before they do whatever comes. When next year comes, we will focus on that."
Scott Drew
On scouting Penn State:
"We started that process last night, today we'll watch a lot more game film on them and obviously start going over scouting reports with the players and they will get very familiar with it. Very similar match-up as our team because they are very good at the perimeter and play a three-guard lineup throughout the game. That is something we match-up well with and at the same time if you like good guard play, you will see a lot of it and that will be something exciting for the fans."
On who Penn State plays like:
"Normally I am pretty good at coming up with that but give me a couple of hours. We have only seen two games. If we get to four or five games then I will tell you who they play like."
On tomorrow night's game:
"It is always about what we do at the same time we will be thorough just like the same as Penn State is. We will get as much information on them as we can, their tendencies, what they like to do. Again, we both match-up well against each other and obviously it is going to be exciting for both teams."
On Penn State's fans:
"All coaches realize any road win is a great win. You get those road wins it really builds team chemistry and camaraderie because its basically you versus the world when you are on the road. Penn State had a great following last night so basically it will be like a road game for us tomorrow."
On the seniors:
"I think anytime you can come into a program and walk away as the winningest class to ever step foot on the campus is something that speaks for itself. More than just that they have been class individuals that represent Baylor University in the right manner. They have been great models and representatives. There are countless stories on them signing autographs or talking to little kids or doing the things like that, that people might not know that really again make them the role models we want to have Baylor University. The big thing too is that it is a tough to graduate in four years. Three of them are on track to do it and the fourth already has his degree. That again speaks highly of what they have done and Baylor University, what a great job they do to make sure kids get their degrees."
On the program overcoming adversity:
"Adversity and tough times builds character. That was something that was difficult for all of us. It was even more difficult when we started playing games. I have used the example, it is like waiting till February to open a Christmas present and its not what you wanted. Because we were so far behind everyone else we weren't so successful. That was tougher to deal with than waiting to play almost."
On winning the championship:
"There are only two teams that end their season with a win. That is the NIT and NCAA tournament. We have been second twice in two tournaments. In the Anaheim, ESPN tournament we finished second to Wake Forest and then we finished second in the Big 12 tournament. We would love to finish first in one."
On playing a Big 10 school:
"I know starting in the conference tournament, the Big 12 tournament, you start off beating Nebraska, then you beat Texas and Kansas and you are on a roll, you feel like you can play and compete with anybody in the country and that is what we have done. We have had a chance to play everybody in every major conference except a Big 10 school so it is fitting now that we get to play a Big 10 school."
More on Penn State:
"Their perimeter is very good so because of that if we play zone we have to contest those outside shots. They also good at getting in the paint so we need to control penetration. (Jamelle) Cornley is also very good inside one-on-one. Anyone that is playing, if you are a final six team playing in the country, you are pretty good and we know we will have our hands full."
On the impact of postseason play:
"We want to take care of business and finish out this year but in the grand scheme of things, it just raises the bar for everybody else in the program and the people coming into the program. For the people who are in the program, last year going to the NCAA tournament, having a chance to experience post-season we were excited to get there but now, it is not just getting there. I think that has led to us being successful in the NIT. Having an opportunity to do what we have done in the NIT, I think, will build future postseason play for us."
More on the seniors:
"You don't like to get emotional in the mornings. I think the easiest thing I can say is they came in as young men and they are leaving adults. They came in as teenagers and are leaving adults. They are going to be successful in life. They are going to be successful after basketball. If they continue to play basketball, they will be successful. Mentally, physically, spiritually, academically, they have all grown. That is why coaches want to coach. One, it is about competition and winning but it is also about helping young men reach their goals and dreams. That gives us great joy and excitement as a coaching staff to see them mature and grow like they have over the four years."
