March 23, 2008

Head Coach Darrin Horn

On the ebb and flow of the game and the defense on Brandon Johnson...
"We thought that was the key to the game. He's a player that they really go as he goes. We ran a lot of guys at him and wore him down. The pace was to our advantage for about 30 minutes and then for about six or seven, they had the upper hand, but our guys finished off strong."

On how Courtney Lee's stepped up at the end of the game...
"Well, he did. This kid is as good as there is in America at his position. He's a phenomenal teammate and what gets overlooked when he doesn't get 29 points is the big rebounds and the blocked shots and the big stops like he got tonight in the last couple of minutes when we needed it."

On getting his alma mater to the Sweet 16...
"I'm just unbelievably happy for these kids. These guys have worked hard. They're great kids and they deserve it. I'm really happy for our players and our program."

On UCLA getting ready to try to defend Courtney Lee...
"I'm sure they'll be ready, but we're going to be ready, too."

Senior Guard Courtney Lee

On being able to stave off another run by the other team...
"Our team just stepped up tremendously. We have tremendous confidence and we just have tremendous poise and high character. We were just out there having fun, playing for each other."

On what it means getting to the Sweet 16...
"Like I said yesterday, it's an indescribable feeling. I'm just so happy. I just give thanks to God. He led us here the whole way."