Marquette University Athletics
Tom Crean Speaks to Media Following NCAA Tournament Announcment
3/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 10, 2002
Below are Marquette men's basketball head coach Tom Crean's comments from a March 10th press conference following the announcement of the Golden Eagles berth to the NCAA Tournament.
(On seeing the reaction of his players on hearing the announcment...)
"It's wonderful, the feeling of watching them, there was almost a delayed reaction when our name came on the screen, it came so fast, then the opponent came on and then they burst into cheers. It was nice to see. This is the icing on the cake now getting in a tournament like this, we are excited about this."
(On the 2001-02 season...)
"The whole season has just been one improvement time after another. We rebounded after some tough losses. We had a good weekend in the tournament. All these different experiences the team is going through is fantastic."
(On receiving a No. 5 seed...)
"I certainly would have like to been a little higher, but once I saw that Gonzaga seed come up, that was beyond belief. They are really good and we have first hand knowledge of it. It really doesn't matter right now, we are going against a tough tournament tested team. Our seniors know Tulsa from their freshman year. That will be a tough opponent for us."
(On preparing to play in a dome...)
"I don't know, unless we can go to Miller Park, I don't think we will have any way of doing it here. We have played in different environments. The fortunate thing is that we will have a chance to get in there on Wednesday and get a lot of shooting in there. It will be different for us, but hopefully it will be different for some other people too."
(On preparing for the NCAA Tournament...)
"These guys have never gotten ahead of themselves. We won't look ahead to anything else. We will take it as a two-game tournament process, we did that a Michigan State, I think that is the way you do this. You don't try to look ahead to see who is in the other brackets. It is all uncharted waters for these guys."
(On the Conference USA teams in the tournament...)
"I'm a league guy and I really do feel bad that Memphis didn't get in. I do think there is a lot of credence to the fact that Kelly Wise didn't play in the games they lost. When her was there, they were pretty good. I feel bad for them. I'm glad Charlotte got in, I thought they were very deserving. Our league needs to continue to pound on the door year round as to how good we are. You've got teams improving all the time. I think the league will be powerful, hopefully it will become a five or six bid league as time goes on, but three teams is one more than last year."
(On Marquette beating a zone defense...)
"I think the whole key to attacking zones is three things. You need good ball movement, and I thought yesterday we did that. We just didn't attack the gaps. The second most important part is are you going to get good looks. Yesterday I thought we did, we just didn't hit the shots consistently. The third most important part is if you can offensive rebound off of it. We didn't get the penetration we needed and we didn't knock down the open shots we had."
(On Tulsa...)
"I watched a little bit of Tulsa's Hawaii game. What they are is very aggressive. They are usually undersized, but aggressive. I know they are well coached. I don't know who I would compare them to but they usually have some undersized power players, quick guards and play great defense."
(On Codell Henry receiving tips from Mateen Cleaves...)
"Mateen Cleaves spoke to our team this morning (Sunday) and I couldn't have asked for a better speaker. He was wonderful, Cordell got to spend a little time around him and I think everyone's spirits are good. Mateen speaks from the heart, he is battle tested in many situations, especially during this time of the year."
(On nervousness in the NCAA tournament...)
"I don't think my nervousness changes (from the regular season). That day of the game is complete anguish, but then the game starts and you are fine. I really don't try to let my focus waver, I love this time of the year."
