March 24, 2022 • 35 mins
With the college basketball tournament well underway, former collegiate stars and current players within the Celtics organization Payton Pritchard and Denzel Valentine join the show to look back on their tournament experiences. Pritchard appeared in two tournaments as a member of the Oregon Ducks, including a run to the national semifinals back in 2017 that ended in heartbreaking fashion. Valentine, meanwhile, played in four tournaments as a. member of the Michigan State Spartans, including a trip to the national semifinals and being shocked in the first round by 15th-seeded Middle Tennessee in 2016.
1:20 – Payton Pritchard joins the pod
3:20 – Pritchard remembers his close second-round game against Rhode Island, and why it mattered
4:40 – Pritchard dives into the experience of playing at the Final Four
5:37 – The discussion goes deep into Oregon’s gut-wrenching, semifinal loss to UNC in 2017
10:50 – Denzel Valentine joins the pod and explains what it’s like playing in the NCAA tournament
16:15 – The conversation begins to detail Valentine’s experience as Michigan State was shockingly upset in the first-round in 2016 by 15th-seeded Middle Tennessee
21:58 – Valentine speaks on the lack of pressure small schools and lower seeds feel when playing big programs, and how that leads to upsets
25:50 – Valentine remembers his experience as Michigan State made a run to the Final Four during his junior year
29:45 – What’s it like playing for Tom Izzo in a tournament? Valentine explains
32:00 – Valentine speaks about his brother, Drew, who coached his team at Loyola-Chicago to the tournament this year
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome everyone. This is View from the Rafters. It is
my absolute pleasure to welcome in one of the pillars
of this organization. Everybody, forget good works, don't go there,
not yet. Will we talk about you haven't told him
like he had just come off the battlefield. I know
what a dream is to work with. Half our listeners
probably don't even know what that is. Always gonna be
green baby. Welcome to View from the Rafters behind the
(00:25):
scenes with the Buston Celtics, presented by Cardless. Here's your host,
Mark Demiko. Ladies and gentlemen, it is officially turning time.
We are a week into the college tournament and as
is every year, we've had upsets, we've had Cinderella's, we've
got some of the top powerhouses in the nation moving on,
and since it's that time of the year again, we
(00:46):
wanted to dive in with some of the Celtics players
on what it's like to be a part of the
n c a A tournament and some of their top
memories from their runs. And listen, not all of those
memories are good ones, by the way. We wanted to
not only talk about the highs of making a run
to the Final four, but also about the loads of
maybe being on the wrong end of some of these
memorable upsets. So let's jump right into the conversation. First up,
(01:10):
we've got Peyton Pritchard on to talk about his run
to the Final four as a freshman back in two
thousand seventeen at Oregon. Enjoyed the conversation. Alright, Payton, it's
tournament time. Everyone's favorite time of the year in March
madness and whatnot. How closely have you followed the tournament
in the two years since you graduated and came into
the NBA. I probably followed it more last year since
(01:30):
Oregon was in it, but um, you know, when it's on,
everybody watches. I mean it's a good time of the year.
Uh So, you know, I like to get in the action.
So I gotta ask you about your senior year because
you played in two tournaments, but your senior year obviously
got canceled. How tough was that for you and you
guys were trying to make a run top fifteen team
in the country. Yeah, no, I think we've probably had
(01:51):
a good chance of winning. And the year we were
you know, we were loaded and we were clicking at
the right time. Um, you know, but everybody got disappointed
that year. So from me, it was like I was
transitioning into getting ready for the league at that time,
so I kind of took my focus from that too,
getting ready. So but I mean looking back, and it
was disappointed because it probably could have made some happen.
(02:11):
So let's rewind and focus on freshman year. Freshman year,
this guy makes a run to the final four and
not only were you playing as a freshman, you were
playing huge minutes as a freshman, playing a key role.
What do you remember about that run to the final
four during your freshman year at Oregon? Oh, man, that
was spectacularly. I mean, we had so many good players.
We had like five of us end up going pro,
I mean four at the same time, but then later
(02:33):
but um, it just you know special. Um we end
up losing the NORTHCAA final four though off of like
not we're going into it not rebounding off of free though.
But um, yeah, no, it was special. I mean just
those moments that you you do with your teammates and
just the feeling of it. It's crazy, all right. So
(02:54):
we're gonna get into what you just talked about there
at the end of this conversation, But let's go through
kind of your run to the final four. First game, Iona,
that's who you guys played is I think you're got
three seed that year and you scored eighteen points in
your first n c A tournament game. What do you
remember about that game and kind of your first experience
of the attorney Uh. I remember us beating them pretty
(03:16):
good and everybody feeling good. So I think that was
That's all you can really say about that one. We
just we handled our business and then we played h
Rhode Island, which ended up giving us fits and we
almost lost actually so and I think scored sixth straight
at the end of the game, right yeah. I think
every team needs to go through like one tough game
every march. Man, I sware that you kind of get lucky,
(03:37):
like we got lucky a little bit, so so how
it goes. That's what I was going to ask you about,
like that Rhode Island game, And just to get into
a little bit more, I think Tyler Dorsey made two
three pointers in the final like minute or something like
that for you guys to win it by three, and
that was one of three of your five games. I
think came down to like one possession games that when
you guys pulled out after that game, is that like
(03:58):
when the momentum starts to build old within the locker
room and you feel something brewing. Yeah, um, I think
we were almost just like have we you know, we
moved on. We were like that would have been like
an upset, so we knew we should have took care
of them, but you know, it's a lot closer we wanted.
And then I think another one point against Michigan that
was real tight. Uh, they took us right down to
(04:19):
the wire. And then Kansas we handled pretty good. I
think you beat him by like fifteen or something. Yeah,
we did. That was crazy because it was like filled
with just Kansas fans and we you know, we good. Yeah,
we went in there and took care of them. So
you get to the final four. Um. I talked to
Denzel Valentine about what the Final four experiences. What is
We're going to hear about that later in the episode,
(04:40):
but you're what you remember and like what that experience
is like to actually be a part of that, because
it's like a big time as opposed to like just
that first second round, etcetera. Well, I think there's nothing
like it in sports. I mean, you're playing in a
football stadium. You know, it's like there's no other basketball
venue like the Final Four. So to play in the
middle of football stadium with that many fans, it's it's
(05:03):
definitely a special special moment for you know, people to
live is crazy. How long did it take you to
adjust to play in in I mean, like how many
practices and whatnot? Because we only practice perception, right, is
that is what changed? We only practice it like once
maybe twice. That's one time in two times. Yeah, oh
my god. It was crazy. But honestly, I hit my
(05:23):
first two shots on the games and so you didn't
even care. Yeah I was. I was good to go
after that. So let's talk about that Final Four game
against you and see, um, what do you remember from
the first half and like that, the first thirty minutes
or so of the game, they were beating us pretty good.
I think we came back for what I remember, and
then um it was back and fourth game, I remember
(05:44):
them being extremely big and rebounding all over narrow one seed.
Just so everyone knows, you guys are three, they were one.
So I went down to wire and then we end up.
They were shooting free throws and I think they missed
two one on ones in a row, and they got
the rebound on both of them. So then you know,
obviously if we would have got the rebound, who knows,
you know, it's smart, so some special could have happened.
(06:05):
And so I went back and watched that back as
I was preparing to have this conversation with you. It
like hurts me inside to watch it because you guys
were down by one. You you follow and send. I
think it was Meeks went to the free throw line
for his first two first two free throws with like
five point four seconds left, So even if he makes
them both, you guys are gonna have a chance to
potentially take one of those March Madness threes. Tied up
(06:27):
sent it to overtime. He misses the first front room.
This is the second front rim, and you're actually right
there when he comes in when one of the U
n C guys comes in and kind of does a
tap out rebound, what's going through your head? And like,
how's that feeling in that moment when they tapped that
out and you had a chance. It was tough. I mean,
(06:48):
I think it was me and Jordans on the block together.
Um uh, you know, he made a good play and
then a day it's like, you know, maybe we could
have done it differently, but you know, he made a
play help us team win and it was end of that.
But but you gets still had another shot, like you
follow them again with four seconds left in exact same situation.
We did send him to the line. They missed both
(07:11):
and they got the rebound again. Like that had t
s things so bad? And it was it was terrible. Yeah,
it was bad. It wasn't good. But what was what
was like the locker room? Like after that, I used
to take us in that inside that experience. You're making
this incredible run to the final four, and then it's
all I don't know if you could really say much
after that. I mean, you know, obviously guys are upset.
(07:32):
Everybody's hard on themselves. So as a coach and you know,
being a teammate and stuff, it's like you kind of
have to move on quickly and just acknowledge that run
we went on and just like it was a great season.
You know, not many people can make instead the final four,
even though we probably should have moved on and been
in championship or something like that. But for us, it
was just unbelievable memories that will remember forever. What's your
(07:54):
top memory of like that that whole year? Honestly, we
played U C. L A and I think they were
number one at the time or something like that, and
we Dylan Brooks hit a game winner. Um, like it's cold, uh,
and then you know, we stared the court, which was
just it was crazy. It's awesome. Yeah, um U n
C As I said, the one seed, they beat you
(08:15):
by one point, then they go into the championship game
and they wind up winning. Does that I'm just curious
from from our outsider perspectives, does that make you feel
better or does that make you feel worse that the
team you lost to went on? I mean, I think
it's you know, I guess both times I've been in
the tournament, I've lost the championship team, So I think
that's better. That's good. Yeah. So like my junior see
(08:37):
sixth team, we lost to Virginia, so they end up winning,
but we took both of the championship teams to the
wire and had a chance to beat him. So that's
all you can ask for young kids. Who are listening
to this who want to go and play college basketball, Like,
what would you tell them about? Just like how awesome
the experiences to like to get into the tournament, even
(08:58):
if it's one of those low seeds, like a six
teams I think, I think, h it doesn't matter what
seed you are. Um, everybody got a chance to win.
I mean we've seen six teams speed one now, so
I think for anybody, just get a chance to go
there and and compete for a championship of unreal, it's nothing,
nothing is like it. Everybody's gonna be watching, so you
know it's your one shining moment. What do you think
(09:19):
about this St. Peter's team getting to this? I always
root for an underdog. So but that's one of the
tough things about when when college players are playing, Like
if you're a one, two, three seed, you're fighting against
the entire crowd rooting for that underdog. If it's a
close game down the line, what do you remember in
terms of like what the crowd was like as that
(09:40):
was going on. Uh, well there was a lot of
Oregon fans, so okay, yeah, so there wasn't many Rhode
Island fans. So I think I got a different view,
but um, I mean, obviously people are rooting for rounderdogs
and at the time we were we weren't worried about
none of that. But well, hey, that's part of March madness, right,
Everyone loves to see those low seeds move on. Wish
you could have won a title, but making it to
(10:01):
a final four, Ye're always gonna have those memories. So congrats,
thank you. Think we're gonna hear from Denzel Valentine coming
up next about his run to the final four and
unfortunately he lost to a fifteen seed in the first
so we hear them him on that, right, appreciate. The
time of today's episode is presented by the Boston Celtics
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(10:22):
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(10:46):
Forward slash Celtics. Alright, we got Denzel Valentine on loan
to us from the main Celtics. We appreciate you coming on. Man.
How how are how are things hanging right now? Man?
Things are good. Man. I think I planned on planning,
so I'm excited to get back. All right. So everyone
knows it's that time of the year, all of our
favorite time of the year. We all grow up watching
(11:07):
March Madness, the n c A tournament. Crazy stuff happens
at this time of the year. You went through it
four times as a college player at Michigan State. What
is the experience, Like, I mean, as you watch it
every year growing up as a basketball guy, you know
it and then finally like you're a part of it.
What does it actually like to be in it? It's
(11:28):
a great feeling, um, you know going in the arena,
you know with all those fans getting ready, you know,
you know a schools or whatever, how many schools it
is in there, you see all their fans. The energy
and the building is electric. Uh, just everything about it, man, Um.
You know pulling up to the city, the flight there,
(11:48):
you know, the gifts that you get when you get
to the hotel. It's just a lot of things, um
to experience when you make it to the tournament. I
was glad, um I was able to for my four years. Yeah,
all four years. Man. But you're you're talking. You just
mentioned the gifts at the hotel and like flying into
the city all that stuff. That's the stuff that us
normal people don't know because we weren't able to like
(12:08):
play on the teams. What actually is it like being
a part of it, and like what does the n
c A do you do for you guys? Obviously we
got like the bull season for the football teams and
then like this is your bull season going into the tournament.
What happens? What does what does the n c a
A do for you guys? Um? And what's the experience
like when you actually like get to the cities. Yeah,
(12:29):
you know, just you know, took a charter to flight
in and then uh you know to take a bus
to the hotel and then we get to hotel. You know,
just well before you get to the hotel, just riding
into the city, you know usually see like you know,
fans from you know, wherever they're whatever school they're from,
and you know they're they're wrapping their colors and everything
like that. So your energy starts to pick up, and
(12:50):
you know, once you get in the hotel, you know,
you check in and go to your rooms and you know,
I think you get like a little gift bag or
something like that, and um, any good, welcome to h
It's different stuff this wagon, stuff like T shirts, water
bottles and stuff like that. I mean, it was more
it was more so like the thought that count. You know,
(13:13):
I'm just saying, like you weren't expected, you know, thousand
dollars cash when you get in there, but you know, watches,
you know, yeah, none of that, you know. It was
just that's what they should be doing. Yeah, I wish man,
now they got the n I L so like they
could do whatever they want now, all right, all right,
(13:33):
they all gotta do some stuff. Now. All that stuff
is cool, man, just the little things that you know,
making to the SA Tournament, all those little things that
you get, it's pretty cool. So obviously you went through
four times. We already talked about that. But the first
time you do it, are there butterflies? Like? What are
the nerves like the first time you actually take the
(13:54):
court to play in that first game? I think your
first one was against Valpo, Is that right? Yeah? Yeah, yeah,
that's right. Yeah, you reminded me. Yeah, I did my research, Denzel. Yeah, yeah, Uh.
It was cool the first one. My first one was
you know, in Detroit, so that was pretty cool. We
got to play at home and um, we had tons
(14:16):
of fans there. My family was there. Um. Yeah, we
played Valpo. Um they're pretty they're pretty decent, and we
play went on to play Memphis in the second second round.
But I was it was a pretty electric weekend with
the fans and you know, practicing the day before, um,
the first game. That's pretty cool. And you know, your
fans get to come see for like an hour and
(14:38):
just pretty much just run through your offense, dunk and
you know, um, just just just embraced the atmosphere for
like an hour and it's pretty cool. So overall, it's
a pretty cool thing. And you know, I love this
time of the year. What's the difference, Like you just
talked about it being in Detroit that first year, it's
right down the road from you guys, all of the
(14:58):
Michigan State fans are right there. They can all come in.
But you also did this in other areas of the
country when you were in different regions during your four years.
What is the difference in the atmosphere for you guys
in particular, like when you're basically a home team versus
basically in away team being in another region. Yeah, it's
definitely different. I remember my sophomore year it was in
(15:21):
Washington Spokane, and you know, you know, it's a blessing
that Michigan State has had a lot of success in
the program. So we we traveled pretty well. Um, but
you know, being a higher seed, you know, we were
always a higher seed besides my junior year, so the
whole arenas against you. Um and then uh so that's
(15:42):
how is that being the enemy for everyone didn't work?
You know? Yeah, when we got upset in the first round,
it was like dang, like everyone was cheering. Yeah, I'm like, damn, okay,
but yeah no, but that makes it fun though, you know,
it's it's it's cool, it's it's uh just it's just
(16:04):
varies you know from arena arena region, the region, so
um and just depending on what seeds you get. So
all all of it is good. Though, all of it
is good. I mean you just mentioned it. So we're
just let's dive right into the senior year experience. I
know it's not like your favorite memory to go back on,
but part of the point of this podcast is to
to hear from you guys about like the highs and
(16:25):
the lows, and obviously that was that was a low
for you guys. Your senior year two thousand sixteen, I
think you're number number two seed taking out number five.
We got robbed. We got robbed to I just watched that.
It was number two in the nation and we won
the Big Ten Tournament and you don't get a number
one seed. Oh, that doesn't make I don't know how
(16:45):
that happens. So we were twenty seven and five, we
had a twenty seven I'm sorry, it's twenty nine and
five by the time. We wanted Big Ten tournament and
we don't get a one seed. Yeah, that that doesn't
add up. Who do you think that would have been
a one seed over do you remember? Um, well, I
think Kansas supposed to one seed. Uh, they don't know
(17:07):
what I think. And that Oregon was the last one. Yeah,
it was the west the West coast, so obviously you
know they want that market. Um with us, our Sweet
six team was supposed to be in Chicago, and that's
baciically in our backyard. So I mean, I'm making excuses
because if it worked out, if we went to the
(17:29):
sweet six, team would have a packed house in our
favorite But um, yeah, man, it's just it just saw.
The n c A tournament is just funky. Man. You
can't just going and think you're gonna win or um,
because anything could happened. We see it every year. It's
not just like you know every five or six, like
it happens every year. There are upsets. We've already seen
(17:51):
plenty of them during this tournament every year. Every year.
You know, you just gotta come, prepare to play. And
then sometimes like my senior when we lost, you know
that would just happen to be a bad game from us,
and they had a good game plan. You got the cat,
you know, and they played well and we had one
of our wars games. You know, it sucks that it
(18:11):
was in and see a tournament time. But like you,
like I said, you got tip your cat. So let's
dive into the game a little bit. What do you
remember I'll set it up again. You guys are the
two seed Middle Tennessee fifteen seed. Not many people here
about this program at all. Everyone knows about your program.
What do you remember going into that game? I think
(18:32):
I read that before the game, like in the days
leading up, you had said something about like these are
the games to be nervous about, like that first game
because there's nerves from everybody. Um, what do you remember
going into it? So, yeah, the first game is always
nerve racking, you know. Um, but I just remember going
(18:55):
into the arena. Uh, I'm sorry. Prior after the selection show,
during that whole week, everybody from Michigan State on on
campus was saying, hey, man, we'll see you in Chicago,
and I'm like, oh, wait a minute, Like come on, man,
do that? Come on? We want to say Louis first,
Like this ain't very teed, so we are. We showed
(19:18):
up to St. Louis and I kid you not. That
was probably that was probably the worst time that are
that our fans didn't come to the game, Like it
was probably only just a little section of Michigan State fans.
And usually, like any tournament, no matter where it is
in the country, we have fans there because they thought
it was a shoeing Yeah you know what I'm saying.
(19:40):
It's just like so I'm like, all right, that gave
me a funny feeling, and I'm like, okay, so we
have a little section of fans the whole and we
start off the game. They put on this one three
one zone that we haven't seen it all year, and
you know, we were turning over it was it was
and then they were they were high. Did you see
it on film going into that game? It was? It was, Yeah,
(20:04):
But like the film don't do a justice the way
they were. Maybe when you're seeing the defense that you
literally haven't seen all year. I mean that's why Syracuse
does well in the tournament oftentimes when they get in.
They didn't get in this year, but people just don't
see that type of zone very often. Yeah. Yeah, and um,
they threw that zone on us, and the whole gym
(20:25):
was against us. They were hot, and you know, they
started off high and then we got going a little
bit late, but it was it was too late in
the game. And and then next thing, you know, you
know that that was the game of their life. You
know that when they want it. They were celebrating, crying, sharing,
you know, getting the towels. You know, I'm like, hey,
it was a championship game for them, So like I said,
(20:46):
you know, they played better than us. You got to
be cap. They probably have a reunion every year just
to celebrate that one win. But it was at one
go ahead and then they get blown out by Syracuse
by I'm telling you of the zone. The zone. I'm
from Syrius, the Syracuse area. That's why I mentioned in them.
But that zone throws teams off. Man when you haven't
(21:07):
seen it in a while, but you're game. It was
a one point game with I think three thirty four
left on the clock. What do you remember happened during
those final minutes? Like as the two seed facing the
fifteen seed and you're in a one point game with
three and a half, I gotta guess things like tighten up.
You get a little anxiety going down the stretch for
that type of situation. Yeah, I mean, like I said,
(21:31):
you know, we just didn't have to have a good
game that game. I don't know exactly what happened, you know, Um,
but um, they had more momentum than us. They were
playing better than us. So like I said, I don't
know what happened, but um, you know they played better
than this. So it is what it is. But I yes, sir,
(21:51):
we're gonna talk about that too. Let's not talk about no. No,
we're we're gonna get there. We're gonna get there. Uh.
One one more thing about these low seeds. And when
I say low seed, I mean like the thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen sixteen. We've seen a sixteen seed upset on one now, right,
and we've seen the fifteen fourteen three that we see
it every year. But to me, it just looks like
(22:14):
these teams come in and they're like, we got nothing
to lose, Like they got no pressure. So if they're
in a close game with five minutes left, it's like
they don't feel any of that pressure, right, But like
that one, two or three seed, they're really feeling it.
Could you did you kind of get that vibe going
through that situation playing against that team that they were
just like, we're just happy to be here and if
(22:35):
we happen to win, awesome. If we don't, you know,
that's it's not a big deal because we weren't expected to. Yeah,
they're playing so loose and so free and you know,
care free, and you know we're kind of tightened, you know,
a little anxious and nervous, and next thing, you know,
it's a totally different game, you know. Um, but yeah,
like you said, those teams they come in and they
(22:56):
don't feel that pressure. And then you know, everybody chairs
for the underdog in the whole arena, you know, so
you know, you may have your fans there, but that's
only of the gym. Then seventy of the gym is
a chair for the underdog. So it's like in the
way game for real, So you know, yeah, you know,
(23:16):
if if the things an't on your side, you know
they're going the wrong way. So last one on this game.
But after after an upset like that happens, like, what
does it feel like? Let me take me into that moment,
especially as a senior, like you guys were just coming
off of Final four, What did that feel like when
that final horn sounded for that game. I wasn't shock.
(23:38):
I wasn't I don't even think I might not even
cry until like later that night or maybe a day
later or something like that. But I literally was in shock.
Like I was like, I was like, damn, my career
is over, like and we just lost. Usually i'veset about
fifteen seed in the first round, and I had I
(23:59):
swear I could have I could have sworn a stack
of Bible as I was gonna win win a national
every ship day. You like, you know what I'm saying.
It was just like it was just it's just a
weird feeling. You're like, damn, Like we just lost and
then everybody had us projected to win it, and you know,
in our minds, we're our goal the whole year was Natty, Natty, Natty.
(24:19):
We talked about it from day one. No, as soon
as we lost the final four, it that's what we
priest about at that moment. So to realize the reality
that that's not gonna happen and that that my career
was over, it was just like it was really disappointing
and uh a little frustrating because you couldn't do nothing
about it. So yeah, yeah, I mean he can't change
(24:41):
the past, right, But for you, I mean you were
going into I mean, next step is prepping for the draft.
How long did it take for you to like let
that settle in process it and then turn the page
and start getting ready for the draft? Um? Probably like
a week like um that next week, Uh, this the
(25:04):
Sweet six team in the lead A I think was
that next week and just watching watching those games. It
was like maybe my stomach hurt, you know what I'm saying.
It was just hard. And then that finaling weekend was
the Final four and everything. I went down there, um
for a three point competition and uh I was down
there for the Final four and everything. So it kind
(25:24):
of took my mind off everything. But man, it took
a good week or so. Alright, so now let's go
back to the good the prior year final four appearance.
Um it's really interesting in your four years there, the
first three, you guys got better and better in the
tournament each year, I think your freshman year, sweet sixteen,
sophomore year, Elite eight, junior year, you get to the
(25:47):
final four. What's it like making that run? I mean,
like the momentum that builds within the team as you
win each game. What's that like? It was crazy, um man,
especially my junior year and made it to the final
four because we were seven seed. You know, we had
a good year. It wasn't it wasn't an average and
it wasn't great. It was just good. We made it
(26:08):
to the to the Big Ten championship game almost be
Wisconsin in Chicago, and they were, you know, the best
team pretty much in the country all year besides Kentucky.
You know, it was a tow them too, and we
almost beat them, so, um, that gave us confidence moving forward.
So going into the tournament, were like, man, we can
beat anybody if we almost just beat the one of
(26:30):
the best teams in the country. So you know, we
just took that momentum and gave it gave us confidence.
The next thing, you know, we're in the final four,
you know, playing Duke and they were just a better
team than us, you know. Um, but no, that was
a that was a fun time, man. And and then
we uh beating Louisville and in Syracuse in the leading
and everything. It was definitely a fun time. I've been
(26:52):
to one Final four in Indianapolis. Um was yours in Indie.
That might have been the one that I went to.
Actually I went with my whole family. It's such a
wild experience, Like you're playing in a football stadium and
it's like a hundred thousand people, Like we were sitting
way up you could barely even see you guys down
(27:14):
on the court. Uh, what is that environment? Like? I mean,
we just talked about what it's like getting into the
first game and like getting in the hotel, you get
a little gift bag whatever. Final four is a whole
different story, right, Like that's got to be just a
wild ride getting into town for that game. Man, crazy,
Um going to the final four. You leave like final
(27:36):
four is what I think Saturday. Yeah, So we left
on like a Tuesday or Wednesday, and it was like
it was like a week long thing. Like I thought
it was gonna be the same as NCA tournament. You
show up the day before, I have the open practice
and then you know, playing, but it was like banquet
and you had then you had with all four teams
(27:59):
there they they introduce you, you know, give you, give
you plaques or a little certifications thingies. Then the next
day it was like it was like a big thing
with all the teams and the fans and families and
and then uh, you know in the hotel, we had
like this room with like video games, ping pong, table,
barber um. It was just we're talking, this is way
(28:21):
better than the first round. Yeah yeah, it's basically it's yeah,
just like next level with how they take care of you.
And then the police escort to the game. You know,
you're skipping through traffic um. Oh the media day before
it was like two hours. Yeah, you know when they
introduce everybody and you know, you get to go through
(28:43):
media and um, you know you met you. You know,
you're meeting Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith and Shock and
all those guys and and uh, then you walk into
the arena and I mean to the stadium, and then
it's you know, you see every correction there too, because
it is different. Like when you walk in there, the
court looks tiny. It's so small in the middle of
a football stadium. And it takes some minutes to get
(29:06):
used to it too, because the death reception and everything
like that, because the seats are not like I mean,
for anyone if you can picture it in your minds,
like in a in a basketball arena, the seats are
like right behind the basket. In a football stadium, it's
like flat seating right behind the basket. So it's just
it's a total different I don't know how you guys
do it. Yeah, all you see is like space. Yeah,
(29:29):
so yeah, it's definitely different. Um. It was a hell
of an experience, man. Uh and uh, I had a
lot of fun before I let you out here. I
want to talk to you about two coaches. One your
coach at Michigan State, the legendary Tom Izzo. Um, whenever
I'm going through my brackets, I always lean into Tom
Iszo because it's like you always got his teams prepared.
(29:51):
Your your guys had one one tough year your senior year,
but like it just feels like the team is always ready.
What's it like being around Tom is though and being
on a team around time as oo that's prepping for
the n c A tournament and the final four? Um intense. Um. Yeah,
(30:12):
that man, he prepared, prepares, prepares, like you know, we're
going through every every team that I mean, every play,
the out of the team runs, um, you know, and
practice every shot matters. And uh, just the way we
watch film. Um, just the way he you know, conducts himself,
(30:34):
and just everything about him. It's just just to another
level when the tournament starts, and you can tell you
know why he's great for a reason, you know, because
he just zones in, homes in, and and he expects
expects greatness out of each and everyone of his players.
And that's what you need to succeed because at that level,
(30:54):
when you're on the big stage, it's pressure on every shot.
It's pressure on every possession, Like every possession matters, every
shot matters. So it's like he puts that pressure on
you in practice, you know, so you can handle it
in the game. And that's why he's had some much
success in the past. How does he put that pressure
on you in practice? Is it just like saying like
do it again, or like like what is it? How
(31:17):
does he do that? Yeah? He just demands like yeah,
if if, if it's not working or or you know,
if you're you know, having off there or whatever whatever
it may be. He's just holding you accountable, whatever way
that may be, you know, taking you to the side,
yelling at you, whatever, whatever it takes. You know, he
knows each one of his players and not to push them,
(31:38):
so um, you know, you know, some people can handle
it and some people can and and um the people
that can usually you know, go on to do good things.
So I think he's a I think he's a great
coach for a reason. There's been a lot of greater
I mean, for anyone who doesn't know, fourteen sweet sixteens
in eight trips to the final four, it's like, why,
(32:00):
how great that guy is? Getting teams to advance and
play well in the tournament. The other coach that I
want to talk to you about, UM, just so happens
to be your brother, Drew Valentine. Right. He's the head
coach at Loyal the Chicago and obviously things didn't go
the way that he and you and everyone supporting that
program wanted UM in the tournament this year. But I
(32:21):
think I think I read that he's he was the
youngest coach in the tournament. UM. I'm sure a ton
of success coming his way here in the in the
short order. But what what was it like to see
your brother UM coaching in the tournament and what's next
for him in terms of what that program is going
to accomplish in the future. Um, he definitely, Uh, he
(32:42):
definitely got a good start, you know, you know, coaching
under coaches though on being there when I was there,
and then I learned on the quarter Moser. Um, those
are two great coaches, UM to learn from. And then
he's kind of twisted into his own unique way. UM.
Uh he works hard. Is it's funny watching him coach
because he's such a natural. Um, he's such a natural
(33:05):
at it's crazy. And then my dad and you know,
my dad coaches in high school. And it's crazy because
he used to always like talk about my dad and
how he coaches and everything. And he is the same,
or might be a little bit worse first like that
all over the place, you know what I'm saying. But
(33:27):
but he knows what he's doing. Man, he gets the
best out of his guys. Um, they all loved playing
for him. Um, he's a very positive coach, very like
he's very knowledgeable my dad, you know, as a coach.
UM learned a lot from him. Coaches the port of Mojer. Um,
He's learned a lot from great people. He's a he's
a student in the game he played, so he has
(33:47):
a lot of he has a good basketball background. And Um,
he's he's been a leader since date one. You know,
since I was since I was born. You know, I've
been looking up to him and watched him lead, you know.
So he's a natural born leader. He has charisma and
you know, he definitely works hard and he's very passionate.
So he's gonna have a great coaching career and and
(34:09):
do whatever he needs to do. Great things coming, I'm sure.
One last question for you before I get you out
of here one Shining moment. Everyone loves it as a
player who's gone through it. When when the video is
about to come out after the championship game, are you
like waiting and watching to see if you get into
the one Shining Moment video? Yeah, for sure, definitely, just
(34:31):
like you're just like sitting at the broadcast, like watch
I I just picture a lot of players being like,
oh is my moment going to be in there? Yeah? No,
definitely just watch him. And uh, it's just man, I
just love march Man. Who if if if you if
you love basketball, and this is just the best time
the teams, the teams that from the from college basketball,
(34:52):
just competing just to try to for one common goal
and and it's like may the best man win. So
it's the best time of the year and I love it.
So I'm gluting into my TV and and una, I'll
be tuned in to see who is this year? All right, Well,
it's gonna be a lot of fun to watch. We
appreciate you coming on giving us the insight of like
being a member of the tournament from start to finish,
(35:14):
being able to get to the final four. And then
obviously unfortunately you had that one one perspective of being
knocked out early, but it's great perspective to be able
to talk about. UM. I really appreciate you coming on.
Thanks for having me, man appreciate it. Thank you for
listening to view from the Raptors Behind the Scenes with
the Boston Celtics, presented by Cardless
Welcome everyone. This is View from the Rafters. It is
my absolute pleasure to welcome in one of the pillars
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green baby. Welcome to View from the Rafters behind the
(00:25):
scenes with the Buston Celtics, presented by Cardless. Here's your host,
Mark Demiko. Ladies and gentlemen, it is officially turning time.
We are a week into the college tournament and as
is every year, we've had upsets, we've had Cinderella's, we've
got some of the top powerhouses in the nation moving on,
and since it's that time of the year again, we
(00:46):
wanted to dive in with some of the Celtics players
on what it's like to be a part of the
n c a A tournament and some of their top
memories from their runs. And listen, not all of those
memories are good ones, by the way. We wanted to
not only talk about the highs of making a run
to the Final four, but also about the loads of
maybe being on the wrong end of some of these
memorable upsets. So let's jump right into the conversation. First up,
(01:10):
we've got Peyton Pritchard on to talk about his run
to the Final four as a freshman back in two
thousand seventeen at Oregon. Enjoyed the conversation. Alright, Payton, it's
tournament time. Everyone's favorite time of the year in March
madness and whatnot. How closely have you followed the tournament
in the two years since you graduated and came into
the NBA. I probably followed it more last year since
(01:30):
Oregon was in it, but um, you know, when it's on,
everybody watches. I mean it's a good time of the year.
Uh So, you know, I like to get in the action.
So I gotta ask you about your senior year because
you played in two tournaments, but your senior year obviously
got canceled. How tough was that for you and you
guys were trying to make a run top fifteen team
in the country. Yeah, no, I think we've probably had
(01:51):
a good chance of winning. And the year we were
you know, we were loaded and we were clicking at
the right time. Um, you know, but everybody got disappointed
that year. So from me, it was like I was
transitioning into getting ready for the league at that time,
so I kind of took my focus from that too,
getting ready. So but I mean looking back, and it
was disappointed because it probably could have made some happen.
(02:11):
So let's rewind and focus on freshman year. Freshman year,
this guy makes a run to the final four and
not only were you playing as a freshman, you were
playing huge minutes as a freshman, playing a key role.
What do you remember about that run to the final
four during your freshman year at Oregon? Oh, man, that
was spectacularly. I mean, we had so many good players.
We had like five of us end up going pro,
I mean four at the same time, but then later
(02:33):
but um, it just you know special. Um we end
up losing the NORTHCAA final four though off of like
not we're going into it not rebounding off of free though.
But um, yeah, no, it was special. I mean just
those moments that you you do with your teammates and
just the feeling of it. It's crazy, all right. So
(02:54):
we're gonna get into what you just talked about there
at the end of this conversation, But let's go through
kind of your run to the final four. First game, Iona,
that's who you guys played is I think you're got
three seed that year and you scored eighteen points in
your first n c A tournament game. What do you
remember about that game and kind of your first experience
of the attorney Uh. I remember us beating them pretty
(03:16):
good and everybody feeling good. So I think that was
That's all you can really say about that one. We
just we handled our business and then we played h
Rhode Island, which ended up giving us fits and we
almost lost actually so and I think scored sixth straight
at the end of the game, right yeah. I think
every team needs to go through like one tough game
every march. Man, I sware that you kind of get lucky,
(03:37):
like we got lucky a little bit, so so how
it goes. That's what I was going to ask you about,
like that Rhode Island game, And just to get into
a little bit more, I think Tyler Dorsey made two
three pointers in the final like minute or something like
that for you guys to win it by three, and
that was one of three of your five games. I
think came down to like one possession games that when
you guys pulled out after that game, is that like
(03:58):
when the momentum starts to build old within the locker
room and you feel something brewing. Yeah, um, I think
we were almost just like have we you know, we
moved on. We were like that would have been like
an upset, so we knew we should have took care
of them, but you know, it's a lot closer we wanted.
And then I think another one point against Michigan that
was real tight. Uh, they took us right down to
(04:19):
the wire. And then Kansas we handled pretty good. I
think you beat him by like fifteen or something. Yeah,
we did. That was crazy because it was like filled
with just Kansas fans and we you know, we good. Yeah,
we went in there and took care of them. So
you get to the final four. Um. I talked to
Denzel Valentine about what the Final four experiences. What is
We're going to hear about that later in the episode,
(04:40):
but you're what you remember and like what that experience
is like to actually be a part of that, because
it's like a big time as opposed to like just
that first second round, etcetera. Well, I think there's nothing
like it in sports. I mean, you're playing in a
football stadium. You know, it's like there's no other basketball
venue like the Final Four. So to play in the
middle of football stadium with that many fans, it's it's
(05:03):
definitely a special special moment for you know, people to
live is crazy. How long did it take you to
adjust to play in in I mean, like how many
practices and whatnot? Because we only practice perception, right, is
that is what changed? We only practice it like once
maybe twice. That's one time in two times. Yeah, oh
my god. It was crazy. But honestly, I hit my
(05:23):
first two shots on the games and so you didn't
even care. Yeah I was. I was good to go
after that. So let's talk about that Final Four game
against you and see, um, what do you remember from
the first half and like that, the first thirty minutes
or so of the game, they were beating us pretty good.
I think we came back for what I remember, and
then um it was back and fourth game, I remember
(05:44):
them being extremely big and rebounding all over narrow one seed.
Just so everyone knows, you guys are three, they were one.
So I went down to wire and then we end up.
They were shooting free throws and I think they missed
two one on ones in a row, and they got
the rebound on both of them. So then you know,
obviously if we would have got the rebound, who knows,
you know, it's smart, so some special could have happened.
(06:05):
And so I went back and watched that back as
I was preparing to have this conversation with you. It
like hurts me inside to watch it because you guys
were down by one. You you follow and send. I
think it was Meeks went to the free throw line
for his first two first two free throws with like
five point four seconds left, So even if he makes
them both, you guys are gonna have a chance to
potentially take one of those March Madness threes. Tied up
(06:27):
sent it to overtime. He misses the first front room.
This is the second front rim, and you're actually right
there when he comes in when one of the U
n C guys comes in and kind of does a
tap out rebound, what's going through your head? And like,
how's that feeling in that moment when they tapped that
out and you had a chance. It was tough. I mean,
(06:48):
I think it was me and Jordans on the block together.
Um uh, you know, he made a good play and
then a day it's like, you know, maybe we could
have done it differently, but you know, he made a
play help us team win and it was end of that.
But but you gets still had another shot, like you
follow them again with four seconds left in exact same situation.
We did send him to the line. They missed both
(07:11):
and they got the rebound again. Like that had t
s things so bad? And it was it was terrible. Yeah,
it was bad. It wasn't good. But what was what
was like the locker room? Like after that, I used
to take us in that inside that experience. You're making
this incredible run to the final four, and then it's
all I don't know if you could really say much
after that. I mean, you know, obviously guys are upset.
(07:32):
Everybody's hard on themselves. So as a coach and you know,
being a teammate and stuff, it's like you kind of
have to move on quickly and just acknowledge that run
we went on and just like it was a great season.
You know, not many people can make instead the final four,
even though we probably should have moved on and been
in championship or something like that. But for us, it
was just unbelievable memories that will remember forever. What's your
(07:54):
top memory of like that that whole year? Honestly, we
played U C. L A and I think they were
number one at the time or something like that, and
we Dylan Brooks hit a game winner. Um, like it's cold, uh,
and then you know, we stared the court, which was
just it was crazy. It's awesome. Yeah, um U n
C As I said, the one seed, they beat you
(08:15):
by one point, then they go into the championship game
and they wind up winning. Does that I'm just curious
from from our outsider perspectives, does that make you feel
better or does that make you feel worse that the
team you lost to went on? I mean, I think
it's you know, I guess both times I've been in
the tournament, I've lost the championship team, So I think
that's better. That's good. Yeah. So like my junior see
(08:37):
sixth team, we lost to Virginia, so they end up winning,
but we took both of the championship teams to the
wire and had a chance to beat him. So that's
all you can ask for young kids. Who are listening
to this who want to go and play college basketball, Like,
what would you tell them about? Just like how awesome
the experiences to like to get into the tournament, even
(08:58):
if it's one of those low seeds, like a six
teams I think, I think, h it doesn't matter what
seed you are. Um, everybody got a chance to win.
I mean we've seen six teams speed one now, so
I think for anybody, just get a chance to go
there and and compete for a championship of unreal, it's nothing,
nothing is like it. Everybody's gonna be watching, so you
know it's your one shining moment. What do you think
(09:19):
about this St. Peter's team getting to this? I always
root for an underdog. So but that's one of the
tough things about when when college players are playing, Like
if you're a one, two, three seed, you're fighting against
the entire crowd rooting for that underdog. If it's a
close game down the line, what do you remember in
terms of like what the crowd was like as that
(09:40):
was going on. Uh, well there was a lot of
Oregon fans, so okay, yeah, so there wasn't many Rhode
Island fans. So I think I got a different view,
but um, I mean, obviously people are rooting for rounderdogs
and at the time we were we weren't worried about
none of that. But well, hey, that's part of March madness, right,
Everyone loves to see those low seeds move on. Wish
you could have won a title, but making it to
(10:01):
a final four, Ye're always gonna have those memories. So congrats,
thank you. Think we're gonna hear from Denzel Valentine coming
up next about his run to the final four and
unfortunately he lost to a fifteen seed in the first
so we hear them him on that, right, appreciate. The
time of today's episode is presented by the Boston Celtics
credit card powered by Cardless. You'll be eligible to earn
(10:22):
a special sign up bonus when you apply and are
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Forward slash Celtics for more information. That's Cardless dot com
(10:46):
Forward slash Celtics. Alright, we got Denzel Valentine on loan
to us from the main Celtics. We appreciate you coming on. Man.
How how are how are things hanging right now? Man?
Things are good. Man. I think I planned on planning,
so I'm excited to get back. All right. So everyone
knows it's that time of the year, all of our
favorite time of the year. We all grow up watching
(11:07):
March Madness, the n c A tournament. Crazy stuff happens
at this time of the year. You went through it
four times as a college player at Michigan State. What
is the experience, Like, I mean, as you watch it
every year growing up as a basketball guy, you know
it and then finally like you're a part of it.
What does it actually like to be in it? It's
(11:28):
a great feeling, um, you know going in the arena,
you know with all those fans getting ready, you know,
you know a schools or whatever, how many schools it
is in there, you see all their fans. The energy
and the building is electric. Uh, just everything about it, man, Um.
You know pulling up to the city, the flight there,
(11:48):
you know, the gifts that you get when you get
to the hotel. It's just a lot of things, um
to experience when you make it to the tournament. I
was glad, um I was able to for my four years. Yeah,
all four years. Man. But you're you're talking. You just
mentioned the gifts at the hotel and like flying into
the city all that stuff. That's the stuff that us
normal people don't know because we weren't able to like
(12:08):
play on the teams. What actually is it like being
a part of it, and like what does the n
c A do you do for you guys? Obviously we
got like the bull season for the football teams and
then like this is your bull season going into the tournament.
What happens? What does what does the n c a
A do for you guys? Um? And what's the experience
like when you actually like get to the cities. Yeah,
(12:29):
you know, just you know, took a charter to flight
in and then uh you know to take a bus
to the hotel and then we get to hotel. You know,
just well before you get to the hotel, just riding
into the city, you know usually see like you know,
fans from you know, wherever they're whatever school they're from,
and you know they're they're wrapping their colors and everything
like that. So your energy starts to pick up, and
(12:50):
you know, once you get in the hotel, you know,
you check in and go to your rooms and you know,
I think you get like a little gift bag or
something like that, and um, any good, welcome to h
It's different stuff this wagon, stuff like T shirts, water
bottles and stuff like that. I mean, it was more
it was more so like the thought that count. You know,
(13:13):
I'm just saying, like you weren't expected, you know, thousand
dollars cash when you get in there, but you know, watches,
you know, yeah, none of that, you know. It was
just that's what they should be doing. Yeah, I wish man,
now they got the n I L so like they
could do whatever they want now, all right, all right,
(13:33):
they all gotta do some stuff. Now. All that stuff
is cool, man, just the little things that you know,
making to the SA Tournament, all those little things that
you get, it's pretty cool. So obviously you went through
four times. We already talked about that. But the first
time you do it, are there butterflies? Like? What are
the nerves like the first time you actually take the
(13:54):
court to play in that first game? I think your
first one was against Valpo, Is that right? Yeah? Yeah, yeah,
that's right. Yeah, you reminded me. Yeah, I did my research, Denzel. Yeah, yeah, Uh.
It was cool the first one. My first one was
you know, in Detroit, so that was pretty cool. We
got to play at home and um, we had tons
(14:16):
of fans there. My family was there. Um. Yeah, we
played Valpo. Um they're pretty they're pretty decent, and we
play went on to play Memphis in the second second round.
But I was it was a pretty electric weekend with
the fans and you know, practicing the day before, um,
the first game. That's pretty cool. And you know, your
fans get to come see for like an hour and
(14:38):
just pretty much just run through your offense, dunk and
you know, um, just just just embraced the atmosphere for
like an hour and it's pretty cool. So overall, it's
a pretty cool thing. And you know, I love this
time of the year. What's the difference, Like you just
talked about it being in Detroit that first year, it's
right down the road from you guys, all of the
(14:58):
Michigan State fans are right there. They can all come in.
But you also did this in other areas of the
country when you were in different regions during your four years.
What is the difference in the atmosphere for you guys
in particular, like when you're basically a home team versus
basically in away team being in another region. Yeah, it's
definitely different. I remember my sophomore year it was in
(15:21):
Washington Spokane, and you know, you know, it's a blessing
that Michigan State has had a lot of success in
the program. So we we traveled pretty well. Um, but
you know, being a higher seed, you know, we were
always a higher seed besides my junior year, so the
whole arenas against you. Um and then uh so that's
(15:42):
how is that being the enemy for everyone didn't work?
You know? Yeah, when we got upset in the first round,
it was like dang, like everyone was cheering. Yeah, I'm like, damn, okay,
but yeah no, but that makes it fun though, you know,
it's it's it's cool, it's it's uh just it's just
(16:04):
varies you know from arena arena region, the region, so
um and just depending on what seeds you get. So
all all of it is good. Though, all of it
is good. I mean you just mentioned it. So we're
just let's dive right into the senior year experience. I
know it's not like your favorite memory to go back on,
but part of the point of this podcast is to
to hear from you guys about like the highs and
(16:25):
the lows, and obviously that was that was a low
for you guys. Your senior year two thousand sixteen, I
think you're number number two seed taking out number five.
We got robbed. We got robbed to I just watched that.
It was number two in the nation and we won
the Big Ten Tournament and you don't get a number
one seed. Oh, that doesn't make I don't know how
(16:45):
that happens. So we were twenty seven and five, we
had a twenty seven I'm sorry, it's twenty nine and
five by the time. We wanted Big Ten tournament and
we don't get a one seed. Yeah, that that doesn't
add up. Who do you think that would have been
a one seed over do you remember? Um, well, I
think Kansas supposed to one seed. Uh, they don't know
(17:07):
what I think. And that Oregon was the last one. Yeah,
it was the west the West coast, so obviously you
know they want that market. Um with us, our Sweet
six team was supposed to be in Chicago, and that's
baciically in our backyard. So I mean, I'm making excuses
because if it worked out, if we went to the
(17:29):
sweet six, team would have a packed house in our
favorite But um, yeah, man, it's just it just saw.
The n c A tournament is just funky. Man. You
can't just going and think you're gonna win or um,
because anything could happened. We see it every year. It's
not just like you know every five or six, like
it happens every year. There are upsets. We've already seen
(17:51):
plenty of them during this tournament every year. Every year.
You know, you just gotta come, prepare to play. And
then sometimes like my senior when we lost, you know
that would just happen to be a bad game from us,
and they had a good game plan. You got the cat,
you know, and they played well and we had one
of our wars games. You know, it sucks that it
(18:11):
was in and see a tournament time. But like you,
like I said, you got tip your cat. So let's
dive into the game a little bit. What do you
remember I'll set it up again. You guys are the
two seed Middle Tennessee fifteen seed. Not many people here
about this program at all. Everyone knows about your program.
What do you remember going into that game? I think
(18:32):
I read that before the game, like in the days
leading up, you had said something about like these are
the games to be nervous about, like that first game
because there's nerves from everybody. Um, what do you remember
going into it? So, yeah, the first game is always
nerve racking, you know. Um, but I just remember going
(18:55):
into the arena. Uh, I'm sorry. Prior after the selection show,
during that whole week, everybody from Michigan State on on
campus was saying, hey, man, we'll see you in Chicago,
and I'm like, oh, wait a minute, Like come on, man,
do that? Come on? We want to say Louis first,
Like this ain't very teed, so we are. We showed
(19:18):
up to St. Louis and I kid you not. That
was probably that was probably the worst time that are
that our fans didn't come to the game, Like it
was probably only just a little section of Michigan State fans.
And usually, like any tournament, no matter where it is
in the country, we have fans there because they thought
it was a shoeing Yeah you know what I'm saying.
(19:40):
It's just like so I'm like, all right, that gave
me a funny feeling, and I'm like, okay, so we
have a little section of fans the whole and we
start off the game. They put on this one three
one zone that we haven't seen it all year, and
you know, we were turning over it was it was
and then they were they were high. Did you see
it on film going into that game? It was? It was, Yeah,
(20:04):
But like the film don't do a justice the way
they were. Maybe when you're seeing the defense that you
literally haven't seen all year. I mean that's why Syracuse
does well in the tournament oftentimes when they get in.
They didn't get in this year, but people just don't
see that type of zone very often. Yeah. Yeah, and um,
they threw that zone on us, and the whole gym
(20:25):
was against us. They were hot, and you know, they
started off high and then we got going a little
bit late, but it was it was too late in
the game. And and then next thing, you know, you
know that that was the game of their life. You
know that when they want it. They were celebrating, crying, sharing,
you know, getting the towels. You know, I'm like, hey,
it was a championship game for them, So like I said,
(20:46):
you know, they played better than us. You got to
be cap. They probably have a reunion every year just
to celebrate that one win. But it was at one
go ahead and then they get blown out by Syracuse
by I'm telling you of the zone. The zone. I'm
from Syrius, the Syracuse area. That's why I mentioned in them.
But that zone throws teams off. Man when you haven't
(21:07):
seen it in a while, but you're game. It was
a one point game with I think three thirty four
left on the clock. What do you remember happened during
those final minutes? Like as the two seed facing the
fifteen seed and you're in a one point game with
three and a half, I gotta guess things like tighten up.
You get a little anxiety going down the stretch for
that type of situation. Yeah, I mean, like I said,
(21:31):
you know, we just didn't have to have a good
game that game. I don't know exactly what happened, you know, Um,
but um, they had more momentum than us. They were
playing better than us. So like I said, I don't
know what happened, but um, you know they played better
than this. So it is what it is. But I yes, sir,
(21:51):
we're gonna talk about that too. Let's not talk about no. No,
we're we're gonna get there. We're gonna get there. Uh.
One one more thing about these low seeds. And when
I say low seed, I mean like the thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen sixteen. We've seen a sixteen seed upset on one now, right,
and we've seen the fifteen fourteen three that we see
it every year. But to me, it just looks like
(22:14):
these teams come in and they're like, we got nothing
to lose, Like they got no pressure. So if they're
in a close game with five minutes left, it's like
they don't feel any of that pressure, right, But like
that one, two or three seed, they're really feeling it.
Could you did you kind of get that vibe going
through that situation playing against that team that they were
just like, we're just happy to be here and if
(22:35):
we happen to win, awesome. If we don't, you know,
that's it's not a big deal because we weren't expected to. Yeah,
they're playing so loose and so free and you know,
care free, and you know we're kind of tightened, you know,
a little anxious and nervous, and next thing, you know,
it's a totally different game, you know. Um, but yeah,
like you said, those teams they come in and they
(22:56):
don't feel that pressure. And then you know, everybody chairs
for the underdog in the whole arena, you know, so
you know, you may have your fans there, but that's
only of the gym. Then seventy of the gym is
a chair for the underdog. So it's like in the
way game for real, So you know, yeah, you know,
(23:16):
if if the things an't on your side, you know
they're going the wrong way. So last one on this game.
But after after an upset like that happens, like, what
does it feel like? Let me take me into that moment,
especially as a senior, like you guys were just coming
off of Final four, What did that feel like when
that final horn sounded for that game. I wasn't shock.
(23:38):
I wasn't I don't even think I might not even
cry until like later that night or maybe a day
later or something like that. But I literally was in shock.
Like I was like, I was like, damn, my career
is over, like and we just lost. Usually i'veset about
fifteen seed in the first round, and I had I
(23:59):
swear I could have I could have sworn a stack
of Bible as I was gonna win win a national
every ship day. You like, you know what I'm saying.
It was just like it was just it's just a
weird feeling. You're like, damn, Like we just lost and
then everybody had us projected to win it, and you know,
in our minds, we're our goal the whole year was Natty, Natty, Natty.
(24:19):
We talked about it from day one. No, as soon
as we lost the final four, it that's what we
priest about at that moment. So to realize the reality
that that's not gonna happen and that that my career
was over, it was just like it was really disappointing
and uh a little frustrating because you couldn't do nothing
about it. So yeah, yeah, I mean he can't change
(24:41):
the past, right, But for you, I mean you were
going into I mean, next step is prepping for the draft.
How long did it take for you to like let
that settle in process it and then turn the page
and start getting ready for the draft? Um? Probably like
a week like um that next week, Uh, this the
(25:04):
Sweet six team in the lead A I think was
that next week and just watching watching those games. It
was like maybe my stomach hurt, you know what I'm saying.
It was just hard. And then that finaling weekend was
the Final four and everything. I went down there, um
for a three point competition and uh I was down
there for the Final four and everything. So it kind
(25:24):
of took my mind off everything. But man, it took
a good week or so. Alright, so now let's go
back to the good the prior year final four appearance.
Um it's really interesting in your four years there, the
first three, you guys got better and better in the
tournament each year, I think your freshman year, sweet sixteen,
sophomore year, Elite eight, junior year, you get to the
(25:47):
final four. What's it like making that run? I mean,
like the momentum that builds within the team as you
win each game. What's that like? It was crazy, um man,
especially my junior year and made it to the final
four because we were seven seed. You know, we had
a good year. It wasn't it wasn't an average and
it wasn't great. It was just good. We made it
(26:08):
to the to the Big Ten championship game almost be
Wisconsin in Chicago, and they were, you know, the best
team pretty much in the country all year besides Kentucky.
You know, it was a tow them too, and we
almost beat them, so, um, that gave us confidence moving forward.
So going into the tournament, were like, man, we can
beat anybody if we almost just beat the one of
(26:30):
the best teams in the country. So you know, we
just took that momentum and gave it gave us confidence.
The next thing, you know, we're in the final four,
you know, playing Duke and they were just a better
team than us, you know. Um, but no, that was
a that was a fun time, man. And and then
we uh beating Louisville and in Syracuse in the leading
and everything. It was definitely a fun time. I've been
(26:52):
to one Final four in Indianapolis. Um was yours in Indie.
That might have been the one that I went to.
Actually I went with my whole family. It's such a
wild experience, Like you're playing in a football stadium and
it's like a hundred thousand people, Like we were sitting
way up you could barely even see you guys down
(27:14):
on the court. Uh, what is that environment? Like? I mean,
we just talked about what it's like getting into the
first game and like getting in the hotel, you get
a little gift bag whatever. Final four is a whole
different story, right, Like that's got to be just a
wild ride getting into town for that game. Man, crazy,
Um going to the final four. You leave like final
(27:36):
four is what I think Saturday. Yeah, So we left
on like a Tuesday or Wednesday, and it was like
it was like a week long thing. Like I thought
it was gonna be the same as NCA tournament. You
show up the day before, I have the open practice
and then you know, playing, but it was like banquet
and you had then you had with all four teams
(27:59):
there they they introduce you, you know, give you, give
you plaques or a little certifications thingies. Then the next
day it was like it was like a big thing
with all the teams and the fans and families and
and then uh, you know in the hotel, we had
like this room with like video games, ping pong, table,
barber um. It was just we're talking, this is way
(28:21):
better than the first round. Yeah yeah, it's basically it's yeah,
just like next level with how they take care of you.
And then the police escort to the game. You know,
you're skipping through traffic um. Oh the media day before
it was like two hours. Yeah, you know when they
introduce everybody and you know, you get to go through
(28:43):
media and um, you know you met you. You know,
you're meeting Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith and Shock and
all those guys and and uh, then you walk into
the arena and I mean to the stadium, and then
it's you know, you see every correction there too, because
it is different. Like when you walk in there, the
court looks tiny. It's so small in the middle of
a football stadium. And it takes some minutes to get
(29:06):
used to it too, because the death reception and everything
like that, because the seats are not like I mean,
for anyone if you can picture it in your minds,
like in a in a basketball arena, the seats are
like right behind the basket. In a football stadium, it's
like flat seating right behind the basket. So it's just
it's a total different I don't know how you guys
do it. Yeah, all you see is like space. Yeah,
(29:29):
so yeah, it's definitely different. Um. It was a hell
of an experience, man. Uh and uh, I had a
lot of fun before I let you out here. I
want to talk to you about two coaches. One your
coach at Michigan State, the legendary Tom Izzo. Um, whenever
I'm going through my brackets, I always lean into Tom
Iszo because it's like you always got his teams prepared.
(29:51):
Your your guys had one one tough year your senior year,
but like it just feels like the team is always ready.
What's it like being around Tom is though and being
on a team around time as oo that's prepping for
the n c A tournament and the final four? Um intense. Um. Yeah,
(30:12):
that man, he prepared, prepares, prepares, like you know, we're
going through every every team that I mean, every play,
the out of the team runs, um, you know, and
practice every shot matters. And uh, just the way we
watch film. Um, just the way he you know, conducts himself,
(30:34):
and just everything about him. It's just just to another
level when the tournament starts, and you can tell you
know why he's great for a reason, you know, because
he just zones in, homes in, and and he expects
expects greatness out of each and everyone of his players.
And that's what you need to succeed because at that level,
(30:54):
when you're on the big stage, it's pressure on every shot.
It's pressure on every possession, Like every possession matters, every
shot matters. So it's like he puts that pressure on
you in practice, you know, so you can handle it
in the game. And that's why he's had some much
success in the past. How does he put that pressure
on you in practice? Is it just like saying like
do it again, or like like what is it? How
(31:17):
does he do that? Yeah? He just demands like yeah,
if if, if it's not working or or you know,
if you're you know, having off there or whatever whatever
it may be. He's just holding you accountable, whatever way
that may be, you know, taking you to the side,
yelling at you, whatever, whatever it takes. You know, he
knows each one of his players and not to push them,
(31:38):
so um, you know, you know, some people can handle
it and some people can and and um the people
that can usually you know, go on to do good things.
So I think he's a I think he's a great
coach for a reason. There's been a lot of greater
I mean, for anyone who doesn't know, fourteen sweet sixteens
in eight trips to the final four, it's like, why,
(32:00):
how great that guy is? Getting teams to advance and
play well in the tournament. The other coach that I
want to talk to you about, UM, just so happens
to be your brother, Drew Valentine. Right. He's the head
coach at Loyal the Chicago and obviously things didn't go
the way that he and you and everyone supporting that
program wanted UM in the tournament this year. But I
(32:21):
think I think I read that he's he was the
youngest coach in the tournament. UM. I'm sure a ton
of success coming his way here in the in the
short order. But what what was it like to see
your brother UM coaching in the tournament and what's next
for him in terms of what that program is going
to accomplish in the future. Um, he definitely, Uh, he
(32:42):
definitely got a good start, you know, you know, coaching
under coaches though on being there when I was there,
and then I learned on the quarter Moser. Um, those
are two great coaches, UM to learn from. And then
he's kind of twisted into his own unique way. UM.
Uh he works hard. Is it's funny watching him coach
because he's such a natural. Um, he's such a natural
(33:05):
at it's crazy. And then my dad and you know,
my dad coaches in high school. And it's crazy because
he used to always like talk about my dad and
how he coaches and everything. And he is the same,
or might be a little bit worse first like that
all over the place, you know what I'm saying. But
(33:27):
but he knows what he's doing. Man, he gets the
best out of his guys. Um, they all loved playing
for him. Um, he's a very positive coach, very like
he's very knowledgeable my dad, you know, as a coach.
UM learned a lot from him. Coaches the port of Mojer. Um,
He's learned a lot from great people. He's a he's
a student in the game he played, so he has
(33:47):
a lot of he has a good basketball background. And Um,
he's he's been a leader since date one. You know,
since I was since I was born. You know, I've
been looking up to him and watched him lead, you know.
So he's a natural born leader. He has charisma and
you know, he definitely works hard and he's very passionate.
So he's gonna have a great coaching career and and
(34:09):
do whatever he needs to do. Great things coming, I'm sure.
One last question for you before I get you out
of here one Shining moment. Everyone loves it as a
player who's gone through it. When when the video is
about to come out after the championship game, are you
like waiting and watching to see if you get into
the one Shining Moment video? Yeah, for sure, definitely, just
(34:31):
like you're just like sitting at the broadcast, like watch
I I just picture a lot of players being like,
oh is my moment going to be in there? Yeah? No,
definitely just watch him. And uh, it's just man, I
just love march Man. Who if if if you if
you love basketball, and this is just the best time
the teams, the teams that from the from college basketball,
(34:52):
just competing just to try to for one common goal
and and it's like may the best man win. So
it's the best time of the year and I love it.
So I'm gluting into my TV and and una, I'll
be tuned in to see who is this year? All right, Well,
it's gonna be a lot of fun to watch. We
appreciate you coming on giving us the insight of like
being a member of the tournament from start to finish,
(35:14):
being able to get to the final four. And then
obviously unfortunately you had that one one perspective of being
knocked out early, but it's great perspective to be able
to talk about. UM. I really appreciate you coming on.
Thanks for having me, man appreciate it. Thank you for
listening to view from the Raptors Behind the Scenes with
the Boston Celtics, presented by Cardless
Host
Marc D'Amico
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