March 22, 2025 • 27 mins
Starters and Coach Hurley meet the media ahead of Sunday's Game with Florida
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
All right, good afternoon. We're now ready to start the
Yukon Student Athlete Press Conference. I'd like to remind you
one more time please make sure your phones are on mute,
and at this time we'll go ahead and open up
the floor for questions. Please raise your hand and we'll
get your microphone. All right, let's start in the back.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
David Hill with ESPN guys.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Last night after the game, Coach Reli said that if
it wasn't quote for his I think antics and viral moments,
you guys would be getting more appreciation and attention for
the run that this program has been on over the
last few years. I'm curious any of you can answer
this obviously, what do you make of that? And do
you wish there was more attention on what you guys
have done or do you kind of like it that
(00:50):
a lot of us tend to focus on coach instead?
Speaker 4 (00:53):
So could you answer that question.
Speaker 5 (00:56):
I mean, at the last couple of years, the run
has been amazing and we've all enjoyed it. But we're
still on the run and we still want to continue it.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
All right, let's go over there.
Speaker 6 (01:09):
Jacob sam Callen the Daily Campus has uh, you guys
faced Walter Cleanton Junior two years ago with Iona, just
how has this game evolved since from then until now?
Speaker 5 (01:22):
Yeah, I mean he's playing at an all American level.
You can really shoot the ball, shoot the ball off
the bounce. We just have to, you know, I mean,
follow our game plan and you know, make it tough
for him.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
All right, let's go to the dark the black shirt.
There you go, and then we're behind.
Speaker 7 (01:41):
Hey, Steve Reid from the Associated Press for all of
you guys, Alex in particular, you guys go into tomorrow's
game is almost a double digit underdog, which is not
something that you guys have seen very often over the
last couple of years.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
I just want to.
Speaker 7 (01:59):
Mentally, you know, being that underdog, you know, how does
that feel and is it? Is it less pressure in
some ways?
Speaker 8 (02:06):
I guess, uh, yeah, it's definitely less pressure. But I
felt like we've been the underdog the entire season ever
since we came back from BWI, so we're used to
being the underdogs for a majority of the season and
it's not really a news stage.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
For us this year.
Speaker 8 (02:21):
So I mean, we'll be ready.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
For tomorrow, terrorists. Could you answer that question as well?
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 9 (02:31):
Like you said, we feel like other people feel like
we're going under the dog. Yeah, that's that's cool. But
go out there and play, play hard, play like we
have none to lose. So I feel like that's that's
gonna be the key to the game. Locking up defensively
and on what type of team they are explosive on
the offensive end, So being able to hone in on
our defensive skills and control the glass.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Hasan Is there anything to add?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Oh yeah, we just you know, maybe being an underdog
going into them all. There's nothing new to us. We
just got to be ready, all right.
Speaker 10 (03:06):
Other questions, I'm sorry Jesse Docherty from the Washington Post.
So this is for Alex Farness coaches in here earlier,
saying after he played you kind of a couple of
years ago, he kind of saw a blueprint for what
he might want to build there. Have you noticed, as
you guys have had all the success that maybe teams
have started to play like you?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
And if so, what's that look like?
Speaker 8 (03:25):
I mean, definitely, I think you know, teams have started
to follow our model, our style ways, and that's just
been with teams across the country. You definitely see teams
stealing different actions or defensively as well. So you know,
the coaching stat has done a great job of finding
that and just establishing that for us the last two
years and this year, and you know it's worked, so
(03:47):
other people want to succeed as well.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
All Right, all the way in the back to Ethan, Alex,
you mentioned you felt like an underdog since MAUI. How
much different do you feel like this team is today
if that it was when you got back from that trip.
Speaker 8 (04:01):
It's extremely different. I mean, it's two completely different teams.
We've gone a lot stronger since that trip. We've gone
a lot stronger with injuries that we've had to deal with,
so we're completely different. We've learned a lot, We've learned
how to play play alongside each other better, and the
coaches has has done a really good job of helping
us continue to get to the point that we are
(04:22):
this year. So it's it's been a long journey, but
we've learned a lot and we became stronger from it.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Let's go on the injury.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Hey, Alex, coach talked about, you know, wanting you to
take more shots.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
What's his message personally to you? You know, as you
prepare for this one.
Speaker 8 (04:40):
Yeah, it's the same as it's always been, just he
has so much trust and confidence in who I am
as a players. He does want me to shoot the
ball more, and you know, I definitely do got to
do that at times. So I just got to have
that confidence in myself as well. But everyone in the
locker room believes in me or the coaching staff believes
in me, and you know I got it, especially at
this stage.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Of the tournament.
Speaker 11 (05:03):
Any other questions, Okay, let's go back there, Terras. First off,
did you bring your saxophone on this trip? And also,
you do seem to have like a certain rhythm to
your game. I don't know if it's maybe a forced
I don't know connection, but are there any ways in
which being a musician maybe influences how you play basketball?
Speaker 9 (05:22):
Yeah? Uh no, I did not bring my saxophone on
this trip, but it is with me in stores at
the gym right now. But yeah, I feel like playing
music has helped me so much on the court and
off the court. But like I said, like basketball is
a rhythm. Each each person has their own rhythm, their
own cadence, and once you figured it out, it's easier
to go on on defense, but on offensive side, you
(05:45):
have to know what your cadence is. So for the
longest time, like mine was a little bit like two
finasti cel getting here in the summer. I mean coach
Coach wanted to make an emphasis of me being more physical,
more dominant, more assertive in the post. So I feel
like the balance of both worlds is like a perfect
perfect balance for me.
Speaker 6 (06:06):
Any other questions, All right, this can get for any
three of you playing Oklahoma and SEC team last night,
Just how the Secs had a great seedson all year long.
Do you think being Oklahoma in the way you guys
did in the gritty matchup helps you prepare for tomorrow night?
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Hassan, could you answer that place?
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Yeah, I would say it definitely helped us prepared for
us for tomorrow night. I mean, you know, Oklahoma was
a very good team, very physical team. They played tough,
especially downa shretch, And I think we need to do
the same thing that we did a lot of the
same things that we did in yesterday's game.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
We need to do that tomorrow.
Speaker 12 (06:52):
Dan Mark Cannaziaro from New York Post, I'm just curious
about what you make of the development of Clayton.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
You saw him a few years ago.
Speaker 12 (06:59):
Out and and what what what makes him special?
Speaker 8 (07:03):
Now?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah?
Speaker 13 (07:04):
I mean you you you know, it's funny you look
at the you know, the beginning of our run. You
know he was you know, he shared the court with us,
and you know you could see the you know, the
two way ability. You know, the size, the you know,
(07:25):
the physical strength obviously, the you know, the shooting is
highest level. I mean he looks everything. You know, he
looks the part of first team All American.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Uh. You know. It was when I asked Luke.
Speaker 13 (07:38):
Who has the scout like he was SEC player of
the year, right, and he said, no, who the hell
got it?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
It was like all right, broom, all right.
Speaker 13 (07:47):
So but yeah, the shooting, though, I think, is what's
taking it to a crazy high level for him. The range,
the fact that he does it off the dribble, the
fact that he gets it off as quick as he
gets off. I mean, some of the ones that he's making,
or a large majority of the ones he's making, you
can't do much about it. I mean, they are NBA
(08:09):
level shots. I don't know where he is on mock drafts.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
He should be there.
Speaker 13 (08:19):
You know, he looks to me like a guy who's
you know, got some Fred Van Fleet type of abilities
as a guard, impressive player with great instincts.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Okay, let's stand at edge or.
Speaker 10 (08:33):
Jesse he Dockerty With The Washington Post, Dan Todd was
in here earlier saying that when he faced you guys
two years ago, he started to maybe see what he
wanted to build his program into. And I'm curious if
having so much success kind of there's a trap there
of maybe giving teams a template how do them beat you?
And how much you've maybe seen teams try to mimic
what you guys have done in recent years.
Speaker 13 (08:54):
Yeah, I mean I think you know, I've looked at
uh yeah, I remember that game obviously, you know in
twenty three it was, you know, the beginning of of
of this run that we've been on. And I think
that the what we learned the most from our failure
in twenty twenty two was, uh, you know, the roster
(09:15):
construction piece, which you know, we absolutely nailed the last
two years.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
And you know, I'm I'm.
Speaker 13 (09:23):
Looking at you know, obviously, as this season has gone on,
I've looked at the best teams in the country and
how they've constructed this year and and uh, I've envied
some of the teams that I'm now facing or that
I've had a chance to watch, So you know, I
think we all watch and learn from each other on
(09:44):
on a on a year to year basis. I think
it's just, uh, you know, what they have in terms
of their front court is obviously similar to what we've
had in our run. And then obviously the perimeter firepower
and the veteran guards uh us with Cam Spencer, Tristan Newton,
(10:05):
you know, big physical guards, Steph Castle. You know, we've
had a you know, we've had the formula the last
couple of years and it looks like, you know, they've
got a pretty good formula.
Speaker 12 (10:18):
Okay, on the edge r Jacob Josh Graham ws JS
and the spirit of envying what other teams might have.
We often hear coaches talk about remembering the losses more
than wins. With that in mind and sharing a building
with Cooper Flag this weekend, how often do you think
about or how much does it bother you the recruiting
(10:38):
battles you might have And have you had a moment
to think what this roster might have been like if
he was on it?
Speaker 13 (10:45):
Yeah, I think during the course of your career. I
think any time, no matter where you are, whether you're
at Wagner, you know, Rody, when I was coaching high
school of basketball at Saint Benedict's and Kyrie went to
Saint Pat's and Kevin Boyle kicked my ass with Kyrie,
you know, uh, you know, I rude the day that
(11:07):
I didn't get that guy to come to Saint Patnict.
So I think that's just just kind of human nature
and part of it. I think you're always you know,
when you see players, you'll go to other places and
and uh and do well you imagine, you know what,
you know what that player at different moments, you know
what that would have been like the coach. But I
think all coaches kind of kind of do that at
(11:30):
different times. You don't obsess over it.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Okay, Ethan, let's go third row in the middle, then
we go front, and then we'll work back.
Speaker 14 (11:39):
Dan Mike Anthony from Hurston, Connecticut solo ball seems filled
with joy to be playing the role he's playing with
this team, But I think back to last year in
Brooklyn and Boston, he was filled with joy to be
along for the Riote. He just seems to have loved
his experience. What his what has his ability to handle
two distinctly different roles with the same approach meant to.
Speaker 13 (11:59):
Your Yeah, you know just uh, I mean just Solo
just came into this into the program. You know, when
you have like, uh, you know, two great parents like
Solo has, you know that obviously you know, loving and nurturing,
but also too, you know, demanding and high standards. You know,
(12:23):
So you're just getting someone in your program that is uh,
you know, it's just going to add a lot to
your culture.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
And is going to be a great program.
Speaker 13 (12:34):
Guy obviously super talented, you know, with the shooting and uh,
and a guy that's got a high level of confidence
and self belief and is improving and in a lot
of different aspects of his game. I think you see
the defensive improvement, you know, right now before your eyes.
I think you see the uh, you know, the guard
guard play improvement. Obviously, the foul trouble, you know, hurt
(12:58):
his overall line last night. We got to find a
way to get him four or five more shots in
tomorrow's game. We can't have games maybe where he ends
with with eight or nine shots. We've got to get
him thirteen fourteen shots in tomorrow night's game, because you know,
he's just he's built for you know, he's built for
the stage. He's he's built for what Yukon's trying to do.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
Okay, front row, then we're going back.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Dave Borders Hirst, Connecticut Media.
Speaker 15 (13:26):
Dan Sampson the all time wins leader here after a
last I guess this kind of answers itself. But what
does that say about him? And we all know that,
you know, the the wall potential quote when he came
to as a fresher that's not going to happen. But
is that still a pretty good summary of his career?
The fact that he's the all time in this program.
Speaker 13 (13:46):
Of yeah, yeah, I mean, Samson's just the most awesome
human being. And you'll just y'all ever have in your program,
just just all about teams, super helted, waited his turn,
dealt with injuries, you know, had to earn his spot,
had to earn a starting spot. We'll do absolutely anything
(14:09):
he can to you know, help the team win the possession,
and uh, you know he just uh it speaks to
the type of men we've had and the type of
run we've had here in a program. It's hard to
make history or or do historical things at Yukon. And
(14:30):
just proud that he gets Uh, you know that.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That's crazy that a program like Yukon. You you've won
the most games.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
All right, Ethan we gon go fourth row, then fifth row,
then third row.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Got to start crying.
Speaker 16 (14:47):
Kevin Brockway gains Wilson obviously. Uh, you know before Todd Golden,
Billy Donovan achieved high level of success of Florida before
going on to the NBA. And I understand you guys
have a little bit of a relationship. Just what kind
of signing or has he been to you over the
years and your thoughts about, you know, facing a Florida
program that was once led by him.
Speaker 13 (15:05):
Yeah, I mean as a young coach, those are the
teams that I admired. I mean, I'm you know, Billy's
always been one of my coaching idols. And and uh,
he's impacted me in terms of mentors as much as
anyone outside of the Hurly clan. He's had as much
or more impact, probably the most. Although he's gone dark
(15:27):
on me the last couple of days here. He's not
responding to texts or phone calls from me. So but yeah,
I mean those those Florida teams, those are some of
my favorite teams I've ever watched play, you know, with.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Horford and Noah and Brewer.
Speaker 13 (15:45):
I mean, know, those teams are amazing and uh two
have accomplished the things that you know, my coaching idol
has accomplished. And how much I love those Florida teams
and we've been able to, you know, do what they've
been able to, uh, you know, accomplished. Just it means
obviously it means a lot to me, but the relationship
(16:06):
means more to me than than anything because he's helped
me so much. Billy is Uh, He's incredible.
Speaker 7 (16:14):
Okay, let's stay on that edge here, right Dan Steve
Reid from the Associated Press. So, you're in a position
you haven't been in very often over the last couple
of years in the tournament. It's almost a double digit
underdog going in tomorrow. First of all, I guess, in general,
how does that? I guess guys feel different? And secondly,
can you use that as a momentum when you're talking
(16:35):
or incentive when you're talking to the guys? Is it
something you'll bring up and doesn't matter.
Speaker 13 (16:41):
Yeah, you know, I don't think you like walk around
saying to yourself when you coach or play at Yukon
and you know you are coming off back to back championships,
you know, we're just with the way that the season
has played out. Obviously, you you know, we're you know,
(17:03):
at our low end. We've had losses that have put
us into this eight nine position, but you know we're
we're a couple of possessions away from you know, if
we don't completely melt down at the end of the
seat in the Hall game, you know, if if we
don't and if we don't and I don't you know,
and plode and Maui and and blow all three of
those games. If you know, if we if we make
(17:26):
a couple of free throws, you know, at the end
of that Villanova game, we may be looking at you know,
a five set at worst here. So I don't know
that when you coach or play at Yukon and you're
coming off the success that we've had, that you know,
we're we're looking at ourselves that way.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
You know.
Speaker 13 (17:46):
The film doesn't lie about Florida the challenges that they
present in terms of what they do offensively, what they
do defensively, what they do on the backboard. You know,
it's it's eerily similar to what the challenge is that
we've presented to people, you know, but this is it's
not a best of seven game series, you know, this
(18:10):
is uh, you know, it's a one game, you know,
do or die situation. You know, for us, there's a
distinct way that that we're going to want to play
this game tomorrow. You know that we believe he's gonna
give us a chance, you know, to to win the
game if we could. Obviously, you know, shore up our defense,
(18:31):
which has been better late in the year. I thought
it was, you know, versus Oklahoma team yesterday, that was uh.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
You know, they were they were.
Speaker 13 (18:43):
You know, they were a very difficult shot that Kentucky
made at the horn to beat them. They they were
a very difficult shot away from playing in the SEC semifinals,
Oklahoma was And I thought we guarded them very well yesterday.
So obviously our defense is going to be stressed out
to the max. Our our rebounding is gon be stressed
out to the max, you know, but we've got to
(19:05):
do things to give ourselves a chance tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Versus team.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Okay, Third Road.
Speaker 17 (19:12):
Joe Rude of Hartford Current Dan Liam obviously has had
a lot on his shoulders this year as far as
responsibilities with this team. How have you seen them? How
does he respond to two tough games like he's had
a little bit lately, And what do you need from
him tomorrow to have a chance?
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, I mean he has the.
Speaker 13 (19:30):
You know, the exact exact type of mental toughness and
upbringing and uh and work ethic and uh, you know,
and and career success where he could put together put
behind him, you know, the kind of a couple of
tough games which he you know, he's experienced. I think,
(19:51):
you know, I think it makes him really dangerous tomorrow.
I think it makes them incredibly dangerous in the game
where you know, he has the ability, you know, if
he if he if we can execute and get him
the type of looks that that we've got to get
for him offensively from a coaching staff and the players
around him, you know that that he you know, he's
(20:14):
convinced that you know, he's due, you know. And some
players will stay in it, and some players will go
through stretches like this and say I'm closer to being due,
And in the back of his mind he's got that
Creton game. You know, we're against one of the uh,
you know, the toughest defenses that you'll play against. The
guy went off for thirty eight. So in the back
(20:36):
of his mind, he knows what he's capable of, and
in his mind he thinks he's due.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
All right, Jacob, go back a little bit.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
There you go, Coach Sam Callahan, the daily campus.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Has a gun. So regardless of opponent.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
Yesterday Florida just came out swinging against Norfolk State, and
they've done that numerous times of season. How important against
the most efficient offense in the country. How important it
is for you guys to just how important is the
first four minutes of this game tomorrow?
Speaker 13 (21:06):
Yeah, I just think every every possession is critical. I
think with them, what you see is is just the runs.
You know, when you when you play a leader lead offense,
and you play elite defense, and you're a tremendous rebounding
team and you're deep. You know, last year I just
(21:28):
talked about you know, you know, we had a we
were a bulletproof in the tournament because.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Of all of those factors.
Speaker 13 (21:34):
And you know, when you have you know, a team
like that, it just allows you to go on runs.
You know, it's those hit a three, get a stop,
get out transition, get it done, get a stop, hit
a three, boom. It was just you were just up
to now you're down five, you know, like and you
(21:54):
know that's where they get you. So you know, for us,
you know we're obviously you're going to have to you know,
just be in a in a possession possession battle. You know,
we can't really afford to try to play, you know,
an SEC type of game against them where we're coming
down and shooting within the first five seconds of the
(22:16):
shot clock, and you know, then we're loose on defense
and they shoot early in the clock, and then you know,
we've got to try to play a different type of
game than that.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Okay, Jacob, take a step up the fourth row there,
and then the next question will be right behind you.
Speaker 12 (22:33):
Dan, Since you were talking about a SEC big East
expansion the other day, I'm just curious how much history.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
I didn't bring it up. I was just responding that's right.
Speaker 12 (22:41):
I'm just interested how much history you have DOM did
in this state. And I know that it's become a
trend of late for high major top program scheduling, home
and homes. Have you had discussions with Duke North Carolina?
Would you like to play more in this state?
Speaker 13 (22:56):
Yeah, I would love to because I think I think
tomorrow night think that you know, the Duke fans obviously,
you know, they have their history with with Yukon and
and that rivalry. But my hope and tomorrow night's game,
tomorrow afternoon's game with the crowd, with the Duke people
that file in is that the you know number eleven
(23:18):
Hurley Jersey and you know that that Trump's the petty
Yukon Duke. I know our fans could be brutal on
social and that digital sewer, but you know, I'm hoping
though that Bobby Hurley, uh, and what he did for
Duke and what Duke did for him and what they
(23:39):
meant to each other and Coach k maybe blesses it
that maybe that the Duke fans may be you know, come,
you know, help me out tomorrow in there. Yeah, and
we would like to. I mean we're you know, for us,
obviously everything has changed in terms of you know, less
MTE and more wanting to do you know, single a
(24:03):
couple of single you know, single game MSG or somewhere
big somewhere in Chicago for a single game, and then
home and homes and yes, I mean we we've you know,
we reach out for Kentucky, we reach out for for
Duke and Carolina and Kansas and you know what we're
trying to schedule, you know, those exciting home and homes
or neutral site events that you know, just get people's
(24:29):
attention for college basketball in November and December. Playing games
like that I think are just great for the sport
and we want to play them. And yes, we have,
you know, reached out and I think you know, we'll
be excited and we'll be announcing some exciting ones that
we'll be playing. You know, but you know, it takes
two to tango.
Speaker 4 (24:49):
Okay, stay on that edge.
Speaker 18 (24:51):
Darren soultsas Western News Orlando uh Todd was just up
there talking about how with all the success you guys
have had in this tournament, especially the last couple of years,
your team expects to win. They have that mentality. How
valuable is that, you know, intangible and how difficult is
that to attain?
Speaker 13 (25:08):
Yeah, I mean, in all fairness to to the team, obviously,
we've been able to you know, retain the staff and uh,
you know, but a majority of the players that were
part of the two two year run of or are
now starring in the n b A. So, but we
still have obviously some significant players with with Caravan and
(25:30):
Samson Johnson, Hassandi Aara and Jay Stu and Solo Ball,
you know, Jay Ross have all helped you know, last
year's team, uh as well, So we still have you
know that DNA and and I think I think more
so for us, Uh, there's tremendous there's tremendous relief based
on how how tumultuous disease it was and how how
(25:53):
loud the external noise has been the whole year, both
for everything that surrounds me and and surround Yukon basketball
with House, that's what we've been. I think there's just
been a great level of relief for our team just
to hear our name called, to be able to obviously
to have gotten through the first game and now have
an opportunity to play, you know, one of the best
(26:15):
teams in the tournament for the right to get to
Sweet sixteen. I mean, we understand the challenge, the challenges
that that Florida presents. The tape does not lie. You know,
the analytics and the efficiency of their offense and defense,
all that stuff does not lie. You can't really get
lucky in this tournament. So we're just we know that
(26:38):
it's not a best of seven, you know, and we've
faced the same type of pressure that Todd and his team,
you know, is facing playing these games. Like Todd knows
what type of team he's got. I knew what type
of team I had the last couple of years. And
when you know you've got a squad, you know, that's
like a real thing when you get to these rounds
(27:00):
to thirty two, sweet sixteen, like you know you've got
a squad, So I could relate to what he's experiencing
right now.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
Any other questions, all right, coach, thank you very much,
good luck tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 13 (27:17):
My job
All right, good afternoon. We're now ready to start the
Yukon Student Athlete Press Conference. I'd like to remind you
one more time please make sure your phones are on mute,
and at this time we'll go ahead and open up
the floor for questions. Please raise your hand and we'll
get your microphone. All right, let's start in the back.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
David Hill with ESPN guys.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Last night after the game, Coach Reli said that if
it wasn't quote for his I think antics and viral moments,
you guys would be getting more appreciation and attention for
the run that this program has been on over the
last few years. I'm curious any of you can answer
this obviously, what do you make of that? And do
you wish there was more attention on what you guys
have done or do you kind of like it that
(00:50):
a lot of us tend to focus on coach instead?
Speaker 4 (00:53):
So could you answer that question.
Speaker 5 (00:56):
I mean, at the last couple of years, the run
has been amazing and we've all enjoyed it. But we're
still on the run and we still want to continue it.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
All right, let's go over there.
Speaker 6 (01:09):
Jacob sam Callen the Daily Campus has uh, you guys
faced Walter Cleanton Junior two years ago with Iona, just
how has this game evolved since from then until now?
Speaker 5 (01:22):
Yeah, I mean he's playing at an all American level.
You can really shoot the ball, shoot the ball off
the bounce. We just have to, you know, I mean,
follow our game plan and you know, make it tough
for him.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
All right, let's go to the dark the black shirt.
There you go, and then we're behind.
Speaker 7 (01:41):
Hey, Steve Reid from the Associated Press for all of
you guys, Alex in particular, you guys go into tomorrow's
game is almost a double digit underdog, which is not
something that you guys have seen very often over the
last couple of years.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
I just want to.
Speaker 7 (01:59):
Mentally, you know, being that underdog, you know, how does
that feel and is it? Is it less pressure in
some ways?
Speaker 8 (02:06):
I guess, uh, yeah, it's definitely less pressure. But I
felt like we've been the underdog the entire season ever
since we came back from BWI, so we're used to
being the underdogs for a majority of the season and
it's not really a news stage.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
For us this year.
Speaker 8 (02:21):
So I mean, we'll be ready.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
For tomorrow, terrorists. Could you answer that question as well?
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 9 (02:31):
Like you said, we feel like other people feel like
we're going under the dog. Yeah, that's that's cool. But
go out there and play, play hard, play like we
have none to lose. So I feel like that's that's
gonna be the key to the game. Locking up defensively
and on what type of team they are explosive on
the offensive end, So being able to hone in on
our defensive skills and control the glass.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Hasan Is there anything to add?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Oh yeah, we just you know, maybe being an underdog
going into them all. There's nothing new to us. We
just got to be ready, all right.
Speaker 10 (03:06):
Other questions, I'm sorry Jesse Docherty from the Washington Post.
So this is for Alex Farness coaches in here earlier,
saying after he played you kind of a couple of
years ago, he kind of saw a blueprint for what
he might want to build there. Have you noticed, as
you guys have had all the success that maybe teams
have started to play like you?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
And if so, what's that look like?
Speaker 8 (03:25):
I mean, definitely, I think you know, teams have started
to follow our model, our style ways, and that's just
been with teams across the country. You definitely see teams
stealing different actions or defensively as well. So you know,
the coaching stat has done a great job of finding
that and just establishing that for us the last two
years and this year, and you know it's worked, so
(03:47):
other people want to succeed as well.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
All Right, all the way in the back to Ethan, Alex,
you mentioned you felt like an underdog since MAUI. How
much different do you feel like this team is today
if that it was when you got back from that trip.
Speaker 8 (04:01):
It's extremely different. I mean, it's two completely different teams.
We've gone a lot stronger since that trip. We've gone
a lot stronger with injuries that we've had to deal with,
so we're completely different. We've learned a lot, We've learned
how to play play alongside each other better, and the
coaches has has done a really good job of helping
us continue to get to the point that we are
(04:22):
this year. So it's it's been a long journey, but
we've learned a lot and we became stronger from it.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Let's go on the injury.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Hey, Alex, coach talked about, you know, wanting you to
take more shots.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
What's his message personally to you? You know, as you
prepare for this one.
Speaker 8 (04:40):
Yeah, it's the same as it's always been, just he
has so much trust and confidence in who I am
as a players. He does want me to shoot the
ball more, and you know, I definitely do got to
do that at times. So I just got to have
that confidence in myself as well. But everyone in the
locker room believes in me or the coaching staff believes
in me, and you know I got it, especially at
this stage.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Of the tournament.
Speaker 11 (05:03):
Any other questions, Okay, let's go back there, Terras. First off,
did you bring your saxophone on this trip? And also,
you do seem to have like a certain rhythm to
your game. I don't know if it's maybe a forced
I don't know connection, but are there any ways in
which being a musician maybe influences how you play basketball?
Speaker 9 (05:22):
Yeah? Uh no, I did not bring my saxophone on
this trip, but it is with me in stores at
the gym right now. But yeah, I feel like playing
music has helped me so much on the court and
off the court. But like I said, like basketball is
a rhythm. Each each person has their own rhythm, their
own cadence, and once you figured it out, it's easier
to go on on defense, but on offensive side, you
(05:45):
have to know what your cadence is. So for the
longest time, like mine was a little bit like two
finasti cel getting here in the summer. I mean coach
Coach wanted to make an emphasis of me being more physical,
more dominant, more assertive in the post. So I feel
like the balance of both worlds is like a perfect
perfect balance for me.
Speaker 6 (06:06):
Any other questions, All right, this can get for any
three of you playing Oklahoma and SEC team last night,
Just how the Secs had a great seedson all year long.
Do you think being Oklahoma in the way you guys
did in the gritty matchup helps you prepare for tomorrow night?
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Hassan, could you answer that place?
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Yeah, I would say it definitely helped us prepared for
us for tomorrow night. I mean, you know, Oklahoma was
a very good team, very physical team. They played tough,
especially downa shretch, And I think we need to do
the same thing that we did a lot of the
same things that we did in yesterday's game.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
We need to do that tomorrow.
Speaker 12 (06:52):
Dan Mark Cannaziaro from New York Post, I'm just curious
about what you make of the development of Clayton.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
You saw him a few years ago.
Speaker 12 (06:59):
Out and and what what what makes him special?
Speaker 8 (07:03):
Now?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah?
Speaker 13 (07:04):
I mean you you you know, it's funny you look
at the you know, the beginning of our run. You
know he was you know, he shared the court with us,
and you know you could see the you know, the
two way ability. You know, the size, the you know,
(07:25):
the physical strength obviously, the you know, the shooting is
highest level. I mean he looks everything. You know, he
looks the part of first team All American.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Uh. You know. It was when I asked Luke.
Speaker 13 (07:38):
Who has the scout like he was SEC player of
the year, right, and he said, no, who the hell
got it?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
It was like all right, broom, all right.
Speaker 13 (07:47):
So but yeah, the shooting, though, I think, is what's
taking it to a crazy high level for him. The range,
the fact that he does it off the dribble, the
fact that he gets it off as quick as he
gets off. I mean, some of the ones that he's making,
or a large majority of the ones he's making, you
can't do much about it. I mean, they are NBA
(08:09):
level shots. I don't know where he is on mock drafts.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
He should be there.
Speaker 13 (08:19):
You know, he looks to me like a guy who's
you know, got some Fred Van Fleet type of abilities
as a guard, impressive player with great instincts.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Okay, let's stand at edge or.
Speaker 10 (08:33):
Jesse he Dockerty With The Washington Post, Dan Todd was
in here earlier saying that when he faced you guys
two years ago, he started to maybe see what he
wanted to build his program into. And I'm curious if
having so much success kind of there's a trap there
of maybe giving teams a template how do them beat you?
And how much you've maybe seen teams try to mimic
what you guys have done in recent years.
Speaker 13 (08:54):
Yeah, I mean I think you know, I've looked at
uh yeah, I remember that game obviously, you know in
twenty three it was, you know, the beginning of of
of this run that we've been on. And I think
that the what we learned the most from our failure
in twenty twenty two was, uh, you know, the roster
(09:15):
construction piece, which you know, we absolutely nailed the last
two years.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
And you know, I'm I'm.
Speaker 13 (09:23):
Looking at you know, obviously, as this season has gone on,
I've looked at the best teams in the country and
how they've constructed this year and and uh, I've envied
some of the teams that I'm now facing or that
I've had a chance to watch, So you know, I
think we all watch and learn from each other on
(09:44):
on a on a year to year basis. I think
it's just, uh, you know, what they have in terms
of their front court is obviously similar to what we've
had in our run. And then obviously the perimeter firepower
and the veteran guards uh us with Cam Spencer, Tristan Newton,
(10:05):
you know, big physical guards, Steph Castle. You know, we've
had a you know, we've had the formula the last
couple of years and it looks like, you know, they've
got a pretty good formula.
Speaker 12 (10:18):
Okay, on the edge r Jacob Josh Graham ws JS
and the spirit of envying what other teams might have.
We often hear coaches talk about remembering the losses more
than wins. With that in mind and sharing a building
with Cooper Flag this weekend, how often do you think
about or how much does it bother you the recruiting
(10:38):
battles you might have And have you had a moment
to think what this roster might have been like if
he was on it?
Speaker 13 (10:45):
Yeah, I think during the course of your career. I
think any time, no matter where you are, whether you're
at Wagner, you know, Rody, when I was coaching high
school of basketball at Saint Benedict's and Kyrie went to
Saint Pat's and Kevin Boyle kicked my ass with Kyrie,
you know, uh, you know, I rude the day that
(11:07):
I didn't get that guy to come to Saint Patnict.
So I think that's just just kind of human nature
and part of it. I think you're always you know,
when you see players, you'll go to other places and
and uh and do well you imagine, you know what,
you know what that player at different moments, you know
what that would have been like the coach. But I
think all coaches kind of kind of do that at
(11:30):
different times. You don't obsess over it.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Okay, Ethan, let's go third row in the middle, then
we go front, and then we'll work back.
Speaker 14 (11:39):
Dan Mike Anthony from Hurston, Connecticut solo ball seems filled
with joy to be playing the role he's playing with
this team, But I think back to last year in
Brooklyn and Boston, he was filled with joy to be
along for the Riote. He just seems to have loved
his experience. What his what has his ability to handle
two distinctly different roles with the same approach meant to.
Speaker 13 (11:59):
Your Yeah, you know just uh, I mean just Solo
just came into this into the program. You know, when
you have like, uh, you know, two great parents like
Solo has, you know that obviously you know, loving and nurturing,
but also too, you know, demanding and high standards. You know,
(12:23):
So you're just getting someone in your program that is uh,
you know, it's just going to add a lot to
your culture.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
And is going to be a great program.
Speaker 13 (12:34):
Guy obviously super talented, you know, with the shooting and uh,
and a guy that's got a high level of confidence
and self belief and is improving and in a lot
of different aspects of his game. I think you see
the defensive improvement, you know, right now before your eyes.
I think you see the uh, you know, the guard
guard play improvement. Obviously, the foul trouble, you know, hurt
(12:58):
his overall line last night. We got to find a
way to get him four or five more shots in
tomorrow's game. We can't have games maybe where he ends
with with eight or nine shots. We've got to get
him thirteen fourteen shots in tomorrow night's game, because you know,
he's just he's built for you know, he's built for
the stage. He's he's built for what Yukon's trying to do.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
Okay, front row, then we're going back.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Dave Borders Hirst, Connecticut Media.
Speaker 15 (13:26):
Dan Sampson the all time wins leader here after a
last I guess this kind of answers itself. But what
does that say about him? And we all know that,
you know, the the wall potential quote when he came
to as a fresher that's not going to happen. But
is that still a pretty good summary of his career?
The fact that he's the all time in this program.
Speaker 13 (13:46):
Of yeah, yeah, I mean, Samson's just the most awesome
human being. And you'll just y'all ever have in your program,
just just all about teams, super helted, waited his turn,
dealt with injuries, you know, had to earn his spot,
had to earn a starting spot. We'll do absolutely anything
(14:09):
he can to you know, help the team win the possession,
and uh, you know he just uh it speaks to
the type of men we've had and the type of
run we've had here in a program. It's hard to
make history or or do historical things at Yukon. And
(14:30):
just proud that he gets Uh, you know that.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That's crazy that a program like Yukon. You you've won
the most games.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
All right, Ethan we gon go fourth row, then fifth row,
then third row.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Got to start crying.
Speaker 16 (14:47):
Kevin Brockway gains Wilson obviously. Uh, you know before Todd Golden,
Billy Donovan achieved high level of success of Florida before
going on to the NBA. And I understand you guys
have a little bit of a relationship. Just what kind
of signing or has he been to you over the
years and your thoughts about, you know, facing a Florida
program that was once led by him.
Speaker 13 (15:05):
Yeah, I mean as a young coach, those are the
teams that I admired. I mean, I'm you know, Billy's
always been one of my coaching idols. And and uh,
he's impacted me in terms of mentors as much as
anyone outside of the Hurly clan. He's had as much
or more impact, probably the most. Although he's gone dark
(15:27):
on me the last couple of days here. He's not
responding to texts or phone calls from me. So but yeah,
I mean those those Florida teams, those are some of
my favorite teams I've ever watched play, you know, with.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Horford and Noah and Brewer.
Speaker 13 (15:45):
I mean, know, those teams are amazing and uh two
have accomplished the things that you know, my coaching idol
has accomplished. And how much I love those Florida teams
and we've been able to, you know, do what they've
been able to, uh, you know, accomplished. Just it means
obviously it means a lot to me, but the relationship
(16:06):
means more to me than than anything because he's helped
me so much. Billy is Uh, He's incredible.
Speaker 7 (16:14):
Okay, let's stay on that edge here, right Dan Steve
Reid from the Associated Press. So, you're in a position
you haven't been in very often over the last couple
of years in the tournament. It's almost a double digit
underdog going in tomorrow. First of all, I guess, in general,
how does that? I guess guys feel different? And secondly,
can you use that as a momentum when you're talking
(16:35):
or incentive when you're talking to the guys? Is it
something you'll bring up and doesn't matter.
Speaker 13 (16:41):
Yeah, you know, I don't think you like walk around
saying to yourself when you coach or play at Yukon
and you know you are coming off back to back championships,
you know, we're just with the way that the season
has played out. Obviously, you you know, we're you know,
(17:03):
at our low end. We've had losses that have put
us into this eight nine position, but you know we're
we're a couple of possessions away from you know, if
we don't completely melt down at the end of the
seat in the Hall game, you know, if if we
don't and if we don't and I don't you know,
and plode and Maui and and blow all three of
those games. If you know, if we if we make
(17:26):
a couple of free throws, you know, at the end
of that Villanova game, we may be looking at you know,
a five set at worst here. So I don't know
that when you coach or play at Yukon and you're
coming off the success that we've had, that you know,
we're we're looking at ourselves that way.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
You know.
Speaker 13 (17:46):
The film doesn't lie about Florida the challenges that they
present in terms of what they do offensively, what they
do defensively, what they do on the backboard. You know,
it's it's eerily similar to what the challenge is that
we've presented to people, you know, but this is it's
not a best of seven game series, you know, this
(18:10):
is uh, you know, it's a one game, you know,
do or die situation. You know, for us, there's a
distinct way that that we're going to want to play
this game tomorrow. You know that we believe he's gonna
give us a chance, you know, to to win the
game if we could. Obviously, you know, shore up our defense,
(18:31):
which has been better late in the year. I thought
it was, you know, versus Oklahoma team yesterday, that was uh.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
You know, they were they were.
Speaker 13 (18:43):
You know, they were a very difficult shot that Kentucky
made at the horn to beat them. They they were
a very difficult shot away from playing in the SEC semifinals,
Oklahoma was And I thought we guarded them very well yesterday.
So obviously our defense is going to be stressed out
to the max. Our our rebounding is gon be stressed
out to the max, you know, but we've got to
(19:05):
do things to give ourselves a chance tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Versus team.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Okay, Third Road.
Speaker 17 (19:12):
Joe Rude of Hartford Current Dan Liam obviously has had
a lot on his shoulders this year as far as
responsibilities with this team. How have you seen them? How
does he respond to two tough games like he's had
a little bit lately, And what do you need from
him tomorrow to have a chance?
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, I mean he has the.
Speaker 13 (19:30):
You know, the exact exact type of mental toughness and
upbringing and uh and work ethic and uh, you know,
and and career success where he could put together put
behind him, you know, the kind of a couple of
tough games which he you know, he's experienced. I think,
(19:51):
you know, I think it makes him really dangerous tomorrow.
I think it makes them incredibly dangerous in the game
where you know, he has the ability, you know, if
he if he if we can execute and get him
the type of looks that that we've got to get
for him offensively from a coaching staff and the players
around him, you know that that he you know, he's
(20:14):
convinced that you know, he's due, you know. And some
players will stay in it, and some players will go
through stretches like this and say I'm closer to being due,
And in the back of his mind he's got that
Creton game. You know, we're against one of the uh,
you know, the toughest defenses that you'll play against. The
guy went off for thirty eight. So in the back
(20:36):
of his mind, he knows what he's capable of, and
in his mind he thinks he's due.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
All right, Jacob, go back a little bit.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
There you go, Coach Sam Callahan, the daily campus.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Has a gun. So regardless of opponent.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
Yesterday Florida just came out swinging against Norfolk State, and
they've done that numerous times of season. How important against
the most efficient offense in the country. How important it
is for you guys to just how important is the
first four minutes of this game tomorrow?
Speaker 13 (21:06):
Yeah, I just think every every possession is critical. I
think with them, what you see is is just the runs.
You know, when you when you play a leader lead offense,
and you play elite defense, and you're a tremendous rebounding
team and you're deep. You know, last year I just
(21:28):
talked about you know, you know, we had a we
were a bulletproof in the tournament because.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Of all of those factors.
Speaker 13 (21:34):
And you know, when you have you know, a team
like that, it just allows you to go on runs.
You know, it's those hit a three, get a stop,
get out transition, get it done, get a stop, hit
a three, boom. It was just you were just up
to now you're down five, you know, like and you
(21:54):
know that's where they get you. So you know, for us,
you know we're obviously you're going to have to you know,
just be in a in a possession possession battle. You know,
we can't really afford to try to play, you know,
an SEC type of game against them where we're coming
down and shooting within the first five seconds of the
(22:16):
shot clock, and you know, then we're loose on defense
and they shoot early in the clock, and then you know,
we've got to try to play a different type of
game than that.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Okay, Jacob, take a step up the fourth row there,
and then the next question will be right behind you.
Speaker 12 (22:33):
Dan, Since you were talking about a SEC big East
expansion the other day, I'm just curious how much history.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
I didn't bring it up. I was just responding that's right.
Speaker 12 (22:41):
I'm just interested how much history you have DOM did
in this state. And I know that it's become a
trend of late for high major top program scheduling, home
and homes. Have you had discussions with Duke North Carolina?
Would you like to play more in this state?
Speaker 13 (22:56):
Yeah, I would love to because I think I think
tomorrow night think that you know, the Duke fans obviously,
you know, they have their history with with Yukon and
and that rivalry. But my hope and tomorrow night's game,
tomorrow afternoon's game with the crowd, with the Duke people
that file in is that the you know number eleven
(23:18):
Hurley Jersey and you know that that Trump's the petty
Yukon Duke. I know our fans could be brutal on
social and that digital sewer, but you know, I'm hoping
though that Bobby Hurley, uh, and what he did for
Duke and what Duke did for him and what they
(23:39):
meant to each other and Coach k maybe blesses it
that maybe that the Duke fans may be you know, come,
you know, help me out tomorrow in there. Yeah, and
we would like to. I mean we're you know, for us,
obviously everything has changed in terms of you know, less
MTE and more wanting to do you know, single a
(24:03):
couple of single you know, single game MSG or somewhere
big somewhere in Chicago for a single game, and then
home and homes and yes, I mean we we've you know,
we reach out for Kentucky, we reach out for for
Duke and Carolina and Kansas and you know what we're
trying to schedule, you know, those exciting home and homes
or neutral site events that you know, just get people's
(24:29):
attention for college basketball in November and December. Playing games
like that I think are just great for the sport
and we want to play them. And yes, we have,
you know, reached out and I think you know, we'll
be excited and we'll be announcing some exciting ones that
we'll be playing. You know, but you know, it takes
two to tango.
Speaker 4 (24:49):
Okay, stay on that edge.
Speaker 18 (24:51):
Darren soultsas Western News Orlando uh Todd was just up
there talking about how with all the success you guys
have had in this tournament, especially the last couple of years,
your team expects to win. They have that mentality. How
valuable is that, you know, intangible and how difficult is
that to attain?
Speaker 13 (25:08):
Yeah, I mean, in all fairness to to the team, obviously,
we've been able to you know, retain the staff and uh,
you know, but a majority of the players that were
part of the two two year run of or are
now starring in the n b A. So, but we
still have obviously some significant players with with Caravan and
(25:30):
Samson Johnson, Hassandi Aara and Jay Stu and Solo Ball,
you know, Jay Ross have all helped you know, last
year's team, uh as well, So we still have you
know that DNA and and I think I think more
so for us, Uh, there's tremendous there's tremendous relief based
on how how tumultuous disease it was and how how
(25:53):
loud the external noise has been the whole year, both
for everything that surrounds me and and surround Yukon basketball
with House, that's what we've been. I think there's just
been a great level of relief for our team just
to hear our name called, to be able to obviously
to have gotten through the first game and now have
an opportunity to play, you know, one of the best
(26:15):
teams in the tournament for the right to get to
Sweet sixteen. I mean, we understand the challenge, the challenges
that that Florida presents. The tape does not lie. You know,
the analytics and the efficiency of their offense and defense,
all that stuff does not lie. You can't really get
lucky in this tournament. So we're just we know that
(26:38):
it's not a best of seven, you know, and we've
faced the same type of pressure that Todd and his team,
you know, is facing playing these games. Like Todd knows
what type of team he's got. I knew what type
of team I had the last couple of years. And
when you know you've got a squad, you know, that's
like a real thing when you get to these rounds
(27:00):
to thirty two, sweet sixteen, like you know you've got
a squad, So I could relate to what he's experiencing
right now.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
Any other questions, all right, coach, thank you very much,
good luck tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 13 (27:17):
My job
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.