ESPN news is going to break right now,and they said they were coming back to talk to MU
I should have video of it up shortly after the conference is over.
Nevermind. My camera's battery ran out.
Crean: First time since 80' that MU has gone to the tourny 3 times in a row. Proud of that but means nothing tomorrow. Billy G coaches with passion. Kentucky smart b-ball team. Defense has gotten better throughout the year. Not many weaknesses. Reinvented themselves with perimeter play since Patterson went down to injury. Tribute to what they are capable of.
Q: Something about the team being tired I think was asked.
C: Team knows what they want to do. Not many situations they havent encountered this year.
Q: How hard is it to reinvent yourself three games before the end of the regular season.
C: Helps when have the right perimeter players. Win because they defend at a high level. Defend all aspects of the game. As the season as gone the defense continues to improve.
Q: How important is Lazar's improvement?
C: Everygame this season has been big for Lazar. Improved each day since he got to MU. More responsibilty this year.
Q: Tom could you talk about the new Big East.
C: We felt Cuse was a NCAA team. Eventually 9 or 10 teams will get in because of the quality of teams. Looking at USF taking UConn to the wire, that's what makes it a great league. In the first three years in the league GU, UConn, and MU have won 10+ games each year which helps prepare them for the tourny.
Q: Is every Big East game like a NCAA game?
C: The intensity level sure is. There have been many times this year where games felt like a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 game. Try to get that in the players minds to prepare them. Kentucky did not beat themselves this year. UK got better as they played in these type of games. Kentucky a completly different team from the begining of the season.
Q: Both teams have big NCAA history. Are players aware?
C: Yes. Helped with recruiting. Only three team personel around from Final Four season.