MU news conference

[Fox Valley Warrior]

ESPN news is going to break right now,and they said they were coming back to talk to MU

[TallTitan34]

I should have video of it up shortly after the conference is over.

[TallTitan34]

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.