Jim Calhoun Exact Quotations

We're not exactly coming off a disaster, we are 27-3. We have to treat this like a weekend tournament because it is for us.

Exact opposite teams. We've got to be good at what we do.

Over the last 15 years, the type of players we've had here, the fortune to be successful, we've had the bull's-eye. Now there's the added bull's-eye of a new league, being No. 1. They just pile up. That's exactly where you want to be. You want to be playing from the top. I hear guys say they like to be the underdog. But there's a reason you're the underdog. I'd like to be playing from the top any time I can.

I think it's the very charm of exactly what this tournament is about and I truly believe that. We played Gonzaga in 1999 and everybody in Phoenix was attached to them. That's a very natural thing.

I like the way they attack. I like (Will Brown) saying he expects to win. If he said anything else, I'd be disappointed. Someone said, isn't that bulletin board stuff? No, it's not. It's what a man does or a woman does when they're passionate about something. They truly believe they can do it. I like people who want to win. Obviously, they're coming off a great streak. We're not coming off exactly a disaster. We're 27-3.

He put it in perspective and told me exactly what happened to him. Jim took me through the scenario of what would happen. Jim has been in my life more than I realize. We're the two old-timers in the league, but we're also two friends.

When we have to play them again, we'll look at exactly what we did (Monday).

Jimmy put it in perspective and told me exactly what had happened to him, ... He encouraged me to get the best medical advice I could get. He took me through the scenario of what would happen.

I've watched him grow as a person, but he's still been able to maintain his wit, his optimism and that ever-ready smile. A lot of kids would have spit the bit at different times if they weren't starting. All he wants to really do is play and win and that's exactly what he's done. He's as comfortable in his skin as any kid I've ever had. I'm telling you right now ? and hopefully it will be five weeks, six weeks before it's the end of his career ? I will miss him for his personality, along with obviously his basketball game. He's a terrific kid.