Tommy Amaker Tournament Quotations

One of the real positives for us throughout the tournament so far is that we've been able to go 10 deep. We used different combinations, and different opportunities presented themselves.

They aren't as deep, but those kids that are out there know they are going to be out there. They're a very athletic team, long and rangy. I think they're a very confident team. They play with a great deal of confidence and you're able to see that. Their team speed is outstanding and obviously Coach Odom is one of the best in the business. They've been on a tear here down the stretch and they were on the verge of winning their conference tournament before coming up a little short. They've gone on the road to win some big-time games in this tournament, at Cincinnati and at Florida State . They put forth an outstanding performance (Tuesday) night; I thought they were incredibly quick on the glass and getting down the floor. They are a very confident group that seems to play well together.

I think it would be helpful that we anchor it for a period of time. We could build up some kind of brand loyalty and recognition for where our tournament is located.

Because we had the nucleus of our team win that tournament two years ago -- the juniors and seniors right now were freshmen and sophomores -- I worry about that being more of a negative than a positive. These kids have recognized that they've already done that.

As coaches, we have really felt wherever it lands to anchor it for a period of time, whether it's five or a few years beyond that. We felt that we can build up some kind of brand loyalty and recognition to where our tournament is located.

As coaches I think we have felt that wherever it lands it would be helpful to anchor it for a period of time, whether it's five or even a few years beyond that. I think we felt that we could build up some type of brand loyalty in a relation to where our tournament is.

I don't think one win or one loss puts you in or takes you out. I really don't believe it works that way. I think the thing that is helpful for us and healthy for us is to focus on what's in front of us. If we can somehow put together a terrific effort and win that first game, then I can say it doesn't hurt our chances for making the NCAA tournament field.

We're going to face a team that has played in the tournament and won in the tournament. That's one of the things that is concerning me.