Steve Alford Great Quotations

I got to work for some great administrators at great institutions, and I had an opportunity to coach great players. Iowa is no different.

He's a load in the paint, and I think he's a big key to their team. He's great with either hand, and they really like to get it inside to him.

I thought our leadership was tremendous. At the start of the game it was very good, and at the start of the second half it was very good. It's a great way to start a tournament.

I think we are a better defending team. I still think we have a long way to go and we have done a lot of improvement in that area. That is exciting because I think we have done a pretty good job through 17 games. All-in-all it has been a great team effort in the defensive end.

That's what I appreciate the most about our guys. They've really got great resiliency and resolve about them. They know how to respond after a tough setback.

Tyler will have an immediate impact on our team next season. He is a very talented player, but also a great person, and that is something we always look for in recruiting.

There have been a lot of great teams who have played on this floor. None have gone undefeated.

We did a great job on the boards,

Fans will see intense basketball and competitive games. It will be a great prelude to what will happen in the national tournament.

You've got two guys that have probably done more for Illinois basketball than anybody in the history of the program. That says a lot, because there have been some great players here.

A lot of great teams have played on this floor, but none has gone undefeated. This is a very special group of seniors. Their legacy will go far beyond this year.

It's been a great team effort. Our shooting is getting better, which hopefully will put a little bit less stress on our defense.

It was a great journey this year. It's hard for the seniors that their last game had to be like this.

This is a great start. They (players) have earned it. But there is a lot that can happen in February. We've got to make sure we stay healthy and keep getting better.

This is a great prep game for us going into the game at Wisconsin.