Tom Penders Beat Quotations

Rather than get giddy after beating LSU, which is an unbelievably talented team, the guys immediately turned their focus on Arizona and that final score wasn't indicative of the margin of that game. This is best defensive team I've ever had. They really get after it. These are very athletic, quick long-armed kids who pressure all over.

We have to look at this as a payback game. They came into our house ? and granted, it was an empty house ? and beat us. Maybe I'll go down there and rent some fans.

Everybody points to us every game. They know it's a big win if they beat us.

That (shot by Henderson) hurt. We played great defense, and then he just kind of flung it up there to beat the shot clock.

We just kept coming up empty and empty and empty. You can't beat good teams when you shoot 25 percent. To beat a great team like Memphis, you have to shoot at least 40 (percent) and play great defense.

We should be playing our best ball in February. We have to go out and focus on each game. We can't look ahead ? we can beat absolutely anybody and we can lose to absolutely anybody.

If anybody saw (the Memphis game) and knows we've beaten Arizona and LSU, if they don't think we're a tournament team, then they don't know basketball. I've taken worse teams than this to the Sweet 16. I don't think I have to lobby for it.