At the end of the season here, we know we played three straight NCAA Tournament teams in fairly hostile environments. If that doesn't help you get ready, I don't know what does.

When you have Dee Brown and James Augustine, two guys who have been through so much a post and a point. There's a lot of coaches who firmly believe that ... in basketball, if you have a post and a point you can compete on that day with anybody.

You've got to remember what was being said about them in November, December, and into January. What's changed? OK, now what's happened is the coach is stepping down. But they can play. They can make shots. They've got one of the best big men in the country. What don't they have?

I like the way our guys are executing. Then sometimes if somebody is quicker, bigger, stronger, eventually they'll wear you down and they'll impose their will, especially on the road.

That's what college does for people when given the opportunity, ... We've watched him grow into manhood right in front of our eyes. He has enveloped the knowledge, the experience and is a better person who can give more back than anybody I've ever coached. He has grown in so many ways beyond how he plays the game.

The best thing to do is try and make sure you're getting something at your end. We had stretches where we didn't get that.