The opportunity to lock up that No. 1 seed is coveted by so many teams in the conference. For us to do that this year under some of the circumstances and some of the obstacles we've dealt with is pretty amazing stuff.

There is no more coveted an opportunity for a programmer than to be responsible for a station launch. There is never more optimism, promise, or excitement than when you start fresh with a blank canvas,

When you're that No. 1 seed, teams are gunning for you, everybody wants to be that team to knock you off. For us, we get a chance to face the No. 1 team for a second time this year, so let's see what happens.

We feel we're deserving of a No. 1 seed, and we understand there's some great teams out there. I think we've improved in the area of toughness, and I think we've gotten a lot better defensively. It just seems like we're able to fight through adverse conditions on the court.

Most of the teams that have won here have played No. 18 very, very well.

I think going into State you'd like to be a conference champ and higher seed so you could have that easier first round game.