When I'm out there people say I'm not a scorer. I still have it in me. But we have a whole group of people that can score. I've got to do the things that sort of make us a championship team, diving for loose balls, using my size under the basket. That's what I have to do.

If that's the case, then that's fine. If they want to get up in us, fine, more power to them. We'll be ready.

I can't kid myself. I'm looking forward to the Big East and to LSU. But we have to stay focused. We can't skip a team we're playing. We just have to go game by game, prepare ourselves and be ready.

It was on Government Island, which is now Alameda, when they held the (1940) World's Fair.

I want to play against tough teams and tough opponents. That gets you going. I'm very excited for the heat of the schedule coming up. I know my teammates are excited, too.

Marcus is such a good player and he contributes a lot. He's had the attitude in practice that he's going to help us. He's been real good. He's had an upbeat attitude. I think all of us as a team are looking forward to him coming back. He knows what's coming (on the road). Marcus is the type that he'll use that to his advantage. He just has to block that out and play his game.