BIG 12 CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 10, 2021

Solomon Young

Iowa State Cyclones

Postgame Press Conference

Oklahoma, 79 - Iowa State, 73

Q. Solomon, now that it's over, what are your thoughts on the season as a whole?

SOLOMON YOUNG: I mean, it was a rough season. It's not a season anybody wanted, but, yeah, I mean, I just hope next year all the young guys can, you know, learn from this year and grow their game and come together for a better year next year.

Q. What was Steve's message to you guys after the game?

SOLOMON YOUNG: I mean, I don't know, just -- I mean, honestly, I wasn't really listening. I was kind of in my own head. It's hard for anybody to go through. It takes a lot of -- I forgot the word he used. I forgot the word, but obviously just you got to be strong mentally and persevere, and win or loss doesn't define you as a player or a person. It's just how you respond.

Q. Obviously you have been in this program a long time. What were you thinking about when you say you were in your head? I imagine you were thinking about the last five years.

SOLOMON YOUNG: Yeah, I was just thinking about the game. Just anything I could have did to propel us to the win, anything we could have did as a group to do better.

I mean, that's just kind of like how I think as a player. Just if I could have done better to help get the win.

Q. Iowa State basketball has been built on four-year guys. What's happened that guys just don't stick around for four years anymore? I'm not talking about going to the pros either. I'm talking about coming and getting in the transfer portal. What's going on there, do you think?

SOLOMON YOUNG: I mean, obviously, you know, everybody is in different situations. I mean, I think partly it's because maybe like new guys coming in come in, you know, with too big of an ego, because obviously you're the best player in high school and you get to college and you're not the best player anymore and you got to work your way back up the ladder.

And I don't know, maybe just the new generation doesn't really have, I don't know, like the same mentality. I can't speak on everybody's situation. It could be totally different situation than that.