SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 10, 2021

Hassan Diarra

Texas A&M Aggies

Postgame Press Conference

Vanderbilt 79, Texas A&M 68

THE MODERATOR: We have Hassan. We'll take questions.

Q. You came and gave the team a real lift, but it seemed like you guys were playing behind the whole evening.

HASSAN DIARRA: Yeah, I just wanted to go in there and just give my team energy. Energy was low at first. In the second half we came out, had to give us a spark, so I just did that.

Q. You made two big runs in the second half. You never did get the lead. Do you think it would have been different had you been able to take a lead in one of those runs?

HASSAN DIARRA: Yeah, it probably would have been different. But we can't start the game like that. We have to play better from the start, from the get-go, have energy from the get-go. That was the main issue.

Q. Why do you think you started so slowly?

HASSAN DIARRA: I'm not sure. I don't know.

Q. I know it's just fresh on your mind, but as you look back on the season with everything that you had to go through with COVID and ice storms and everything like that, what is your initial thought thinking back on the season, the challenges?

HASSAN DIARRA: Definitely grateful for the season. As a freshman, just taking it as one of the things I've learned this year, it's been a blessing to be part of this team. Playing with the seniors for their final time, Q, Savion, Marfo, it was a blessing playing with them. I'll always remember them. They'll always have a place in my heart for my freshman year.

Q. What was the biggest challenge to you this season?

HASSAN DIARRA: I would say just having consistency. You don't know whether you're going to play or not. I'd say that's the biggest challenge.

Q. Were you surprised at how you came out so slow after the way you played against Mississippi State and Arkansas?

HASSAN DIARRA: Yeah, I was definitely surprised. I feel like what we talked about, what we discussed, we was moving in the right direction with our energy, the way we were playing, but things happen out of our control.

Q. Obviously you being a freshman, where do you think this program is headed under Buzz?

HASSAN DIARRA: I think we're headed in the right direction, to be honest. We got a good group of young guys that's going to come back. We're ready to work. We've always wanted to be in the spotlight. We understand this season didn't go the way it should have.

But I feel like with good, young guys, we have a good, young core, we're going to be back, we're going to be at full strength.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.