ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 11, 2021

Reece Beekman

Virginia Cavaliers

Postgame Press Conference

Virginia 72, Syracuse 69

Q. On that final play, was that a case where you didn't even have time to think, you knew the clock was running down and you had to put it up? And if so, did that help at all?

REECE BEEKMAN: I guess it kind of helped, but just knowing that my teammates believed in me is what really helped. They kept saying the whole game, keep shooting, keep play making, just be yourself. A lot of the confidence there, just keep trying to make me confident, that really helped, too.

Q. What went through your mind right after it went in as you took off down the court and were mobbed by your team? Obviously excitement, but just kind of that moment. Can you describe what it feels like especially in your first ACC game?

REECE BEEKMAN: It's crazy. That was my first ever like game winner -- walk-off game winner. So just hitting one of those for my team, it meant a lot. It was a whole lot of excitement, just a lot of energy that just came over me. And a lot of joy. That's what I can say about that.

Q. With the ball being passed around a lot there at the end and the ball came to you, again, I guess you didn't have time to think, but what was rolling through your mind when you saw the ball coming to you?

REECE BEEKMAN: I was just thinking, it's a big shot. My coaches, everybody believed in me, so they wouldn't have me out there for no reason. So I just had to -- it was a big shot I had to make, and I had to step up.

Q. After missing your first five field goal attempts before that one, what do you say to yourself to keep yourself mentally focused and ready to know that if you're going to be the guy in this situation that you're going to make that last shot?

REECE BEEKMAN: Just keep going and keep staying confident. You can't hit every shot, so just had to play through the mistakes that I made, the turnovers that I had. So just staying focused and being ready to step up.

Q. Obviously you've got another game tomorrow. What are the keys to moving on and sort of putting this in the rear view while still trying to celebrate today, as well?

REECE BEEKMAN: You know, this is a big tournament for us and a big step for our team, so we've just got to take each game at a time and just try to get ready for the next one. Each game is going to be a dogfight for the rest of the season, so we've just got to be prepared, just be ready to play basketball.

Q. This has obviously been an incredibly emotional season -- I can't even imagine -- for you. Coach Bennett mentioned your mom being here at the game. What did that mean to have her here and to hit a shot like that with her in the stands?

REECE BEEKMAN: It meant a lot. She travels. She tries to be at every game I have. I know she works a lot, so just her being here meant a lot for me because she's supported me through and through since the beginning. So having her here meant a lot. Just to see her there in person meant a lot.

Q. You said you'd never hit a walk-off before. Before this game, what was the most impactful shot or memorable shot of your career, high school or here?

REECE BEEKMAN: I know my junior year in high school, we were playing a rival school, a big game, kind of sell-out. And we were down two and I hit a clutch lay-up to go to overtime. Other than that, that was probably my biggest shot I ever had.

Q. Is this the kind of moment you dream about when you're sitting at home?

REECE BEEKMAN: Yeah. Me and my teammates, we actually talked about the other day when we seen the Notre Dame shot. We were thinking what if you were in that situation. It was just crazy that it happened in the same tournament.

Q. I wanted to ask a quick defensive question. After Buddy scored the amount he did yesterday, was there anything you wanted to do specifically covering him today, and did you have to adjust at all when he got going a little bit there?

REECE BEEKMAN: Yeah, he's a great player, so we just tried to run him off his shot because he's a great shooter. But just doing what we usually do, zone ball, and the guys helping each other, and playing the defense that we know how to play. He got going today, he hit some tough shots, so we just tried to contest everything and stick to our regular defense.

Q. Kihei gave you the assist on the last shot and he had a really good game driving in the paint and scoring. What can you say about his impact on the team?

REECE BEEKMAN: He means a lot, just to the team and to me personally, just as a point guard. I learned so much from him.