NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - NORFOLK ST. VS GONZAGA

March 20, 2021

Anton Watson

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Postgame Media Conference

Gonzaga 98, Norfolk State 55

THE MODERATOR: We have sophomore forward Anton Watson with us now. Anton, thanks for joining us and congratulations. We'll take questions.

Q. Coming off the bench, getting into the zone like you were, talk about where that mental state comes from. You're not in the starting five, yet you've got to be ready to roll at any time. What goes on in your head and heart when you just can't miss like that?

ANTON WATSON: Honestly, in the zone, that's, like, my favorite spot to play, is just in the middle because you basically have control of the whole game at that point. I'm right there.

They played zone a lot. I knew they were about to do so. I enjoyed that, looking for my shot, and being aggressive the whole time, so...

Q. You've had your ups and downs this season. How does it feel to show out on the biggest stage you've ever been on as a player?

ANTON WATSON: Yeah, it's really fun actually. I've been waiting for this moment as a little kid just to play on the big stage of March Madness. I've been dreaming about this since I was little.

To come out first game and do this, it just feels amazing. Just got to take it one game at a time.

Q. Obviously it was a really big night tonight for Corey as well. While he can do so many good things, one thing that stuck out to me is like after you came out at halftime, 20-point lead, he was out here on the court a couple minutes before, so ready to get back there. How have you emulated some of the little things that he's shown? How has the leadership skills passed along to the rest of the team?

ANTON WATSON: Corey is about the best leader you could have on your team. He does that every game. He just brings the energy, makes sure that we got the same energy. We played a 16 team, but he knew they were going to come out and fight early. He made sure we were all ready and prepared.

But, yeah, Corey is the best leader we could have, honestly.

Q. You're one of the few guys who are actually from the inside of Spokane. You were raised there. A lot of guys are from around the world. What does it mean to your hometown and state, represent your hometown and state like that?

ANTON WATSON: It means a lot, man. I got so much love, I got my family right down the street from the gym, all my friends cheering me on. Just to play for them. I got fans coming to every game, my family and stuff. So I'm just playing for them is the reason why I play, the reason why I chose this school.

But playing in Spokane, I love it. You see, like, greats like Adam Morrison, John Stockton. It's just cool to say I'm from Spokane.

Q. Tanner Groves from Eastern Washington scored 35 points today. You played kind of the same time in Spokane. Between his performance and what you were able to do on the floor today, what does that say? How does that speak to basketball in Spokane?

ANTON WATSON: Hey, man, they sleeping on Spokane hoopers (laughter). Been saying that.

No, him and his brother, they were cooking today. I watched that whole game. Just shows how many hoopers we got in Spokane. Me and him were battling in high school. So much respect to him.

Q. You said this was a dream come true. Obviously this is a team sport. What do you expect for yourself for the rest of this tournament?

ANTON WATSON: Just to bring the energy every single game, like I did today. Maybe I don't have the best night, but just keep playing, keep playing hard. I can't pass up this opportunity. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I'm giving it my all. My teammates are, too.

Q. You said playing in March Madness has been a dream of yours since you were a kid. Were there any nerves stepping out there? You looked pretty comfortable right from the start.

ANTON WATSON: I think I was just more excited. We haven't played in like a week. We were practicing for this. I've been waiting for this my whole life. I think I was just more excited. Nerves weren't really there today. But, yeah.

Q. This is very early, just one game in the tournament here, but the undefeated national championship kind of looms a little bit. If that sits in the back of your mind a little bit, how important that is to you?

ANTON WATSON: That would be great. But we got to take it one game at a time. We got Oklahoma in two days. I think that's what I'm focused on right now. But I think the main goal is to try to win it all. Being undefeated, that would be even better, so...

THE MODERATOR: Thanks so much for your time, Anton. Best of luck moving on against Oklahoma.

ANTON WATSON: Thank you.