NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - OKLAHOMA VS GONZAGA

March 22, 2021

Drew Timme

Hinkle Fieldhouse

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Postgame Media Conference

Gonzaga 87, Oklahoma 71

THE MODERATOR: Drew, did you want to give us some opening comments about today's game.

DREW TIMME: Man, it feels good to go to the Sweet 16.

Q. I just want to know if you guys had paid attention at all to kind of the crazy upsets going on around the tournament and if that affected maybe your mental preparation or anything like that for this game?

DREW TIMME: No, we've definitely seen the games going on, but it's March and anything can happen. We're treating this game like we're a 16 seed and we're the underdog. You've got to bring that fire because all it takes is one good game and you can be out, so we're bringing our all every single game.

Q. Drew, you set a career high tonight both with the 12 made free throws and the 14 attempted free throws. Is that part of a strategy of trying to get some easy points by getting to the line more? Is that the way the game flowed or something else?

DREW TIMME: You know, my percentage is something that is unacceptable to me and I hold myself to a high standard, so I've been repping it out every single day, and it's something that I've been actively trying to work on. I'm just glad that the work is paying off, especially in a close game like that. I felt like that was a big part of the game.

I'm just so happy that the work paid off.

Q. Drew, you guys have about a week off here in Indy now after moving on to the Sweet 16. How have you been handling the bubble life and is there anything you do in particular to pass the time?

DREW TIMME: You know, we're excited, and we're grateful to be here. Last year we didn't get a tournament, so we're taking all the precautions and safety protocols seriously, but we still play a lot of Xbox. That's one way we can all hang out and interact with each other while distancing and it's something we like to do. The great thing about March is it seems like there's a game at every hour of the day, so we've got our hands full with all that.

It's not ideal, but we're grateful we're here, and we are excited that we get to stay another week.

Q. Is there any go-to game you guys play?

DREW TIMME: FIFA, Call of Duty, kind of the basics.

Q. Drew, you obviously had a big day today, but another one of your teammates had also a big day and has been showing up in big moments for you guys, Anton Watson, especially towards the end of the game he got the jump ball, got his hands in there, got the possession when Oklahoma was making a little bit of a run. Talk about how important he's been for you guys the first two games so far.

DREW TIMME: In my very first interview this year I told everyone, Anton Watson is one of the best players on this team, and he's just continued to work hard. He's been big for us all year. He doesn't get half the credit he deserves just from the impact he has on this team offensively and defensively. He's really come into his own, and it's something that we really need, and it's been so helpful. It's been great.

Q. Drew, you just mentioned at the beginning of the presser, we're going to the Sweet 16. How does it feel for you to be having -- I think this is your biggest game ever on the biggest stage. How does that feel to show up in this moment?

DREW TIMME: I mean, it's great. Obviously it's a childhood dream. This feeling is only going to last the rest of the night and then we've got to prepare and a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of things we can work on. We're not satisfied with this. This is not the end goal. We're excited for the next challenge that presents itself.

Q. Drew, Coach Few said the other day that he could see a remarkable difference in the hearts, minds of the team because of all the people you have around you, family, friends. Tell me on the record what difference that makes you make you guys feel at home?

DREW TIMME: I don't even know how to describe it. My family and everyone's family, like they're just our rock. They keep us grounded, looking up, and when things aren't going well you see your family up there and other people's family. It's very heartwarming and it helps keep us cool.

We haven't been able to see them this year that much because of COVID and no traveling and no fans at games, so it's just so amazing that they're able to be here and we get to see them for the games. We're truly grateful for it.