NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - OHIO VS CREIGHTON

March 22, 2021

Marcus Zegarowski

Hinkle Fieldhouse

Creighton Bluejays

Postgame Media Conference

Creighton - 72, Ohio - 58

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the NCAA March Madness post-game press conference featuring Creighton. We're joined now by Marcus Zegarowski. Marcus, we have several questions for you.

Q. Marcus, big run at the end of the first half there, 20-4. What was going on there? Why were you guys so successful?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: You know, I just think we found our rhythm offensively and started getting stops. Once we get stops and get out in transition, we're tough to guard. That's what we have to do moving forward.

Q. I guess with the change of pace tonight off the dribble, keeping it alive and kind of surveying the defense and getting inside and outside, did you feel like that was dictated by what Ohio was showing you defensively? Were you just trying to keep the ball alive as long as possible to see if you have windows to score or facilitate?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: You know, with the ball screen coverages, it was either going to be a red, which is like the big men kind of shows, like takes two steps down and goes back to the big, and my mankind of goes under him. Or they do drop coverage, and most of the time it was drop coverage. Those two-pointers were there. I probably missed all the easy ones.

Yeah, that was it. I was just trying to read it, trying to get a flip up or a throw back, but, yeah, it was more of a drop coverage, and that made me keep my dribble alive, and yeah.

Q. Marcus, congratulations. Have you thought about the magnitude of this achievement, bringing Sweet 16 trip to Creighton, and how does it feel to achieve one of your goals?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: Yeah. It's a phenomenal feeling. We worked -- this is a two-year kind of thing for us. We got it taken away from us last year, and everything we've been through this year is for moments like this, and I'm happy we capitalized and came through.

But you know, we're not done yet. This is just the start, and we look forward to our next matchup with Gonzaga.

Q. Marcus, to that point about accomplishing that goal, getting in the second weekend, you have more left to do. You're the one that's steering this ship right now. Can you take us through your mentality?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: My mentality is you don't expect to win. That's who I am. I'm always going to expect to win. I don't care who I play. I know they're a great team. I know they have no weaknesses. I know they haven't lost, but that doesn't change my mentality. I'm going in telling my guys, they've still got to play us. Obviously, that don't take nothing away from them. They're a great team. They dominate teams. We have to have a really good game plan and really execute that. I look forward to those practices coming up.

Q. Marcus, what do you think a win like this can do for the national reputation of this program moving forward?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: I think it brings more light to it. I already think Creighton is a great school to come to.

It's awesome. And just continuing to win games, especially this time of year, is only going to help this program out, and I'm happy to be a part of that.

Q. Marcus, I mean, it just looked like you guys had a certain, I don't know, spark to you. It always helps to make shots, I'm sure, but like just the energy that you had, did you feel a little bit different tonight or as the game was rolling that maybe you could -- that you guys felt like you had a rhythm going?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: Yeah, I think the first game of this tournament, it felt like we were almost on our heels a little bit, like maybe a step too slow. We were kind of in our own heads, including myself. I was pretty nervous. That was my first March Madness game.

Getting that one over with and getting on to the next one, I just think we play better when we play free and we just play loose and just try to enjoy it and enjoy each other, and that's what we've got to do.

Q. Marcus, I believe the only game of your career where you guys allowed a hundred points in regulation was to Gonzaga back in your freshman year. I know the rosters have changed a lot, but what are your memories of their 62-point second half that night, and do you guys feel like you'll have to a play a perfect or near perfect game to beat them?

MARCUS ZEGAROWSKI: I do remember that game. We were up in the second half. To beat them, we have to play really, really well for 40 minutes. We can't have spurts where we take a bad shot or miss an assignment. We have to on our -- we have to be. They're a great team, and like I said, they don't have any weaknesses. So for us to mess up on a game plan on defense or take a bad shot on offense is only going to help them out.

I'm still confident. I feel ready. We'll be ready.

THE MODERATOR: Marcus, congratulations. Best of luck in the next round.