NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: REGIONAL FINAL: UCLA VS MICHIGAN

March 30, 2021

Johnny Juzang

Lucas Oil Stadium - Unity Court (South)

UCLA Bruins

Elite 8 Postgame Media Conference

UCLA - 51, Michigan - 49

Q. I just want to know, after that performance, you were hitting tough shot after tough shot in the first half. Was there something different before the game in your mentality or confidence that allowed you to have this performance?

JOHNNY JUZANG: Not really, actually. Just approached it like another game. We've been super locked-in to this tournament. You don't want to -- as a player, you don't like add pressure to yourself. I know the whole team was just worried about we're going to leave it out there on the floor and we're going to give it everything we've got. I mean, the shot just happened to go in and teammates are finding me. I wouldn't say anything different.

Q. What is that moment like getting on the court with this team after everything it been through to get to this moment? What was the celebration like?

JOHNNY JUZANG: Unreal, man. Unreal. I love every single one of these guys. It's incredible, man. Surreal. Surreal. Something, you know, growing up, you just dream about. And to do it with such an amazing group of guys, such incredible staff, such incredible coaches, makes it just so wonderful. It's beautiful. It's beautiful sharing this moment with, you know, your brothers and just great, great people. Incredible.

Q. Transferring in from Kentucky and not knowing what this team was about, and now you're in the Final Four. What are your thoughts about the team to this point?

JOHNNY JUZANG: First, the transition, I was welcomed with warm, open arms, man. So I was just welcomed to this team from day one. So you know, it's been amazing.

And then, you know, just working with these guys and learning and growing all together, and just being pushed, obviously we've had our ups and downs during the season, but it's such a beautiful thing, you know, the way that we have come together for this postseason. And just to -- it's just a feeling of everybody's just so unified. It's like one, just, unit, and we're just all sharing in each other and rooting for each other. I mean, I think that's why we're at this point and just playing for each other. Just a lot of love, man.

We're not done yet. But you know, so far, it's been beautiful, the ups and downs, and that makes moments like this even more special. Even more special.

Q. When you were thinking of going back home and playing for Mick, how worried were you about his reputation of being a defensive-minded coach? You're a guy that likes to score the ball. Did that get in the way for a minute of, hey, I'm not sure I want to play for him because of his reputation?

JOHNNY JUZANG: Not all, man. First, there's just something inexplainable. I just felt something about Coach, just such a genuine guy, and it was first -- something it was just intuition and I just felt it. I felt that he was just genuine, so that was the first thing. His reputation, I had no second thoughts.

It is also what drew -- I knew that he was hard. I knew that he was intense. I knew that he was defensive-minded, and those are things that drew me, I wanted that. I wanted to be pushed.

On top of the first thing I said, it drew me to him. I knew that he would push me and hold me accountable and challenge me, and I knew he -- and I wanted to play for a program where obviously he does that for everybody. So you know, I want to be part of a winning program with, you know, winning standards, and, you know, a level of accountability to win games.

So I actually would just say it's the opposite, man, it really drew me to play for Coach. Obviously it's been incredible.

Q. I'm wondering if you could speak to the defense against Franz, No. 21, in particular tonight. He had a rough game shooting. If you can speak to what you guys did to limit him.

JOHNNY JUZANG: Well, you know, the coaches do such a great job with our scouting reports and game preparation. All we've got to do is go out there and execute.

But the plan, we knew he was a strong right-hand driver. We had some of their plays and actions kind of scouted out. You know, guys went out and executed great. Tried to take away those things and slow him down.

But you know, they are a great team. You know, so credit to them. They got some really good players, and so yeah, but our coaches did a great job with the scouting. We just had to go execute.

Q. You and Jaime are doing very well together, we love that blend and we love your background coming out of Harvard, Wolverine. Can you speak to that, some of the supporters, friends and family, from places you know here in Los Angeles?

JOHNNY JUZANG: Yeah, man, I don't want to leave anybody out. Obviously, first and foremost, my family. My girlfriend. My family's been out here obviously my whole life but they have been out here supporting me and that's been so wonderful. My girlfriend is so supportive and she pushes me, and all my friends. They all know who they are, man. And then obviously, you mentioned Harvard-Westlake, Coach Rebibo, and my trainer, Dash.

I don't want to leave everybody out but everybody knows who they are, man. I'm so grateful to have the people I do in my life and so obviously I'd be nothing without them. I'm just super lucky to have so much support in my life, and everybody knows who they are. So you know who you are. I'm sorry, you know, if I didn't hit on it but I'm just kind of in the moment right now.

Blessed to have so much great support.

Q. When you went out with that injury, did you have to talk anyone into letting you back into the game, and how important did you feel it was for you to get back out on the court and close things out?

JOHNNY JUZANG: No, I didn't have to talk to anybody. I just stepped off and got some treatment and got some heavier tape. I knew I was going to be ready. I just needed a second to, you know, get it taken care of. But you know, the adrenaline and -- I'll feel it tonight -- but the adrenaline, I wasn't really too worried about it. I felt it, but you I knew I would be back -- I didn't have to talk to anybody. So once I was ready; my coaches believe in me and I'm so lucky for that. So I was able to get right back in there and contribute.

Q. How important did you feel in the moment it was for you to get back out there personally and kind of close things out considering you had such a big first half and I'm sure you want to be out there to help carry the team to the Final Four?

JOHNNY JUZANG: For sure, man, it's March Madness. I was trying to get out there as quick as I can to help my brothers. So you know, I was over there, you know, I kind of just looked back at the floor checking on what's going on, and our trainer did such a great job. You know, he took care of me and he got me right out there really quick.

But no, I definitely was, you know, trying to get out there as quick as I could. You know, so we got some lion-hearted guys on this team. We got some warriors, man. It kind of -- it kind of, you know, checks everybody because the guy to your right is putting his heart on the floor and the guy to your left is putting his heart on the floor. I know I've got an injury or whatever, but I'm getting right back out there because I'm trying to leave my heart on the floor. Just kind of that spirit with the team. You know, everybody's trying to do it, so I did feel, obviously, trying to get out there and fight with my brothers.