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

March 16, 2022

Adam Flagler

Flo Thamba

Dale Bonner

Dickies Arena

Baylor Bears

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We welcome the student-athletes from Baylor University. Please be sure all your cell phones are silenced. This is a hybrid news conference; so we'll start with questions in the room. If there are questions on the ZOOM, please raise your hands, and we'll answer your questions once they're exhausted here in Fort Worth. No video recording is allowed other than that with our official crew in the back. When you ask your first question, please identify yourself and your affiliation.

We'll get started with questions for the student-athletes right in front.

Q. This is for Adam. How's the break been since the Big 12 tournament? And what do you guys feel like y'all need to do right now, as far as team-wise?

ADAM FLAGLER: The break's been really good. Just really focusing on attention to detail. We are a really good defensive team. But the past two games, with Iowa State, as well as Oklahoma, we've been kind of lax. Just kind of pinpointing on that and focusing on that and just having each other's back and being connected out there. That's what we been working on. So we're excited to show that we're still one of the best teams in the country.

Q. Got a question for Adam. Adam, how would you describe your basketball journey from the time you first picked up a basketball to now before this March Madness opener?

ADAM FLAGLER: My journey has been crazy, to be honest. From not really being able to play on the bigger AAU teams, the AAU circuits. I really played under my dad growing up. A lot of teams when I started to play and blow up a little bit more, they kind of wanted me to play for them. But my dad kind of secured me, in the sense of just continued to coach me. My last year, I played for an AAU team, a Ds horizon team, and a Stackhouse elite.

But I wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school, didn't have a Division I offer, other than at the end with Presbyterian College.

So it's a dream come true to play to be able to play with these guys in March Madness. Last year, we were able to win the National Championship. So just to be able to go and be a part of this journey again and strive for that is amazing. So I'm the glad to be here.

THE MODERATOR: Middle to the right.

Q. Can you tell us about your experience and knowing what those mid-major college basketball conferences are like when you go into a game like this against a really good mid-major Norfolk State?

ADAM FLAGLER: Oh, yeah. I definitely have a lot of experience with that. Us being -- when I used to play with Presbyterian, we were a really good mid-major. And knowing how competitive, knowing how much of an edge mid-major teams have is definitely helpful being a leader that I can communicate and just know that we're all going to be on the same page and know exactly how important this game is for Norfolk State, but for us as well.

Q. This question is for Flo. I know, Flo, that you've been asked about the increase in your time on the floor with the injury to Jonathan. But just how have you had to pace yourself pretty much since that first Texas game to where you are now so you can be as productive as possible?

FLO THAMBA: I mean, for me, there's no pressure at all. I mean, my teammates and my coaches give me the utmost confidence. And they just, basically, say, Flo, take your time with it.

And what helps me the most, they'll always throw me in, like, crazy situations. But just having wild practicing, having my teammates to help me with certain situations and stuff, you know, keeps me afloat.

THE MODERATOR: Second row on the right.

Q. Adam and Flo, how do you guys draw on last year's Hartford game in the first round of how you guys approach playing when you are a one seed, even if there is a slow start against a team that's coming out, driven, trying to become that second 16 seed to pull that upset?

THE MODERATOR: Adam first, and then Flo.

ADAM FLAGLER: Just kind of thinking back last year, definitely we were able to pull away. But it was definitely a first game. And always the first game is, in any tournament, in any start of the season, this is a new season for all of us; so it's going to be the toughest game, in my opinion. Coming out there, knowing it's win or go home, it fuels us. So we're just excited to be able to go out there and win this first game.

THE MODERATOR: Flo, go ahead.

FLO THAMBA: I mean, just the utmost respect for Norfolk. Just when I looked at their history, they've been very much dominant in their conference for the last 9 to 10 years.

And with that aspect, we take every game seriously, regardless of who we play. And I just feel like tomorrow is going be a good competition out there.

THE MODERATOR: Third row on the left.

Q. Hey, guys. From an overall perspective, what is it -- for all you guys, by the way -- what is the biggest advantage you can take from the experience of winning the title last year, and what is the biggest challenge you've learned with having that target on your back from being the defending champs this year?

THE MODERATOR: Flo, you can get us started with that.

FLO THAMBA: I mean, as far as having a target on our back, that was something we kind of struggled with at the beginning. You know, that was something that we kind of struggled with at the beginning. There was kind of a lot of pressure, especially with that first game, that initial first game.

But ever since then, we're just focusing on ourselves and just being the best version of ourselves. And, I mean, it seems to be working out; so we're grateful for that.

THE MODERATOR: Dale.

DALE BONNER: I wasn't on the team last year, but I would say just having the target on our back, every team we play wants to beat us. And they're going to give us, like, their Super Bowl game. So they're going to give us their best every game. So we just got to come play hard every game.

I don't know. I just say every team gives us their best games. We've got to come and play and play hard, just like any other team we've played.

THE MODERATOR: Adam.

ADAM FLAGLER: Just going back to just the journey of being able to play, being down at halftime against Villanova, Wisconsin, those games, you know, being able to have those opportunities and ability to just learn from those mistakes in the sense of even though we won, we had a lot to improve on. So being able to remember that, as well as having the same coaching staff is a huge blessing. So we have a lot of veteran guys that's come back.

And I personally feel like a lot of the world doesn't really expect us to go far. So it was similar, in my opinion, last year, as well.

So it's an exciting opportunity for us to go out there and just bond as brothers and really just focus on ourselves.

THE MODERATOR: Third row on the right.

Q. Dale, I was just wondering, what kind of advice you've gotten from Adam and the rest of your teammates about this run. Because you're one of the few guys that wasn't on this team last year?

DALE BONNER: I would just say from my teammates that were in this position last year, they just tell me to play with confidence, play hard and just believe in myself and try and stick together. And that's all that we've been trying to do.

THE MODERATOR: Back in the front to the right first.

Q. This is for Adam. Just talk about how hard it's been to play through all the injuries this year that the team's had. And what kind of impact your two freshmen have had for you this year?

ADAM FLAGLER: Yeah. The injuries have been crazy, to be honest. None of us ever expected for it to be like this. But the perseverance that we have as a team, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ really just molding us together and continuing to uplift us has been an amazing opportunity.

And our freshmen, we don't really consider them freshmen, to be honest. The growth, the determination, the coachability that they have has really just been pivotal in how they've been winning. And they just have a lot to show and improve once we got out there. So...

Q. Flo, it looks like they have pretty decent size upfront. Can you just talk a little bit about what their big guys bring?

FLO THAMBA: I've been looking at film, and their big guys seem very athletic, kind of dunks every day, which is really good. But, I mean, every game I go in with a mindset of, like, I'm going to try to be the toughest big out there and be the hardest playing big out there for my team. And, obviously, that's doing stuff that won't necessarily come on the stat sheets, besides, of course, rebounding.

But, like, just getting my teammates open shots and open looks. Just the best way to benefit my team to win this game. So...

THE MODERATOR: Middle on the right.

Q. Dale, what's it kind of like to take this all in, you know, coming up from the D2 level and having this be your first experience in D1 March Madness?

DALE BONNER: You know, it's definitely been exciting. The job's not finished. We've got games to play. So just locked in and excited at the same time.

THE MODERATOR: We have one on the back left.

Q. This is a question for Adam. You know, when you came to Baylor, did you envision the level of personal success that you've had, and the level of team success when you came here?

ADAM FLAGLER: Definitely believed the level of team success. Coming here, I knew that I was going to be challenged and be able to play against the best, you know, guards in the country. You know, with Davion and Jarrett being out, and then we got Dale and James, LJ and Langston, all those guys. So, you know, I definitely believed in myself. I had to step outside of my comfort zone to just even be able to be here.

So the team's success with the National Championship was definitely a surprise. I don't think any of us would have imagined, like, just being in those moments. But, yeah, the personal, I definitely had to believe in myself. And I definitely felt that I could accomplish anything that I wanted. So...

THE MODERATOR: Back in the middle on the right.

Q. Flo, going back to something you talked about, you know, after the selection Sunday, your mom being able to watch you play college basketball for the first time, what's the excitement that kind of goes into that and kind of what are your emotions surrounding that?

FLO THAMBA: I mean, there's a lot of emotions that go into it a little bit. I mean, if anybody knows my story, I kind of picked up the basketball at 11, played a little bit. Started playing competitive basketball probably around, like, 14, 15, you know, into it. And, I mean, for my parents, my family, basketball was just something I did for fun. They never really, like, knew the whole seriousness of it until I came to the States. And I was, like, I'm going to college. They were, like, okay, have fun. Play basketball in college.

But just having an opportunity to just for them to be in the stands and actually seeing me play for the first time is something I'm looking forward to. A lot of kids sometimes take it for granted for their parents to be there, supportive. But for me, it's been a journey for myself for the longest time. So for them to be there on the biggest stage, I'm kind of looking forward to being that.

Q. You talked about her being there also the last time she watched you was on Senior Day, right, in high school?

FLO THAMBA: Yeah.

Q. What kind of numbers did you put up in that game?

FLO THAMBA: I only had a double-double. I think it was 13 points and 11 rebounds or so. Hopefully it can be repeated, am I right? (laughing). But, yeah, just definitely looking forward to it.

Q. Again, guys for any of you: Coach Drew has, obviously, had a lot of success in his entire tenure. Back-to-back titles is really rare, though. What can you say about this opportunity and what he's been building here, and even if you can imagine, the next level it can be taken to?

THE MODERATOR: Adam, go ahead.

ADAM FLAGLER: You know, we talk about just this little slogan, what's impossible by man is possible with God. You know, so, at the end of the day, it's definitely going to be difficult. But we have a -- we definitely have a group of men that are really excited and want to play for each other and play selfless out there.

So I don't know if anybody even remembered, but Jared talked about leaving a legacy, and we are just a part of this legacy, and we want to continue to build on that. So being able to be a part of this run is going to be amazing, and we're excited.

THE MODERATOR: Dale? Even though you weren't part of the first one, do you want to talk about being in the second part of the back-to-back? No?

Okay, Flo. Go ahead.

FLO THAMBA: Coach Drew is a great coach, but most importantly is a great person. Just his focus on the type of guys we are off the court, it's very huge. And that also just talks about how that's one of the main reasons why I decided to come to Baylor, the intuition of helping me grow as a man.

As far as the basketball aspect goes, he's a -- he very nurturing coach, who pretty much values our talents and ability to do stuff. And it's important for us to understand on the players' side of things.

But just overall, like Adam said, it's just all about making this legacy. Because Coach Drew is always big upon, like, hey, you leave a legacy, and people are going to talk about it when you're 50, 60 70 years old. And we're just trying to be a part of that legacy.

THE MODERATOR: Anything else for the players? Okay.

Men, thank you very much. Good luck tomorrow.