NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - VIRGINIA TECH VS TEXAS

March 17, 2022

Timmy Allen

Christian Bishop

Marcus Carr

Andrew Jones

Courtney Ramey

Chris Beard

Fiserv Forum

Texas Longhorns

Media Conference

MODERATOR: Joined now by Texas student-athletes Timmy Allen, Andrew Jones, Marcus Carr, Courtney Ramey, and Christian Bishop. Thanks for joining us, and we'll take questions, please.

Q. I guess I'll go with Courtney and Timmy and let everybody else answer. Both you guys have had different journeys to get here, and I know everybody has an opinion on this, but what does it feel like to walk out there, see the logos, see the court, and know that you're back here, and for Timmy, that you're here?

CHRISTIAN BISHOP: I'll let Timmy go first.

TIMMY ALLEN: It's fun. I'm just excited to be here. I'm just blessed to be in this position with these guys. It's been a really fun year, so we're just looking to keep having fun down the stretch, play some ball.

COURTNEY RAMEY: It's good to be back here having another opportunity to play a good team tomorrow, and it's just good to experience it with Marcus, Timmy in their first NCAA appearance.

MODERATOR: If we could have Andrew, then Marcus and Christian weigh in, please.

ANDREW JONES: This is a great opportunity for us right now. This is the moment we dreamed of. This is the moment that we prepared for when we decided to come back to school and play together. So I look forward to actually doing what we wanted to do to get this team together.

MARCUS CARR: Yeah, for me, it's exciting. It's the reason I came here to play with these guys on this stage and really just looking forward to it.

CHRISTIAN BISHOP: Yeah, it's the reason why we all do it, for March.

Q. Courtney -- or, I guess, Andrew, and then Courtney and Marcus, Virginia Tech, they shoot a lot of 3s and shoot at a high percentage. Does that remind you of anybody you guys have played this year, and what makes it so challenging to defend them at the 3-point line?

COURTNEY RAMEY: They're a good team. Like any other team in this tournament, I think every team in this tournament is good. They have identity. And I just think every game's going to be challenging, so we got to look at it like that, and we just have to prepare the right way.

ANDREW JONES: Like Courtney said, they're a really good team. We prepared for this throughout the entire season, so we have to go out there and give our best effort.

Q. Andrew and Courtney, I'm just wondering: How much have you-all used the way last season ended, the tournament loss to Abilene? Is that motivation for you? Is that something you think about, or is this team so totally different from last year, new coach, a lot of changes to the nucleus, that it's just totally separate?

ANDREW JONES: Like you said, this is a new team, new situation, so we can't dwell on the past. We've got a new coaching staff, entirely new team, so we're just focused on this moment right now.

Q. It's an interesting way to go about it, that Chris has gone about it by starting the year basically saying we're going to play our best basketball in March. That's what our focus is going to be on. For Andrew and Courtney, was Shaka like that all? Do you remember him only talking -- not only, but talking so much about March? And for Marcus, just that kind of mentality of right now is it. This is what we're trying to do.

COURTNEY RAMEY: I think they're two good coaches. I think they went about things differently, but their main goal was to win in March. That's every coach's goal is to win in March, I think that's where they're similar. I'll let Andrew answer the rest.

ANDREW JONES: Just like Courtney said, two different cultures, two different philosophies on how they go about the season and how they want us to play. So the main goal was to win championships. That was the most common goal between both coaches. And now we're here, and we have the opportunity. Just need to go out and play our best game just like every other game.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: Kind of what they're saying. Even with the coaches I've played for in the past, no coach is coaching to lose, and no coach isn't coaching to get to this point here in March. That's always been the end goal. Like they said, each coach has a different philosophy, a different way they speak so their teams. But we knew this was a huge goal for us and what we wanted to do, so feel like that's why the emphasis was there.

Q. Andrew, what was your reaction when the Basketball Writers Association awarded you the most courageous, and how meaningful is that award?

ANDREW JONES: It was truly unexpected. Going into the season when I'm playing, I'm not necessarily looking for accolades or awards. I just do things out of the kindness of my heart. And that award I received, it means a lot to me because it's just a background in history of who started the award and what it stands for and what it means, and it just gives me insight to continue doing what I'm doing.

Q. Timmy, Christian, and Marcus, those two guys on the end are the RROGs. They walked these UT streets for years, and last year sucked for them. How great is it to be back and with a chance to send them out, if they decide to not come back, with a good tourney run this year?

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: It's great to have those guys on our team. They have a lot of experience, and they've been here before, and they can tell us the feel of the game and how things go about in the tournament. For someone that's new, that's big. Same with Christian. He has a lot of experience in this tournament, too, so that's big for me personally and others on the team.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: I think that's going to benefit us a lot, and we've just got to play as a collective unit and be able to send these guys out right.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: Playing with these guys and just being with them since the summer has been a pleasure. From them showing me the ropes to just getting out there and competing with them has been special. I've seen them play, Courtney, both of them since we was younger, kind of my other games from afar, so the chance to be on the court with them and -- looking to continue do that.

Q. For whoever wants to answer it, what has made that Texas defense so darn good this year?

COURTNEY RAMEY: I think, since day one, Coach Beard wanted our defense to be one of the best defenses in the country. And we know that's what's going to make our team stand out in March, playing good defense, and we want to carry it over until now. I think we can do a good job of that. What we did throughout the season can help us, especially now.

ANDREW JONES: I think we sacrificed a lot of our individual games to take on the personality of our head coach -- defensive-minded coach to go out there and give our best effort defensively and let that translate into our offense. So I think we really bought into being an aggressive style, something that most of us aren't used to, and it started to pay off for us.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: Just what both those guys said. Coach came in, and we kind of trusted him, knew his track record, knew that he won, and that's the way that he won. So us coming in here, we bought into that, becoming a defensive team. And defense kind of carries you. It travels. So we're looking to bring that here into March.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: You know, going off of what Marcus was saying, offense can't be there every single game, so defense always travels. And that's the mentality we had to take as a unit and just try to make that as our identity as a team.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: It definitely started with Coach Beard. We just had to buy into that system. And it's a defensive one, like Marcus said. So we're just trying to do that to the best of our ability and carry our game with defense.

Q. Courtney, I didn't get a chance to ask you this on Monday, but it was hard to miss you giving the TV some side eye when you saw Virginia Tech's name come up. What was your first thought of that knowing they just won the ACC tournament and now that you guys know more about them, third best 3-point shooting team in the country? How do you contend with that?

COURTNEY RAMEY: It was like an inside joke. I just knew we were going to play them. That's why I gave it the side eye. But knowing more about that team, I think they're a good team. They proved it in the ACC tournament. And I think every team in this tournament's good, and I just think we're prepared. Be ready to play tomorrow when the lights come on.

Q. I guess start with Courtney and work its way down. But Chris tinkered with the starting lineup throughout the season, and then it's been y'all five consistently for the past few weeks, couple months. How have y'all grown? How have you evolved? And how do y'all feel as a five heading into this game?

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: We knew it was going to be a work in progress playing with new players, a new coach. He did a good job just trying to put us in the right position. I think -- as of lately, I think we're doing a better job of playing with each other and figuring out each other's tendencies, and I think right now we play our best ball when it matters, and I think that's our main goal, and it starts tomorrow for us.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: Just like with any new team, it takes time to build chemistry and camaraderie between a lot of guys who used to be alphas and lead scorers on their team. So with the sacrifice that we had, I think right now, moving forward, it's going to be best for us to sacrifice a lot more and really buy into what matters most into winning and really focus on our strong suits, doing what we do best to help the team win.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: It's been amazing going through this year, coming together with these guys, and just seeing how far we've grown on our journey, and it's always been our plan to go through this journey, the ups and the downs, and just be prepared for these moments that we're about to encounter, so it's been fun.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: Going off with the seeding, seeds don't really mean much in March. We're all men. We all put our shoes on the same way, and you've just got to come out and bring your A game.

UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER: Nobody thought it was going to be easy putting this team together. All the talent we got on this team, it really don't matter who starts the game. But when we move that thing and play defense, we're a really good team. So I think that's all that really matters, just playing defense and playing together, and playing the right way. We can compete with anybody.

Q. For whoever wants to answer, how much is being an old team this year -- obviously, all you guys are seniors. And with all that experience, how much has that helped you win games this year?

COURTNEY RAMEY: I feel like it goes a long way. I think throughout the history, older teams win, especially this time of the year. I think all of us being older and being through a lot throughout the years of college basketball can go a long way, and I think we're coming together and we're as solid as we can be. I think the others would agree with that, too.

ANDREW JONES: Being an older veteran team means a lot, especially when you become connected around this time. That's the biggest part when it comes to March Madness, how well are you connected and how well can you execute a game plan. And it comes with maturity, and we can show our maturity, and our age can be an asset and be a key component to us winning and playing well. It will go a long way for us to make a run in this tournament.

MARCUS CARR: Kind of what they're saying, the maturity aspect as well as just the experience. We've all played a lot of basketball up here and been through a lot of situations. So now that we're together and at this point in the season, we can draw on our past experiences as a team together and even experiences before that and really just make that come together, help each other, use each other, and just go out there and play our best.

CHRISTIAN BISHOP: Yeah, I'm thinking experience helps a lot when it comes to March and just having a lot of veteran guys on the team will help the team as a unit and will benefit us on the court.

TIMMY ALLEN: Like Marcus said, we all played a lot of basketball, been in a lot of close situations games, just big games period. So I think it will help us down the stretch, and, hopefully, we can get off to a good start here.

Q. With everything you've been through, I'm just curious what your emotions are coming into this tournament as you get closer to the last tournament here. How are you feeling?

ANDREW JONES: It's amazing, man. It's probably one of the most ecstatic feelings I've ever had. Last year with COVID, playing the tournament was fun, but I never actually got the chance to experience true March Madness with the atmosphere and the hype that comes around it, so I'm excited to come back for a consecutive year and make a run and go as far as we can.

MODERATOR: Joined now by Texas head coach, Chris Beard. Questions, please?

Q. Chris, being undefeated in first round games here in the NCAA Tournament, what is it that you can do in March with your teams, like what's the recipe? How do you build that mindset for them throughout the year to get them to a point where they are playing their best basketball in March?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Yeah. I think the bottom line is our players have won a lot of games in the NCAA Tournament, and our players have had some success in the first round. But I've never scored a basket or gotten a rebound, so it's a player's game.

With that being said, I would say that we try to get our guys to understand. I don't think we're any different than any other coaches in this tournament. The most important game's the first game. So we set ours up as a four-team tournament. We would like to play 80 minutes this weekend. We would like to win two games. Easy to talk about, really difficult to do, especially against the team we've got to play, Virginia Tech, a great team, great coach. But I think, at the end of the day, it's a player's deal. But one thing we do try to do is explain to our guys that the most important game of the tournament's the first game.

Q. As the season has evolved, what has made your defense so good? And as you watch Virginia Tech film this week, what concerns does that offense pose for your defense?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Well, I think with our defense, it is our identity. We told the players this year the season needed to start with our defense. As we learned each other, we knew our offense was going to be a work in progress. And we did. We got off to a great start defensively this season, and then we really believe your season ends with your defense.

Certainly, to win six games in this tournament in three weekends, you've got to have a defense that can defend. And you're going to have maybe an off night or two offensively. To win those six games, your defense has to be the staple. And for us, it is our identity.

Concerns with our opponent, Virginia Tech, all sorts of them. I haven't slept in four days. I would argue that this is one of the best offensive teams in the tournament, one of the best teams in the tournament. Coach does a great job. They're really difficult to defend. They've got five guys out there that are a threat. Obviously the 3-point shot's a weapon, dribble penetration's a weapon, and they can throw the ball inside and play through the post. They've got really good players. They've got an experienced team. Many of these guys played together last year in the NCA tournament, a great, first-round game against Florida. Of course, Storm has had some success at Wofford and is now picking up where he left off on the biggest stage at Virginia Tech.

We've got a lot of concerns. We're playing against a really well-coached team that's playing their best, I think, what, 13 of their last 15. They just won the ACC tournament. They've been in this survive-and-advance mode for four games now. It will be interesting to see how our guys respond because this is the first time we've been in survive-and-advance mode. As much as we've tried to emulate that this year, this is the first time we have to win to continue our season. Virginia Tech's been in this situation, in my opinion.

Q. Kind of along those lines, it's one thing to talk about March in November and December, but it's another thing to get here to see the logos, the press conference, the arena, all that. How much are you watching the guys to make sure that they're not tight or nervous or whatever because, for a lot of them, this is a first for them? And for the returning guys, they have to get that Abilene Christian taste out of their mouth.

COACH CHRIS BEARD: It's a fine line. You definitely want to be aggressive. You definitely want to have a lot of fun. You dream about the one shining moment. But on the other hand, you've got to do what got you here. And for us, that's discipline and poise and toughness. So it's obviously a fine line. For us on this year's team, our game tomorrow, we really rely on our veteran players. We've got an older group, as does Virginia Tech, and I think that's why it's one of the most interesting games in the first round. You've got two veteran teams playing against each other.

Has the NCAA -- has it always been black carpet the first round? Isn't it normally blue carpet? I've been talking to our guys all year long about the blue carpet. We've got a piece of blue carpet in the locker room. I get the guys to dream about the blue carpet. We've got some guys who have never played in this tournament. We show up here a few minutes ago, and it's black carpet. So as a coach, you try to have a little credibility with your team, so I'm going to try to explain to the players that I haven't lost my mind, it's normally blue carpet. But I don't know if it's black this year or what, which I don't mind the black carpet. It's a nice carpet. But we were really looking forward to the blue carpet.

Q. I'm just wondering: When you look at Virginia Tech on tape, what is it they're doing differently these last 15 games or so that's enabled them to step their game up so much from earlier in the year?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Yeah. Great basketball question. If I wasn't fortunate enough to be coaching here, we would probably be at a sports bar somewhere watching all the games, and that's what we'd probably be talking about because this Virginia Tech team, it's almost like they've had two different seasons. Coach K said it best the other day after they played Duke, that they probably became the team they probably always envisioned they could be. And Coach Young said, That's exactly right.

I agree. I think, one, they implemented some new players just like us, so they had to get comfortable. I think they've got some guys that really emerged as almost, like, new weapons. 13 coming off the bench is a bucket. He's a great offensive player. Obviously, their freshman backup guard is not playing like a freshman. So I think they've got some guys playing different. I tell the guys that all the time. The first meeting we have coming back from Christmas break, we always tell our guys, All right. First semester's in the books. Now we have to have some different players. They look around, Are you talking about trades? I say, Not trades. It can be the same people but different players. I need you guys to play different now that we're in the Big 12.

I think they've really emerged on that. I think defensively their identity has continued to improve with the gap defense and the commitment to keep the ball in the paint. They've just gotten better at it. And then Captain Obvious here, but basketball is always a little bit easier when you make shots. And, boy, they're firing shots. They've got some unbelievable shooting going on as of late.

That's a great basketball question. I think, basically, they appear to me to be their best version of themselves right now. They appear to me to be playing their A zone game, and we have to match that. We have to play our best 40 minutes tomorrow afternoon. And, again, pretty easy to sit here and talk about. Going to be really difficult to do, but that's our objective.

Q. On the bright side, the carpet does match the drapes, so I think that's a good thing.

You've coached young teams in this tournament, you've coached old teams in this tournament. These older guys, are they loose because they've been here for the most part and this is a new challenge for them, they might not have the jitters that a younger kid might have?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Yeah. Personally, I don't like the word "loose." I like be you, focused, but confident. I think if you have some looseness about you in this tournament, you'll be done pretty quick. You'll be taking the towels and walking out the black carpet. Great towels at the NCAA Tournament, too. There should be a story about that. One of you guys should talk about the NCAA Tournament towel. Ask any player or coach that's ever participated in this great event.

I hope that we're confident, I hope that we are who we've been all year long because that's a good team. That's a team that's had a really good season. That's a team that's proven that we can play anybody in the country. Certainly in our league, we have some great teams, and I put Virginia Tech in that same category. I think they're a successful team in the Big 12, so we've got to go out and win another Big 12 game tomorrow. I also hope that we're smelling the roses and enjoying the moment and playing our best basketball. So, to me, the word is probably "confident" more than "loose."

Q. Chris, you said you want your team's identity to be through its defense. How would you describe the principles of that identity and what's important to you?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Yeah. From season to season, our defense might change a little bit based on personnel, but we have what we call nonnegotiables that aren't going to change as long as we're coaching. And we certainly want to be a team that doesn't give up easy baskets, so that's transition defense. That's a commitment to be competitive at the rim. We want to be a defense that doesn't foul in bad moments or in unnecessary moments. That's discipline. We want to be a defense that tries to take something away from you. I know in this game if we let Virginia Tech do what they want to do, start the bus. We're going to have to take some things away from them. And I'm sure they feel the same way about us. So there's some pillars, some nonnegotiables with the defense. We believe in pressuring the ball, and Virginia Tech's got some great passers. No. 25 is as good a forward passer as I've seen all year in college basketball, so there's some things we have to get done in this game, and we call those nonnegotiables in our culture.

Q. Chris, you -- kind of piggybacking on that, and you talked earlier in the week about needing to play your best in the tournament and aside from making shots, grabbing rebounds, all that stuff, when you go back and watch tape and you say, Okay. We played at our best for the vast majority of 40 minutes. To you, what does that look like?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Urgency, not taking possessions off, understanding the first minute of the game's as important as the 38th minute, execution, doing what we say we're going to do. If we say we need to double block out Aluma, that's what we need to do. Discipline, urgency, watching the team that's playing the game and not the scoreboard.

I think when we get into that zone of focus, which it appears to me Virginia Tech is always in, especially as of late, we're a pretty good team. I think we can play with anybody in this tournament. We're just going to have to go out there and prove it. First game's always the most important, and we're playing a quality opponent. This is a team, in my opinion, that could make a run, but I believe that we can, too.

Q. Based on your experience with the NCAAs, does it concern you or not that, as you said, Virginia Tech's coming in as a hot team and you guys, I think, lost your last three? Does that concern you at all or not much?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Yeah. Everything concerns me. You start thinking about competition. I would think they're obviously playing great basketball, but we are, too. You look at our last three games. Baylor got a one seed. Is that accurate? Kansas got a one seed. So it's not like we're playing schools down the road. We feel like we're playing pretty well right now, so we'll see. But I know Virginia Tech's playing what appears to me to be really good basketball right now.

Q. Obviously, y'all have a much older team, but then you do have Devin. Never been in this tournament before, but he's a guy that can bring you spark off the bench. What do you want him to bring to this game for y'all?

COACH CHRIS BEARD: Yeah. Just like Virginia Tech, they'll play a freshman in tomorrow's game. Devin's in our rotation. I don't view Devin as a freshman at this point. He played a lot of basketball at Kentucky last year, and he's played a lot of basketball for us in Austin this year. So I think when you get to the NCAA Tournament, there ought to be a little asterisk next to guys that have played the minutes Devin's played.

What I would like for Devin is for him to be the best version of himself, and that's being aggressive and playing with no fear. Dev's had a great freshman year for us, and we'll need him to play well tomorrow for us to be the best Texas team we can be.