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

March 18, 2022

Bill Self

Joseph Yesufu

Jalen Wilson

Jalen Coleman-Lands

Dickies Arena

Kansas Jayhawks

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome to the student-athletes from the Kansas Jayhawks. Closest to me, Mr. Yesufu, then Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Coleman-Lands. Start with questions in the room, and then move to questions on ZOOM.

Q. Jalen Wilson, yesterday, I saw you guys on the bench having fun and jumping up and down. How important is it this time of year to have fun, to kind of be in the moment, maybe not look too far ahead to where you guys eventually want to be?

JALEN WILSON: It means everything. I think in this tournament, you have to take it one game at a time and enjoy every single game that you have. Because it really is win or go home.

We're always happy and supporting our teammates. Especially when we were clicking like that last night. And just showing emotion and showing how happy we were for everybody.

THE MODERATOR: Next question for the student-athletes? Front row on the right side.

Q. Joe, how do you guys keep it loose, keep having fun and not succumb to the pressure?

JOSEPH YESUFU: I feel like we gel well off the court. Always around each other. I feel like that's a really big piece to it, not just being on the court with each other.

We spend a lot of time with each other. So I feel like that -- being off the court with each other, that translates to how we play on the court. So we're more of a family.

THE MODERATOR: Stay in the front row on the right.

Q. Jalen, this question is for you. You had some pretty good memories of the game against Creighton last year. What did you remember about that game, what did you learn about the Bluejays, if anything, that you can take into this season?

JALEN WILSON: One, they're a really good team that's well coached. And last year, it went down to the very last shot. They ended up missing the free-throw for us to win by one. And it was a battle throughout the entire game.

With this team, I know there's a couple new faces for their team, but they're always going to have the same chip that they did last year, and also the same coach. So it's always going to be a tough game with them.

THE MODERATOR: More questions for the student-athletes? On the left side, second row.

Q. Joe, I wonder -- can you compare your experience? I mean, it's just one game now in this tournament and your time last year in the tournament, and just the experience of being on a top seed versus maybe an underdog like last year?

JOSEPH YESUFU: We always have a target on our backs. At Drake, we were -- of course, we were the underdogs and looking to come at everybody's neck like we was about to play Kansas. So I was looking forward to that game. But having a target on our backs really makes us have to play even harder, because we're going to get everybody's best shot.

Q. And kind of along those lines, for all three of you, if you would, they had a big injury last night in their game, one of their anchors/top players goes down. How do you digest that news, how do you not look at that and make that part of your preparation?

JOSEPH YESUFU: We're not -- they're going to play hard for them. You know they're going to try to get the win for him. So we have to prepared for that. They're going to come out even harder than they did yesterday because, you know, we're always going to have that target.

JALEN WILSON: Like he said, it's win or go home. So I'm sure they're going to make plenty of adjustments. Like I said, they're a well coached team with good players around. So if a guy goes down, I'm pretty sure the other guys are going to step up and play even harder.

JALEN COLEMAN-LANDS: Yep. To piggyback off of that: You know, they're a team, I'm pretty sure they're a family just like we are. And they going to try to make up for their loss. Well coached, and the energy will be there. So...

Q. For all three of you guys, Coach kind of talked about the late night last night. What time did you get back to the hotel? And, mentally, what does it take turn around and play ball?

JALEN WILSON: I don't think we got back too late. But we got to sleep in. And we'll have practice later on and be able to regroup and learn what we need to learn and make any adjustments defensively for Creighton. And, you know, we got enough sleep.

JALEN COLEMAN-LANDS: Yeah, we got enough sleep.

THE MODERATOR: Front row, right side.

Q. Joe, what's possible with two point guards on the floor at the same time?

JOSEPH YESUFU: We play faster. All our guards are really quick. And having two point guards on the floor makes it easier for us to create on the floor. And I feel like we gel more. We get guys open. It's easier for us to get in the paint. I feel like it's great for us.

THE MODERATOR: Left side.

Q. J-Cole for you. You didn't watch it, you were here. I didn't see it, but I heard that on the broadcast last night they kind of shed some light on your off-the-court stuff and the things you do in communities and just the difference you try to make for people. I wonder what that means for you, to have that come to light on this stage and national audience, all that.

JALEN COLEMAN-LANDS: Yeah, it's crazy. Even with you asking me, you know, I think it's -- it means something about -- like, even to my team, too, because they've been a part of this with me.

So to be able to, you know, talk about it and bring it to fruition, and then now seeing it on TV and not only just locally, but even on a mainstream, it's humbling. You know, it's humbling.

And it knows that -- it's reassuring to me that there's value there and that I'm on the right path. Because it's something I'm passionate about, as well. So it's gratifying and it's humbling. I mean, that's what it concisely sums all that up.

Q. I'm wondering for all three of you guys: Did you guys grow up watching this event? I mean, do you TV watch, do you fill out brackets or are you just focused on here? Do you allow yourselves to have fun and kind of remember back to when you were kids watching this?

JALEN COLEMAN-LANDS: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I heard J-Wil said it's something we dreamed of as kids. I mean, you watch basketball and you want to see it at the pinnacle. And this is where champions are defined.

As a team, you know, looking at it now in retrospect, just knowing that how important this is, you know, this is something we've always thought about as kids and now being in this position. So yeah.

JALEN WILSON: Yeah, I mean, growing up throughout school, in middle school, my teachers would put it on the screen for us during class and we would be able to watch games.

And I've always wanted to be a part of it. The only other -- the only March Madness game I went to as a kid was that Kentucky/Connecticut game when it was -- when UConn won.

And I was like, Man, this is the championship. Like, I want to be here one day. So now having the team and, you know, the capability of doing that is really special to me. And that's why, you know, I'm just trying to emphasize it's one game at a time. Because I feel like we have the capability to be there.

JOSEPH YESUFU: Like they said, it's definitely a dream come true. I did feel out some brackets, you know, back in the day. But, you know, none of them, you know, worked out. But it's definitely a dream come true.

The teachers, like J-Wil said, they used to put them on in the classroom. One game I do remember is that UConn versus Pittsburgh game when Kemba Walker hit the game-winning three.

When he hit that three, that's when I realized I can't wait to be there. So this is definitely a dream come true.

THE MODERATOR: Second row on the right side.

Q. Jalen, what were the circumstances? Why were you at the national championship game that year?

JALEN WILSON: Oh, my mom just surprised me. She said we were going to a watch party, and then she pulled out two tickets. And I, like, almost cried. Because she knew how much I loved to watch college basketball. And I'll never forget it.

We went there and seeing all types of different players. I mean, it was just -- that dunk that -- I forgot. James Young from Kentucky, that left-handed dunk, that's, like, one of the best dunks of all time. I got to see that lob.

Just seeing the atmosphere, seeing all the alumni, the NBA players that came out. I just wanted to be a part of that. And it was just something I'll never forget.

THE MODERATOR: Questions for the student-athletes? None? Letting them off easy? Okay. Guys, thank you.

All right. We welcome Coach Bill Self for the Kansas Jayhawks. We'll start with an opening statement and take questions from the room and questions on ZOOM, if there are any. Coach, go ahead.

BILL SELF: We're very excited. A little fatigued today. And last night was a late night or an early morning, so to speak. And we can't wait to get on the practice floor here in a little bit and start preparing.

THE MODERATOR: Okay. Questions in the room? We'll start second row on the left.

Q. Hey, Coach, in an event that's so pressure packed, how important is it for these guys to have fun and enjoy the ride? Is there anything you can do to keep it light?

BILL SELF: Well, I -- you know, we talk about that all the time, about, you know, this is the reward of months of hard work. And you don't want to look back and say what if.

So you got to have fun. It's got to be a great memory. And the best way to make a great memory is to be focused and maybe give 5 or 10 percent more and, you know, try to be as loose and as poised that you can be.

I've actually thought this team has handled that type of pressure for the most part pretty well. Regardless of how loose you hope to be, there's still going to be moments where you play tight. That's natural. But I think for the most part this team has done a pretty good job of that.

Q. Bill, Ryan Hawkins was a guy that was at Northwest Missouri State, a D2 player to D1. You got a D2 guy from Missouri Southern State. Can you go into a little more detail about what the transition is for a D2 player to that D1 level? And how do you feel Ryan has been able to do so well at it this season?

BILL SELF: Well, we were watching tape earlier and I said -- we were watching Ryan highlights, part of his edit tape, and I said, Cam, did he use to do this to you like he was doing to these guys?

And he said, He never did to me, my coach wouldn't let me guard him. And I said, yeah, because you couldn't, basically. (Laughing)

But I think that there's a misconception out there that if you don't play at a Division 1 level, you may not be quite as talented as some kids that do. And that's certainly not the case.

And if you saw Northwest Missouri play, they could beat, you know, many teams, many, many teams. They almost beat Duke a couple years ago in an exhibition game.

He's talented, he can shoot. He's got a quick release. He's unbelievably skilled. He's a bull and tough. You know, I think he can make any team in America better. And he happens to be in a great system right now to do that.

Q. What's the trademark of McDermott's coaching style and his teams?

BILL SELF: You know, I just talked to Mac a little bit ago. We go back quite a ways because he was, you know, at Iowa State and in my earlier years in the league.

And I would say back then and maybe even some of the years at Creighton, I think his reputation would be, one, that his teams could really score and play loose and play free-minded.

It's kind of been the MO for Iowa State period, you know, for Mac, to Fred, Steve. TJ's a little different now, obviously.

But that would kind of be what I would say would be kind of what the reputation would be. And this year, to me, they still score. But they have become one of the best defensive teams in the country.

Their identity to me is as much through toughness and defensively as it is offensively. And, you know, that's not saying anything negative or positive, that's just facts.

Like, I would say our identity, for the most part, this year has been on the offensive end rather than the defensive end. And hopefully we're changing that a little bit, as well. But I think his team plays with great toughness and can really guard.

Q. Bill, how much about the scouting report changes when an impact player, a seven-footer like Kalkbrenner goes down just last night?

BILL SELF: Well, it definitely changes. We try to say, Okay, let's watch some tape when he didn't play and see what they did differently. And, you know, he played 30 minutes a game. So he played in every game this year. So there aren't a lot of opportunities to do that.

And, you know, he's a really good player. He's got great feet, great hands. And he can block or alter about as well as anybody. And they run so many clever things, high, low, things like that where he can be the passer or finisher. Knows how to steal.

But the guy they bring in behind him is probably a superior and natural athlete. He's very capable. He doesn't score the ball like Ryan has scored it, but he hasn't had the same opportunities that Ryan has had.

So we will prepare that they will run the same stuff, because we have no idea what they'll run if they don't. We may prepare that they may play a different lineup and maybe slide guys up a spot to play smaller or something like that.

But as far as us knowing what they'll do in the scouting, I think the biggest thing is to rely on principles as much as anything else.

Q. Kind of continuing our conversations about just a wild first day in the tournament. I'm curious if y'all do anything preparation-wise for a neutral sites, seven and one this year. Obviously, a great home-court advantage. Do you do anything differently knowing that you're going to be playing at these different venues?

BILL SELF: No, not really. I think the one thing that we try to do as much as we possibly can is to play as many good nonconference neutral site games. I actually think the Champions Classic is great.

You know, playing Michigan State this year, or Duke or Kentucky other years. And even though the crowd will be different in those settings than it probably will be tomorrow, but it's -- you know, going to a tournament that would be exempt, you know, this past year we went to Orlando.

And even though we lost, I thought we got some good out of it. Next year we're going to Atlanta. So playing in those type of tournaments I think help. But being real candid with you, I don't know that we prepare for it any certain way.

Q. Bill, in your eyes, what makes Remy Martin so special? And how's he able to stay locked in amidst those injuries that he had earlier in the season with the on-court struggles?

BILL SELF: Well, Remy deserves a lot of credit. One, Remy doesn't make excuses. Remy doesn't like to tell anybody's he's hurt. And so, he's been a difficult for -- one, for me to read.

In large part, because I really don't know how much he's hurting because structurally he's fine. But a deep bone bruise in that area can be more painful than what a severe hip pointer can be. And we all know how that feels if you, in fact, get it touched, let alone hit.

So I think he's hung in there pretty good. I think he's been frustrated. I think he's -- one part he's frustrated is because I don't think that he's been able to show us what he's capable of doing.

So when I make a statement, like, Well, you know, if we can get a good play out of this or if he can make this play or whatever, or Remy, you know, until you feel comfortable, you know, maybe play a little bit more conservatively until you kind of get into a groove or whatever, and he's looking at me saying, No, you don't get me at all.

And he may be partially right. Because he is a guy that needs to play with a total open mind and play with freedom. And I think we're seeing -- even though yesterday the game was not in doubt, I think we're seeing what our team can be, if in fact, Remy is healthy. And it's a different team than what we had a month ago.

Q. With O'Connell, he didn't play against you guys when they came to Lawrence last year, but you did see him at Duke. I wonder: I know you've seen plenty of film on him this year with Creighton this year, I'm sure, but do you go back that far?

BILL SELF: No, I won't. I won't. I won't. You know, it's hard to do things like that when you only have, what, 40 hours or 38 hours or whatnot.

But I remember Alex. I've seen him play enough. The thing that impresses me about him is you don't realize how tall he is. He's tall and he's got great legs. He can elevate and shoot the ball over the top of you. And we know he can shoot. So, yeah, he's a hard guard.

But we'll rely what we see more this year more than anything. But, certainly, he was a factor for Duke when we had good games with Duke.

Q. Bill, how did Mitch hold up in his limited duty yesterday and how is he doing, you think?

BILL SELF: We'll know more here in just a little bit. But this morning -- or this afternoon at breakfast, that was kind of a joke because we got in late last night. (Laughing)

But this afternoon at breakfast, he said he felt good. He said it was not any worse than what it was. So that's a positive.

Q. Tomorrow, if Kansas wins, it would tie Kentucky for all-time victories. What would that mean to the program and what would it mean to do it this year?

BILL SELF: Personally, Gary, I don't even know if it registers on what it would mean to the program. What it would mean is we won another game. And playing in the Sweet 16 is far more important than tying that.

I hope we tie it, I hope we pass it by a couple -- you know, by the end of the year, but not because of that, just that we're still going to be playing. So...

Q. Playing a team last year, but the personnel is completely different, how do you go across watching -- can you even watch that tape at all?

BILL SELF: I haven't. I haven't. They have five new players/starters. And as far as contributors last year, Ryan, obviously, was a major contributor and he's not playing. Mitchell, if I'm not mistaken, was a major contributor, and he's not playing. So, you know, and Alex didn't play last year against us. Isn't that right, Matt?

So I don't know how much that would help us, you know, watching that.

But I think we've got a -- you know, I hope we do. I think we've got a pretty good book on what Creighton has had success doing this year and what they like to do. And hopefully we're able to neutralize that. But we'll go off based on this year.

Q. Coach, a lot of the fans seem to think that the conference is measured by how many teams make deep runs in the tournament. You've never seemed to really buy into that thinking. What is the measuring stick for the Big 12 this year overall in that, you know, experts seem to think that it's been the best conference?

BILL SELF: Yeah, Dave, I don't know that -- I don't really buy into that. I think once you get in the NCAA tournament, it's so much about matchups, that sometimes a team that's been terrific can run into a buzz saw, and so maybe sometimes a team that hasn't been as good can have a little bit of a clear path if they play well.

But I don't know -- if that's not the metric to determine the success of your league or how good your league is, I don't know what the metric would be, though.

I don't know how you could -- the fact that you could look at the all the net, and you could look at all the statistical stuff throughout the regular season, the bottom line is, once it gets to this time of year, none of it matters anyway.

So I don't know if there's a great way to measure it. I don't know if there's a fair way to measure it. But I know our league takes great pride in doing as well as we can possibly do in the tournament.

And I don't think we've done as well in the tournament, with the exception of Baylor, especially last year, as what maybe the metrics of our league has shown throughout the regular season.

So it's time to step up and do our part, as well.

Q. I wonder about the matchup with Trey Alexander and, specifically, how he played last night, what you saw there?

BILL SELF: He played great. He played great. And he's got size. And I've known Trey and his family forever. I recruited DeAngelo, his uncle, back in the day, when I was at Illinois. Know his family. Recruited Trey. And I think he's really, really improved in a very short amount of time.

We didn't recruit him as point guard. And I don't know that Greg recruited him as a point guard. But it he's turned out to be a terrific point guard, thrown into emergency duty. So he's done a fabulous job.

Q. (No microphone.)

BILL SELF: Well, he's bigger. And the one thing that Trey can do, he can shoot over folks. And that's one way he's been real effective. So we've got to do a good job in not letting him get into a shot where he can jump up over us.

Q. Bill, how prepared is this team to play if Creighton does go small for certain stretches?

BILL SELF: Well, you know, I think it goes without saying that it could either be a strength or a weakness. There's that old adage, you know, make them adjust to you more than you adjust to them.

And if they decide to do that, then how do we take advantage of them being small. And then how do we guard them when they are small. And that will be a big question with us, because, obviously, that would put David on the perimeter a lot.

So I think we can do it. I think we can do it. I think there's a strategy and ways to do it. And we've actually played a couple of teams in recent memory that went small on us and we were able to do it and get by with it and not get hurt with it defensively, and being a bonus offensively.

So I can see it working favorably with us, but it won't be an easy guard, though, regardless if that occurs.

Q. Bill, I don't know how much you have talked to Nick Ball about this game. But who do you think he should be rooting for tomorrow?

BILL SELF: Well, I talked to Nick two days ago, and he thought this was the Nick Ball invitational in the NCAA tournament. (Laughing)

Nick played for us for two years, and then transferred, and then was a good player for Dana and started for a few years at Creighton.

So I don't know who he should be rooting for. He got his degree from Creighton and he lives in Omaha. So no matter what he says, I'm sure his allegiances will fall that way. But we all love Nick and he's still a part of us.

THE MODERATOR: More questions for Coach Self? Not seeing any, Coach, how many hours did you sleep last night?

BILL SELF: Enough. Enough.

THE MODERATOR: Wish you more this evening.