MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL

November 21, 2022

Eric Musselman

Anthony Black

Makhel Mitchell

Lahaina Civic Center

Arkansas Razorbacks

Postgame Press Conference

Arkansas - 80, Louisville - 54

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with an opening statement from coach and then take questions for the student-athletes.

ERIC MUSSELMAN: Just thought we played really good defense which is what we've done through four games. We had obviously a focus on No. 3, Ellis, we had a goal of trying to hold him under 12. So I thought our -- not just Devo Davis, and Davonte did an incredible job on Ellis, but I thought our team defense was really, really good defending the three. Trying to force them into some mid-range shots.

Then I thought both Mitchell twins did an awesome job protecting the lane and dribble drives.

THE MODERATOR: Questions for our student-athletes?

Q. For both athletes, what was it like to be out there in that atmosphere? Was it what you anticipated? Y'all looked like were you having a lot of fun. What was it like?

MAKHEL MITCHELL: We were having a lot of fun. We were dialed in. Yeah, got a great plan before the game and came out and executed.

ANTHONY BLACK: Yeah, I think a lot of us grew up watching this tournament, so we kind of saw what the atmosphere was going to be like. But just playing in it is always different. I think we had great support from the fans and that kind of fueled our energy.

Q. Anthony, clearly you're the floor general out there. But you looked like you were having a great time and you looked like you were at ease. Can you share a little bit why it looked so easy for you out there today?

ANTHONY BLACK: My teammates just put a lot of confidence in me and trust in me to have the ball. I know I got a lot of talent around me. So it's not any pressure on me to just kind of do everything. We have a lot of good players, so I can kind of just be me, let the game come to me and then just help us win and have fun.

Q. Seemed like your defense especially in the second half led to that 17-2 or whatever run. How much does your defense kind of spur your offense for both athletes, please.

MAKHEL MITCHELL: I think it translates over to the offensive end. When we're all dialed in and locked into the game plan and our defensive assignments it just leads, carries over to offense.

ANTHONY BLACK: I feel like our defense really, sometimes it starts our runs, because we get out on fast break in transition. When we play defense it brings us a lot of energy. We actually like playing defense and take pride in playing defense. So that leads to a lot of easy run-out dunks which brings us a lot of momentum. So defense, it just helps us out a lot.

THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you, guys. We'll take questions for coach.

Q. What was your impression of the atmosphere? Your fans obviously travel really, really well. But what was it like out there for you and your staff?

ERIC MUSSELMAN: I thought it was an incredible atmosphere. Just as Anthony Black said, I think all of us have spent plenty of years watching this tournament. I can remember even when I was coaching in the NBA of really zoning into this tournament, for whatever reason, because of the time of day it was. And so, yeah, I think there's -- we understand the incredible job that the staff does, meaning the tournament staff, of getting high-level teams. This tournament field is, I mean it's incredible.

Q. Creighton tomorrow, top-10 matchup. How much are you guys looking forward to that? What can you get out of a game like that this early?

ERIC MUSSELMAN: Yeah, I think that both teams will come out of tomorrow and have film and stuff to continue to get better. They're a great team. They're really well coached. They have some older guys. We play a fairly young roster, so it will be a challenge going up against fifth-year seniors.

But I think that our team has continued to grow and we knew coming into this tournament that we were going to have some really challenging games. That, obviously that's going to be a real challenge to play Creighton.