NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - WEST VIRGINIA VS MARYLAND

March 15, 2023

Erik Stevenson

Emmitt Matthews

Kedrian Johnson

Legacy Arena

West Virginia Mountaineers

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Okay. At this time we will welcome West Virginia players. So if you would go ahead and get your hand raised, we will begin the press conference.

Q. I guess start with Erik. Your first NCAA Tournament. I know you have looked forward to this for a long time. Does it have a different feel? Are there nerves involved in this?

ERIK STEVENSON: I don't know if there's nerves as of right now, at least. There's excitement. Anxious to get out there and start playing. Probably have some nerves come game time. Yeah.

Q. For all three players, why did it take so long for you to start playing, winning basketball this year in the Big 12?

EMMITT MATHEWS JR.: I think the Big 12 has been on the showcase all year, just the talent level and, you know, the amazing teams that we've had in the conference. And you know, I think this has been a testament over the last four or five years for me in college seeing the Big 12 grow and become the best conference in college basketball. Night in and night out playing great teams. And them making one or two more plays than us that can change the game. That's what decides the basketball games at this level. I think once we figure out what those 1 to 2 plays where to help us win game that's when we started winning games. And we've seen that continue until the end of the year.

Q. For both T.D. and Emmitt, you played in the NCAA Tournament before, but markedly different because of the bubble situation. First of all, how different was that? Have you talked to the guys about what the product on the floor was going to be like?

KEDRIAN JOHNSON: I'll start out by saying, I was a part of the NCAA Tournament. You know, but I just feel like this is another basketball game. You go into the games the same way you into the rest of the games. I think it's just going out and competing.

EMMITT MATHEWS JR.: Kind of to piggyback off of what he said, these games are, you know you have to put 100% on the line every time. Everybody that checks into the game knows it could be their last game. Any loose ball that you can get, you try to get it. You don't let anything go to waste out there. You value your minutes and play as hard as you can and give whatever you can to the team.

Q. For Emmitt and Erik, how long does it take you guys to adjust to Huggins, just his style and what he wants coming into the transfer to sort of figure out what he wants from you?

ERIK STEVENSON: I played for Frank Martin and Gregg Marshall so it didn't take me long at all. Huggins is an amazing hall of famer, he's very demanding. When you meet his demands he let's you play, give you freedom. You couldn't ask for anything more than that.

EMMITT MATHEWS JR.: From my perspective, I've known him since 2018, I mean, I didn't really have any expectations coming in. I knew he was probably the hardest coach to play for in all of America.

Q. For any of you guys, you weren't happy with the energy, the pep in your step the last time you came out. How have you responded with practices, workouts within the last week or so?

ERIK STEVENSON: Got some rest, which is huge. You know, obviously there's pros and cons to losing that quarter-final game to Kansas. We get more rest. Obviously we wanted to win the conference tournament. But like I said, we got rest mentally and rest physically, we had a couple good days of practice, we'll have another good day today and build on it for tomorrow.

Q. Erik, what are some of the issues that Maryland present? You had a chance to study them a little bit.

ERIK STEVENSON: They love to put their head down and get to that rim. Especially in iso situations. They are really good in iso situations, from what I've seen. And like to do some window dressing action and whatnot. And get to whoever they want in that spot and he kind of just does his thing. They have the big kid inside, left-handed, he has a high release on his jump hook. We have to keep him away from his left hand. You know, that's pretty much what I've seen so far. Obviously they are good at catch and shoot. Catch and shoot guys, we're going to try to make them put it on the deck and make some plays off the bounce.

Q. Guys, all three of you are in your final games. Is the finality of this hit you? Do you think about that walking in the hallway and walking on to the court for practice, those type of things? All three of you if you could answer that.

KEDRIAN JOHNSON: For me personally I try to live in the moment, try not to really get too far ahead of myself. But the emotions are high. But, you know, I think I'll be good.

ERIK STEVENSON: Yeah, I mean, it seems like I played a thousand college games. So, I mean, I had this feeling last year like this might be my last game. But I got the year back and I'm glad I'm going to end my career where I want to in the NCAA Tournament. Yeah, you can definitely get a feeling that college is coming to an end.

EMMITT MATHEWS JR.: Kind of piggyback off of what Erik said. The feeling that it's all going to be over soon. Knowing you have something ahead of you, and something which we can all obtain, a national championship. I try not to think about it too much. I would rather focus on playing games and focussing on that. When it ends, it ends. It's supposed to end when it's going to end. I'm excited though.

Q. You have some experience in this gym. Give me some of your thoughts on this arena and your performance last year.

KEDRIAN JOHNSON: I like the gym for the most part. I'm a southern dude. But yeah, it's a nice arena. Erik will shoot really well here.

Q. Why is that?

ERIK STEVENSON: I hope so.

KEDRIAN JOHNSON: You say why is that? It's the bright lights, it's the NCAA Tournament. Erik going to make a lot of shots.

Q. You mentioned meeting the demands of Bob Huggins. What goes into that and do you remember a specific, I guess, example of falling short of those demands?

ERIK STEVENSON: You said "falling short of those demands"? Yeah, he's going to let you know right there on the spot, whether you like it or not.

Q. What kind of teammate is Joe Toussaint been like this year? I got to see you guys play a few times on television. We loved him at Iowa. For any of you, what kind of teammate has he been?

EMMITT MATHEWS JR.: We love him here. That's for sure. He's electric, man. He gives us a huge spark off the bench, he plays defense at a high level, he takes care of the ball, he's a facilitator, he knows how to pass, he can hit the open shot, he can get downhill. He's small and crafty so he can get into the spaces where most people can't. I think he's more athletic than people think. He's super quick. I think he's a perfect piece for our team. He fits in just right. There's no ego. There's no nonsense with him. Straight on he comes from a good family. He loves school, he loves the program. We love him the same way.

THE MODERATOR: Any more questions? All right, gentlemen, thank you and good luck.