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

March 15, 2023

Jahmir Young

Julian Reese

Hakim Hart

Legacy Arena

Maryland Terrapins

Media Conference

Q. I guess first impressions on everyone -- just the amount of newness this year between new teammates, new head coach and all that stuff. Navigating the extent of the season, with everyone trying to figure each other out. What was that process like?

JAHMIR YOUNG: Starting early in the summer, just trying to build the chemistry early with each other and with Coach. And spending a lot of time off the floor together. Playing on the game or going out and, you know, whether that's bowling or whatever it is. Just trying to figure each other out and learn each other the best that we can, so we can get this rolling. It really started early as soon as we got here and got acclimated with the program.

Q. Jumping into West Virginia, what's the scouting report. What do you see on film that guys do well?

JULIAN REESE: That's a team that gets after it a lot. Physical team, pretty physical conference. They like to playing really physical. And I feel like we just prepared well for that throughout the weekend. We'll be good against them.

Q. So with that said, what's key for you guys? What do you have to do well tomorrow?

HAKIM HART: I feel like for us to do well, we have to focus on rebounding the basketball, focus on our defensive assignments, and get out in transition, and play transition defense at our best ability.

Q. Could each of you address the dynamic of your guys home and away record and just trying to win away from the building and being more comfortable. Can you explain why there's such a separation there or whatever you want to put it?

JAHMIR YOUNG: I would just say it's tough to win at home, and it's even tougher to win away. So, you know, whether that's, you know, missing a blockout, one less foul. We had a lot of games on the road where we lost by less than five points, or it came down to a few possessions. So I would just say just tightening up on those things and just being able to finish our possessions and just being mentally tougher on the road. You know, not having the crowd with us on the road and having them at home, it's a big difference, but at a neutral site I feel like we have to emphasize that and be more focused on the mental part of it, and being able to fight and come together.

JULIAN REESE: Yeah. Like what Jahmir said. You know, a lot of away games we got away with. Little things. One less block with Tennessee and five fouls against Nebraska. I feel like we fixed those little things that we can get away with at home, with the crowd, and we will be good on the road.

Q. Just playing in the NCAA Tournament, nerves? I mean, what's this going to be like for you guys? Can you envision it?

JAHMIR YOUNG: Yeah. I would say just exciting. Just happy to be out here. Just growing up wanting to be out here, just watching March Madness, just knowing how many people are going to be watching. The excitement that builds up just to play in it. I just feel like we are going to be excited to get out there and compete. They could be -- any time could be our last game. Just trying to leave it all on the floor at the end of the day.

Q. Hakim, can you just talk about what being back in the NCAA Tournament means for you and Donte specifically?

HAKIM HART: It definitely means a lot. During our college career, this is what you try to do the most. You try to win championships. It definitely means a lot to be here again.

THE MODERATOR: Okay, gentlemen, thank you and good luck.