NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - NORTHERN KENTUCKY VS HOUSTON

March 15, 2023

Darrin Horn

Legacy Arena

Northern Kentucky Norse

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Okay. To the podium we have Coach Darrin Horn. He's going to give an opening statement and then he will take your questions.

COACH HORN: Obviously, thrilled to be here and have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage in college basketball. And, you know, as a coach when I took this job four years ago, you know, I made no bones about this; this is our goal, this is what we want to do every year. I would love to go undefeated and win every conference regular season title. But the most important thing to me was three days in March. Our guys did a terrible job at that this year. We played our best basketball down the stretch, and it's been a collective effort. Our challenge and the ups and downs during the year was getting the consistency that we needed, especially our key guys. But down the stretch, everybody that played was at a high level and very consistent. And we get rewarded with all that, playing a really good Houston team. The opportunity to compete on this stage is what you want. We're looking forward to the opportunity.

Q. Just regardless if Sasser plays or not tomorrow, can you expand on some of those challenges that you have seen from that team and what makes them so difficult to prepare for?

COACH HORN: So much respect for Kelvin and the job that he's done at Houston, which is not a surprise. That's what he's done everywhere that he's been. And I think in a word the thing that's so impressive to me about Houston is their consistency. You could talk about it over the last several years, and specifically with this team. It's just hard when you're watching film to find a possession when they are not at a high level doing what they do well. For us the two biggest challenges are going to be on the glasses and taking care of the basketball. I think those are two huge areas. It's a challenge for us every game with how we're built. Especially when you go against somebody who is literally the best in the country at those two things. Those are areas that are going to be really important playing this game, and it's regardless of who they play. Sasser is fantastic, without question. They are much more than him. They are number one for a reason.

Q. For the fans back in Houston or people who aren't familiar with your program, what is Norse basketball?

COACH HORN: Maybe not as big and strong and athletic but similar to Houston. Really pride ourselves on the defensive end. We are the best defensive team in our league. We rank nationally in steals per game from a percentage standpoint and turnover margin. And when you get into these situations and you are the underdog, you are trying to look for what are the things that we do well that might give us an advantage? And then you look up who you draw and they are even better than you are. I think in some ways are really similar to them. We have really good guard play on the perimeter for our level, and I think we have a dynamic athlete in the interior in Chris Brandon. I think athletically he can compete with any player that we compete against. It's been a group that's come together really good down the stretch and is going to play really well together.

Q. Do you rely on Chris Brandon just for rebounding or what else does he provide?

COACH HORN: Yeah, what he provides us is a great athletic presence. And he's improved offensively and has become a better finisher this year. He has had a bunch of double-doubles for us. The thing that he is -- we have a unique defense with how we play, and you know, he's a guy that anchors it for us. And not just at the rim, his ability to cover up things, on the perimeter, in ball screens, when we switch, and rebound the ball at a high level has just been really good for us. And he's terrific in transition, both offensively and defensively, which is also really big.

Q. A minute ago a couple of your players were saying even though this is the big stage, you guys are playing the No. 1 seed, you prepare the same way. How do you get your guys to realize it's the same game even though it's elevated?

COACH HORN: Philosophically for us, even down the stretch -- if we don't play our best and focus on us being our best. And for us that begins and ends with being aggressive then all the other stuff doesn't matter. The stage is bigger for sure and the opponent is much tougher. I think for us to have any chance we have to be our best. We have to come out and play with an aggressive mindset and take the approach that how we would prepare for any other game and be able to come out and do that. Easier said than done, for sure when you get under the lights and face a tough opponent. That's definitely what our preparation will be. If our conference tournament is any indication, our guys have done a really good job at that.

Q. Darrin, this is the second time you have qualified as the head coach for NKU. First time you were here, obviously, that 2020 season didn't happen. What do you tell the guys what does this mean to you to be back in this -- and a guy like Trevon who had the opportunity but didn't get it but now can come back, and I don't want to say redemption but be able to play for that 2020 team?

COACH HORN: Honestly, for me it means to me what it means to the players. I'm really fortunate, you know, and you may have heard this, Chris being local. This is my 30th anniversary of being in the tournament for the first time. I played in it in 1993 and was fortunate to advance to the Sweet Sixteen as a player. And I think the thing that you learn being a part of the tournament is how impactful it is to so many people, and what it means to the people around you: Family, friends, university campus and program, the area that you're from. There's not really much you can do at the university level to get, you know, your program and your school the kind of publicity and attention and spotlight that this tournament brings. And there's a lot of hard work that goes into that. And so in 2020 when it was taken from our group, Trevon is the only guy that was back from that team. And that was a punch in the gut. And it literally got taken from us. I'm just so happy for our guys, I'm happy for our fans and our university and everybody associated with Northern Kentucky University because it does mean a lot, and that's not lost on us.

THE MODERATOR: Okay, Coach, good luck.