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

March 15, 2023

Marques Warrick

Sam Vinson

Trey Robinson

Chris Brandon

Trevon Faulkner

Legacy Arena

Northern Kentucky Norse

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Okay. We are ready to begin with Northern Kentucky. We're going to start with Marques Warrick, Sam Vinson, Trey Robinson, Chris Brandon, and Trevon Faulkner.

Q. Any players, what has the experience been like so far?

MARQUES WARRICK: I mean, honestly what we thought of, you know, open practice soon, the interviews, things like that. It's a new experience for a lot of us. But we're happy to be here, fortunate, and blessed to be here.

Q. Chris, I was wondering how a guy from Houston gets to Northern Kentucky, and were you a Rockets fan growing up?

CHRIS BRANDON: Growing up I was a Rockets fan growing up. Yeah. My uncle, he plays -- he coaches with the Rockets. I went to a lot of the games. Watching them play was exciting. I was for sure. Well, I transferred out from Detroit, went to Northern Kentucky to a winning program. Obviously, we want to get here. That was one of the main reasons I come to Northern Kentucky, because they win.

Q. Marques and Chris, when you look at the tape, what jumps out about Houston and whether Sasser is available or not, does that change a lot of what they do?

MARQUES WARRICK: It doesn't change anything. It doesn't change our prep or how we come into the game mentality-wise. They are definitely disciplined. Right set of mind on defensive especially. Everyone knows that's the reputation of a good defensive team. Take those things in mind. Yeah, we're prepared though.

Q. Trevon, you were on the team in 2020 that punched their ticket that didn't get to go. What is this moment like going to go back to the big dance and finally see that to fruition?

TREVON FAULKNER: This moment, it feels good just to be back. After we lost last year and the 2020. That's really the main reason I came back here for the fifth year. To be back in this moment. I feel very blessed and my team is very blessed to be here in this moment.

Q. This is for Chris. Chris, you talked about Houston. When you see the Selection Show and you see them pop up on that other line that you are playing Houston, what is that like for you to see that?

CHRIS BRANDON: It was pretty exciting. Houston is a pretty good team. I think the challenge is good for us. We're all ready to play and ready for tomorrow.

Q. Follow-up for Trevon, have you talked to any of those other guys, Tyler or any of the guys that had their last chance in 2020 to go to the Tournament and do you carry them out with you this time?

TREVON FAULKNER: Yes, sir. I talked to a couple of my teammates. Dantez, Jalen, Bryson Langdon. He actually came to our championship game, so I got to talk with him. But this is a moment that they wanted but it feels good to do it for them and have their support behind us.

Q. Kelvin Sampson and a couple starters were talking earlier about how much respect they have for the way you guys play defense and how much of a challenge that will be for them. Talk about the way you guys have been playing defense, and what do you hope to do tomorrow?

SAM VINSON: We're going to try to do the same thing we have been doing all year. We're known for our defense. We like to dictate what other teams do, get aggressive, try to get out in passing lanes and get some steals. We're coming in with the same mindset to get out in defense and try to get after them a little bit.

Q. Marques, you sort of grew up around college basketball, or at least to your dad. The moment he had. Is that kind of nice that you can now maybe create your own moment after -- does he share any details about, you know, his time in the NCAA Tournament?

MARQUES WARRICK: Talking about Coach Horn?

Q. No, Hakim.

MARQUES WARRICK: No, a lot of people get that mixed up. That's not my dad, I'm sorry.

Q. I'm Sorry. I know there is family ones. Well, Chris, Uncle John, do you tell him to wear a Northern Kentucky shirt tomorrow or is he a Houston guy? What's that like this week for the family?

CHRIS BRANDON: For sure he has to wear NKU gear. I am his nephew. Hopefully, he does put it on for us. I'm just happy to be here, you know.

Q. This is for any of you guys. Stepping out there today for your practice inside the arena, what can you accomplish? What do you want to get out of that about 24 hours or so before the game?

TREVON FAULKNER: We just really want to go out here and lock in, and get a feel for the arena. Just get in that mode for tomorrow. We know it's going to be a challenging game. We just got to go out here, get in that mode and be ready to compete tomorrow.

Q. The other night you guys were saying all the pressure is on Houston, and you are going to play pressure-free. Are you guys still feeling that way 24 hours before the game?

MARQUES WARRICK: Yeah. We are locked in. Just another team we got to play with more at stake. We are coming in with the same mentality. They are 1 seed. They don't win that means a lot of pressure on them. Nobody is picking for us to win. That makes it a lot easier on us. We're going to let loose.

Q. What would you all say to -- Sam, I guess this is for you since you are from here in Northern Kentucky. The fans that are going to show out, that are going to make the drive down here -- seven-hour drive or so. What would you say to those fans for making the trip?

SAM VINSON: Like we said it all year, we thank our fans after every game. They really are our sixth man. For them to make the drive all the way out there. We are super blessed and super thankful for them. Just them coming out to support us for tomorrow would be huge, and we probably just say thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Gentlemen, thank you and good luck tomorrow.