PAC-12 CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 13, 2024

Mike Hopkins

Keion Brooks Jr.

Washington Huskies

Postgame Press Conference

USC - 80, Washington - 74

MIKE HOPKINS: We thought tonight, obviously we played them pretty recent and one of our keys was to contain Boogie and Isaiah. They had big games. We thought Rodman hurt us on the glass. In our place it was Isaiah. Tonight it was Boogie. He played a really good game, made timely shots, big shots.

Our first half was probably one of the best first halves that we've played on this season offensively. We shared the ball, moved the ball, making nine 3s. That was pretty big.

Second half we stayed there, back and forth. Got a little bit of foul trouble. But at the end of the game certain teams make plays. We fouled a couple jump shooters. Couple of plays that just didn't go our way.

But we tip our hats to USC. We shot 34 percent from the field, 18 from 3 in the second half. And they're a very good defensive team. I think that's what's really turned around their season.

Morgan, great shot blocker. They've got physical and size on the perimeter. They pose a lot of problems. We tip our hats to USC.

Q. It's 65-65 game with like 4 minutes left there. What happened from that point on?

MIKE HOPKINS: Oh, boy. You gave me scrambled eggs. I just remember later in that 4 minutes where it was still a two-possession game. It was five. And I think it was a buck, 32 left.

We got a steal. We came down, and we could have gone to the basket. I felt like we lost our poise there at the end of the game. There was a lot of time we played.

There was 1:30 left in the game. We played like there was 22 seconds. It's just a normal mentality sometimes. And we try to tell them, poise, take the ball to the basket, see if we can go to the foul line, stop the clock.

But a couple of plays here and there just didn't go our way. But kept fighting.

Q. Keion, every tough loss you come to face the music, we appreciate that. But how tough was this week knowing that Coach Hop got let go and your season was done? What's the mentality going into this game?

KEION BROOKS JR.: You know, hearing that news sucked, especially coming off a big win against Wazzu. But after we heard the news, we wanted to come together and try to make a run. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

But I'm proud of how we went out and competed and played. We played hard. Just some stuff didn't go our way tonight. But that's how it goes. You're not going to win every game. You're not going to shoot well every game. You're not going to get every loose ball. But we played really, really hard and I'm proud of that.

Q. Your thoughts on USC overall? Clearly healthy finally. Your thoughts on their match-up tomorrow, just quick opinion. And will you accept a bid to the NIT should they invite you?

MIKE HOPKINS: You know what, first part of your question, USC, it's hard, in a season, for a lot of programs that have new players to gel and figure out the combinations, injuries and so many different things that go into a season.

But they've got a good chemistry now, and it seems like they're playing better together. They're really defending, which you can see. And beating us at home and then beating Arizona at home, they've got some good momentum and starting to believe in what they're doing; not that they didn't before, but on the outside you see them really believing and that becomes very dangerous.

I don't think our league gets a lot of credit. I think Arizona is top four teams in the country. We had a lot of teams that struggled early that are really good in league, like UCLA, Cal.

In my seven years, it's probably been the best top-to-bottom league. Anybody can beat anybody on any given night. That's what made this year so much fun.

So the next game, I'm going to have to watch, but both teams are high level. They've got high-level talent. Both systems are really good, but certain guys are going to have to make some plays and that will probably determine the difference.

If we get invited to the NIT, I would like to play. But I think the big thing is it's going to be up to the guys wanting to go out there and compete. Playing in the postseason is an honor, for most. Not our standard, but the honor.

Q. We all know how passionate you are. And I know this just has been kind of maybe a little bit of a tough week, a little bit of relief as well. But what's next for Coach Hop?

MIKE HOPKINS: Great places are made by having and being around great people. And I've been very lucky in my seven years at the University of Washington, very blessed. He decided to come back. It's all about the people. Places are just places. Great people make great places. And we have great people.

And the program, the athletic program that Jen Cohen helped build -- the culture, the coaches all backing each other, really special to be a part of that. She gave me a chance. I wish I had some more wins and losses -- more wins, less losses.

But I'm really proud of getting through COVID, getting kids, helping kids graduate, making a difference in their lives. That's really what it's about in college athletics.

I'm emotional. I didn't want to cry, but this is who I am. Like it or lump it.

This guy (referring to Keion Brooks), to see a guy -- I told him -- he's going to hate me for saying this -- but the biggest upset in your life, your whole life, if people said you're going to be one-and-done, two-and-done and no one ever talked about you graduating.

He's going to graduate. He's going to get drafted. He's one of the most improved players, not just -- I think if we had more wins he would have been player of the year in the league.

To see the growth and the professionalism of this young man, the leadership of this has been just a joy. Like I told the group in there, we'll be connected for the rest of our lives. That's what makes being part of a team so special.

I'm a UW fan. I just will be for the rest of my life, just given the opportunity and representing the university as best as I could. And so thank you all for being great to me, Percy, Kim, Chris, Jen, Andy, Jan, Sammy. It's been a great run and just appreciate you being great people to me. Thank you.

Q. KB, just maybe a word or two about your hopes and how tough or difficult was this sort of week kind of knowing everything that you know now?

KEION BROOKS JR.: It was extremely tough. I love Coach Hop and the whole staff and everybody for giving me an opportunity to find myself again. I came here and I wasn't the most confident, and every day, I just be walking around, Coach Hop just telling me, you're a beast, you're this, you're that. He just kept pushing life and confidence back into me. And it got to the point where I started to believe it again myself.

And I owe everything to him and the staff and the support staff who are always taking care of me every day. It sucks. I wish it could have turned out differently, but everything happens for a reason. You learn from everything, and I'm happy I decided to come here. I'm happy I decided to come back. Everything that has happened here I'm going to take with me the rest of my life.

One of the best decisions I ever made in my life, I met some amazing people. And like hes said, we're going to be connected forever. But this man right here, I'll do anything for him. And I just can't say anymore than I love him. I love everybody that's been a part of this.