PAC-12 CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 14, 2024

Kyle Smith

Andrej Jakimovski

Myles Rice

Washington State Cougars

Postgame Press Conference

Washington State - 79, Stanford - 62

KYLE SMITH: I thought that was a great effort on our guys. The last three home games we really had to grind and hadn't been as sharp as we can be. And obviously we had a little advantage with them playing overtime game.

But been in those situations where those teams have come out and had a little momentum and been able to sustain that. We warded it off. We got on top of them, and for the most part played really well. Just unselfish.

We had 11 assists, three turnovers at halftime, which is really good for us. We kept them off the 3 the first half, then they got some late when we had a cushion because they were a very explosive team that can make 15, 16 3s.

We're happy to get this one done and we have another one tomorrow night. And hopefully we can come out with the same energy and effort.

Q. You're in the semis for the first time since 2008. Never been in the championship game. Especially this year, everything that's gone on, how much would that mean to you?

KYLE SMITH: It would mean a lot. These guys, there will be a laundry list of how many accomplishments this team has had. That would be another -- we haven't been in five years in the semis, that's great. And to get to the finals would be great.

Obviously our goal is to win it. And we've talked about embracing these. We've got two weeks, we've got another postseason coming. This is how you get better. And hopefully we handle -- it's tough to go back to back. And it's tough mentally as much physically. So just more marks for the program. And couldn't be more proud of the group of guys.

Q. Kyle, you got two fouls on Maxime, taking him out of the game. Was that a specific emphasis?

KYLE SMITH: Always you want to go at him. He's key to what they (lost audio) -- lost Myles for a stretch, or Andrej.

But we want to go inside anyway. And just we thought we had an advantage there. And being able to get those fouls on him is a big, big boost for us.

Q. Andrej, the shoulder seems to be doing a lot better today. How much did that week of rest help you out?

ANDREJ JAKIMOVSKI: Helped out a lot. Like I said the last game, I wasn't able to help the team. But I feel way better. And you can see it out there on the court.

Q. You guys had six different players in double figures scoring. How much fun is it to be part of a game where you've got that many different guys rolling and flowing?

MYLES RICE: It was great. We're an unselfish group. We love to see the next person win. I think that kind of went out and displayed tonight.

We had 18 assists. It's been a long time since we've been in that category. But it was just a great atmosphere for us to share the ball. And you could see everybody get going. So I think if we just keep doing that, the sky's the limit for us.

Q. Stanford just announced they're making a change in coaching. Your reactions that?

KYLE SMITH: Those things hurt. I've known Jerod since he was a high school player, and I coached one of his best friends, Chris Grant (phonetic). We're a tight fraternity. It's not easy. It's part of the game. Sorry to hear that. And wish him the best. He's a good man.

Q. I was wondering, out of all the teams you've coached and all the places, and every year is different, what distinguishes this team do you think? What makes it work?

KYLE SMITH: Obvious one is we've got a point guard that paints his fingernails. (Laughter). Not many teams can boast as that. I've actually seen a few more.

But in all seriousness they've got a lot of energy. Caring for one another. We celebrated our season after we lost to Washington because I wanted to make sure that we keep things in perspective of all we accomplished.

And the first guys I recognized -- I think we have seven returners -- and although we only play three guys that are really playing a lot of minutes, Andrej, Kymany -- and I didn't even acknowledge Myles being a returner because he didn't play any minutes.

But it was, hey, you've done such a great job; how did you -- well, it's because seven guys -- AJ, Rohosy, Ben, Jabe, Kymany --

MYLES RICE: Drej, me --

KYLE SMITH: That group of guys, they knew what the expectations are. That's leadership. Guy like Isaac Jones, they didn't win a lot of games at Idaho. He scored a lot of points. But he's just gotten better and better, because I think the culture is good.

People talk about culture. What is it? It's those guys. They're unsung heroes. They love practices because they get there 30 minutes before practice and do scout stuff. And they're ridiculous attitudes and work ethic.

It's kind of a well-oiled machine. It has a lot to do with our captain and some other guys, too.

And the coaching staff, Coach Shaw and I have been here the whole time. You build on that stuff. We sing our song. Everyone knows the lyrics because we're used to winning. It's good.

Q. Just after a few games of slow starts, how big was it to get out to a good start, have a halftime lead?

KYLE SMITH: We were down 9-7 after the first media. I took that as a win. We're still getting there. I'm yelling at them, like, we're coming up on a 90-point base.

It was good. We settled in there and we pushed -- I was really concerned because I just know you don't want to give a team that had an emotional win don't give them any momentum to keep it going.

It was good. It was something we talked about. It's funny because I don't know who to start at center. We're getting good center play, but Oscar struggled a little and Rueben played great. They kind of handed that off. When we get them both going we're doing good.

Q. Myles, there was talk you're wearing an Aron Baynes jersey right now?

MYLES RICE: It's -- I'll just take it off for you. I gotcha. I got the Baynes. It's on the backside. Just an undershirt, I like to play in long sleeves. And this is the one I wanted to play in today. But Aron Baynes is a special guy. We got these -- our freshman year?

KYLE SMITH: Yeah. Aaron was going through a little physical deal, I think, during COVID or post-COVID. We wanted to honor him, recognize him. He spoke to our team our first year when he was with the Suns. We played Arizona State. What a class act.

And some of the guys have been in this program. And he was part of that with Tony. And those guys really care about -- I get texts from those guys, and Daven Harmeling and Derrick Low. They're investing in this group.

When you put a program together, those are the guys, they care a lot. Everyone does that played in the program. But those guys had some success. They want to see -- all Cougars do -- but they had some success. It's great to see them connecting.

Q. Myles, cut it to 14 with a run, and you guys called a timeout and then you get the steal (indiscernible), how critical was that to snuff out any comeback on their part?

MYLES RICE: We knew they were going to have some type of punch. We saw them do it yesterday against Cal. But I think the main message for us in the huddle was just stay within ourselves, just don't let them -- obviously they went on a run, but don't let it be bigger than what it was.

Once we came out of the huddle we hankered down and got the stops we needed. I think the dunk gave us a little bit more juice. Credit to my teammate. That was playing great defense, I was able to get the steal.

Q. Just getting 21 from Rueben and Kymany together, guys that maybe are more known for their defense, what does it add to your team to get that kind of offensive production from them?

KYLE SMITH: We talk about being unselfish, beating the scout a little bit. They were doubling off Kymany. He's a good cutter, good passer, good post player. It's nice to see him.

We like to post him because we know we have a mismatch. If you go double him then you can make some plays, but he's also good enough to just go score. We call him our French Army knife for a reason. He can play all over the floor. Tonight he was terrific.

Rueben, he's an emerging talent. He's a beast, young guy. Just love to see him -- he gives everyone a little lift when he gets going. He's got a lot of charisma, big emotional guy.