NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST FOUR

March 18, 2024

Joel Scott

Isaiah Stevens

Nique Clifford

UD Arena

Colorado State Rams

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by the Colorado State Rams.

Q. Isaiah, talk about what you have accomplished this year?

ISAIAH STEVENS: It's great to be a part of it. It's not every year you get to have this opportunity, so the fact that we were able to put together a resumé this season that allows us to be in this position is something we are not taking for granted. And hopefully we can get this thing going but it starts right here in Dayton first and foremost.

JOEL SCOTT: I'm super excited. Obviously the first year here at CSU. We've worked super hard to be get where we're at and exciting time. And we're just excited to play.

NIQUE CLIFFORD: Like both of them said, we're excited to be here. This is a goal we set out at the beginning of the year to accomplish. So we're here now. We're not finished. We've got a lot more to prove but definitely just happy to be here.

Q. Isaiah, you guys as a team it's team together, but also Niko has a phrase: Be a cockroach. Considering your schedule the last 24 hours, how have you felt being a cockroach and how have you handled it?

ISAIAH STEVENS: I feel we've handled it really well. Be a cockroach is just being able to adapt any situation that's thrown our way, not flinching at the doorsteps of adversity.

So I feel like we've done a really good job of just picking up on the schedule, picking up on the game plan and just putting our best foot forward regardless of the hand we're dealt. And we're going to be ready.

Q. What's the weirdest thing you've probably had to do to get ready to get out here between the Selection Show and getting on a plane at 9:30?

ISAIAH STEVENS: I think it comes down to making sure you get the laundry done. We were just in Vegas for the majority of the week, so just making sure you kind of reset and have everything you need.

But me and my roommate, we were able to get everything situated.

Q. Joel, your thoughts on the last 24 hours?

JOEL SCOTT: Definitely been pretty busy. Like Zay said, it was just getting the laundry done was kind of the most important thing to do last night.

But other than that, I think everyone's kind of -- it's more just excitement. We're all ready to go besides, again, the laundry, but we're just excited to be here.

NIQUE CLIFFORD: It was a quick turnaround. We was just in Vegas, like we said. Had a good little run out there. And now we made this quick trip to Dayton, Ohio. It was definitely a long ride here, but definitely glad we're here now.

And just excited to get on the floor. And all the new guys that haven't experienced this yet, just excited for them to be able to be a part of this as well.

Q. When you're looking at transferring, I'm assuming getting to this point is one of the things you're looking for in a roster and a program as that being a possibility. What's it like now that you are here and you guys have reached one of the steps you hope to do this year?

JOEL SCOTT: It's pretty special. For me, when I was transferring, when I first decided to come here, it was pretty evident we had a pretty talented team. So this was definitely one of our goals to be where we are. It's really exciting to see that kind of come all together and exciting to see what we're going to be able to do with it.

NIQUE CLIFFORD: Going through that process, you are looking at all different things, individually where you can succeed and then somewhere where you're going to be part of a winning program.

I had a good feeling about coming to CSU, playing with a guy like Isaiah who has the resumé, Coach Medved, they've already been to the NCAA Tournament before. I knew we were capable, and I knew we'd have the roster to do so.

You never know when you get there what it's actually going to be like. But right when I got there, I knew we were going to be able to make a run.

I feel like the season went pretty well for us. We didn't win all the games that we expected to win, but definitely had a great season, and we're here. So definitely excited to start this. I've said that too many times.

Q. The scout on Virginia, what jumps out to you guys as keys that you need to focus on tomorrow?

ISAIAH STEVENS: Super talented group, very connected group, one that's disciplined on both ends of the floor. They're going to run their stuff all the way through. They're super smart as far as what they're reading, what they're looking for, how they get you in rotation.

And on the defensive end that's where they make their bread and butter. They're super sound, tough, physical. They understand what the rotations look like, how to keep you on the perimeter and not get themselves into too many rotation situations. It's definitely going to be a tall task.

JOEL SCOTT: Like Isaiah said, they're super solid on both ends of the court, but on the defensive end it's kind of what they do. So just staying mentally tough and knowing that they're going to be playing us tough down there. And just keep looking for what we want and keep working on what we do is going to be most important not getting frustrated with how they're playing us.

NIQUE CLIFFORD: Very good defensive team, but I feel like for us it's just focusing on what we do. I think sticking to our game plan and running our offense, not letting them get us out of what we do. And then defensively we just gotta guard and play with passion. I think we're going to be just fine, be ready to go, like Zay said.

Q. The fact that you saw that you're going to be facing Virginia, a couple of years ago they were on one side of history, losing to UMBC. And then the next year they won a national championship. Knowing you're going up against an opponent that has made headlines the last couple of years how does it motivate you going into tomorrow?

NIQUE CLIFFORD: It's a great organization that they've put together. They've made a lot of runs through the NCAA Tournament, have a great resumé. Definitely excited to go against a team of that caliber and has the success, history that they do.

So what I said earlier, we've just got to focus on us and stick to our game plan, not let them get out of what we do.

ISAIAH STEVENS: Similar to what Nique said, understanding that they have had a lot of success in the NCAA Tournament. Extremely well-coached, a coach that knows what it takes, what it looks like. He's going to have those guys ready to go.

But it's a great opportunity for us to kind of test ourselves and see where we're at as a program. And these are the games that you live for. At this point there are no cupcakes; every team has done what you're aspiring to do. It's going to be a really fun game.

JOEL SCOTT: Definitely exciting playing a team like Virginia. Again, you obviously have seen them, headlines, multiple different reasons. But it's cool to play a team that's had success and that's been there and done that, and kind of go up and see what we can do out there.

Q. You're one of six teams in the MWC that are playing in this tournament. How are you able to stick to your plan and not get cluttered in with those other teams and be able to show yourself?

JOEL SCOTT: I think everything comes down to us and what we do. So focusing on our game plan and just how we go about things, I think, is the most important thing going forward.

It's an exciting time, and it's really cool to be one of those six teams in the Mountain West making the tournament. We're just going to enjoy it and go from there.

ISAIAH STEVENS: Similar to what Joel said, it was a really strong year for the league, high-level basketball all throughout the conference. But just understanding we are who we are. We've got to just focus on ourselves at this point, try to go out there and put together a great game plan that's going to allow us to go out there and find success tomorrow night.

But it was fun competing in that league, though. It was really competitive.

NIQUE CLIFFORD: It's like they said, it speaks to just how good our league was, but I think that sets us up for success going into this tournament, playing those high-level teams. We're going to be battle tested and battle-ready when we get into these high-level high environment games.

But you want to see the Mountain West teams do well in this tournament because it helps the league but we've gotta go do what we do.

Q. You and Patrick all started your career at a small level, and now you're at the Big Dance. Does that hold any special value to you?

JOEL SCOTT: Yes, it's actually kind of crazy. This is what you dream of as a kid. So actually being here seeing March Madness everywhere and just kind of seeing the court when we kind of walked by it's just kind of surreal.

It's kind of (indiscernible), it's been a real cool experience. But it's an awesome experience, and I'm just excited to kind of get going. I'm kind of antsy, ready for tomorrow night to get here.

Q. Joel, two times going to the Final Four in Division II. And now here with March Madness. Do you have a favorite moment of the tournament?

JOEL SCOTT: I mean, I think all of it is pretty cool. I don't know if there's -- I think being at Division II and being in the Elite Eight, that first Elite Eight game I played in Division II was probably one of my favorite moments. And beating the 1 seed in that tournament was probably for me my favorite moment.

Q. Isaiah you were able to experience it in 2022 with the Rams. Did you have a favorite moment, player or just a fan growing up?

ISAIAH STEVENS: My favorite player, when it comes to March Madness, was Shabazz Napier. I was a big UConn fan. Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb and all those guys were extremely fun to watch, extremely dynamic as a playmaker.

I remember me and my brother and my dad spending a lot of time following their journeys throughout March. And hopefully we'll be able to create some of that same magic.

Q. Nique, interesting that you spent time at Colorado. Your favorite moment?

NIQUE CLIFFORD: I think just getting to experience that my freshman year I didn't really play a lot but I got in at the end and scored. It was a crazy, crazy moment for me just growing up watching these tournaments.

I'd say growing up I think I watched Buddy Hield when he made his tournament run and was going off. He was fun to watch and I became a fan of him. I'd say that was probably my best memory.

Q. Speaking of Colorado, how has this year been for you to come over to CSU? And are you hoping to maybe run into some old teammates tomorrow?

NIQUE CLIFFORD: It's been a great move for me. Everyone's taken me in with open arms. It's been a successful year, and it's just been a lot of fun. I've been enjoying everything just trying to take it all in.

But I'm excited for those guys. I'm glad they had the success they had this year and were able to make it into the tournament.

I'm sure I'll probably run into them while I'm out here. But I still keep in touch with a lot of those guys and just want to see them do well.

Q. Nique and Joel, you both are from Colorado. What's it been like to come to March Madness representing your home state and being able to play in your home state all season?

NIQUE CLIFFORD: It's been an honor playing at Colorado State. You get a lot of family and friends that come and watch you play. You just get to put on for the state that you grew up in. So it definitely means a lot in that regard.

To be at this stage, you've got a lot of people texting you, calling you, telling you just how happy and proud they are to see you be in this moment. So it's definitely really cool to be able to represent that and be a part of something like that.

JOEL SCOTT: Kind of like what Nique was saying, it really does mean a lot and it is really special to be able to have family to come up to almost every home game and just kind of represent where you're from where you're traveling or wherever you go to, it's a really cool experience.

It's just been fun kind of to be back home and represent Colorado, like you said. It's been special.