NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - NORTH CAROLINA VS OLE MISS

March 20, 2025

Jaemyn Brakefield

Matthew Murrell

Fiserv Forum

Ole Miss Rebels

Media Conference

Q. Welcome to both of you. Want to know what you think about what you guys accomplished this season. I know there was a little bit of chatter about one so-called expert saying that you guys were frauds and that you were going to be an early exit in the tourney. Does hearing something like that motivate you, or do you guys block the excess noise out?

JAEMYN BRAKEFIELD: We just block it out. We try to be the best version of ourselves. We've been trying to be ourselves throughout this whole year and a better version of ourselves. So just blocking out all the noise this week and this weekend and just sticking to us.

MATTHEW MURRELL: Obviously, as competitors, something that motivates us. At the end of the day, we're trying to play the best basketball possible to get through the weekend in hopes of making it to next weekend.

Q. Jaemyn, for both you guys. You've been at Ole Miss for a long time. To get to the tourney, how does it feel? What does it mean to you?

JAEMYN BRAKEFIELD: Both five-year players. So this will be our first year in the tournament, we're going to soak up all the information in this weekend, and we're really going to take advantage of the opportunity.

MATTHEW MURRELL: This being our first year, trying to take advantage of the opportunity, trying to play the best basketball we can for the next month.

Q. What have you seen on tape from North Carolina?

JAEMYN BRAKEFIELD: They're a great team. They've got a lot of great guys. They played in a good league in the ACC. So just continue to, as a team, watch the film and get to know them better before game time.

MATTHEW MURRELL: Just a team that likes to get out in transition. They like to play fast, very good offensive team and just sound. So we're going to make sure we're sound on defense and make sure we're getting back in transition.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Good luck tomorrow.