Opening Brad Statement: Happy to be here. Honor to be here. One of 16 that are still playing. Opportunity to win the NC. Houston is great. Played in championship game last year. "One of the legends in the game Kelvin Sampson is their coach" (Barf). He gets his teams to play hard. We have to play well...can't flinch. We're up for the challenge and opportunity...should be a hard fought game.

On Houston "muck up style"...how did Florida scrimmage help you guys: They're different...Houston isn't as big as Florida was, Houston is more guard dominated. Guards take 60% of their FG attempts. Rebounding similar...Florida was good. You have to meet that physicality and tenacity. Houston does good at backtaps. But we're a good rebounding team as well. We have to make them hit us as well...we learned that in the florida scrimmage.

On Brad's thoughts on Flemmings: Very similar to our approach with Keaton...turned the reigns over. Rightfully so...Flemmings is a tremendous athlete and big shot maker, just like Keaton. They're both mature beyond their years in terms of poise. Success for both of them are paralleled in terms of growth and impact on their teams.

On any issues with "fairness" of playing Houston in Houston: Brad could care less. Brad was a juco coach back in the day. Drove on 16 passenger vans. Dodge city kansas to mesa AZ for a basketball tournament. If you told Juco Brad he'd have the chance to play Houston in the Sweet 16, he'd crawl to get there. If we want to beat them, we have to play great no matter the venue. Same for them. We've won on the road...successful in the BT. Brad doesn't pay too much attention to venue...just greatful for the opportunity.

Roughy on no fouling Illini and Houston bad numbers getting to the line: They're gonna shoot a lot of 3's...we're going to have to do what we do and guard the basketball without fouling. We practice not fouling. If they don't go (Houston), they don't go.

On when Brad knew Keaton was good: This question has been asked a billion times, so I'll just add new stuff. Keaton came in at 178, now he's 192. We knew he was good, but didn't know when. Now we know. Been a joy to have on the team. Great teammate, wonderful human being.

On Houston's Sharp and his defense turning turnovers into transition...how do we balance that: We've done a pretty good job not turning the ball over. They bring 2 to the ball in every ball screen and post up, and you have to make great decisions. Play advantage/disadvantage basketball. Make good decisions. Houston capitalizes on turnovers and hunt threes in transition with guys that can make them (Sharp, Uzan). We need to protect the ball.

On the dynamic of the twins on the court...what's that like: It's been "cooking with gas"...two 7 footers that can shoot it. Highly intelligent players that can set screens. Haven't played them together as much as we've liked due to injury stuff. Z is scary athletic, block shots, Tomi is more physical. Offensively they both shoot it and make good decisions.

On rebounding...how can you capitalize against Houston: no one specific thing. 40 minute game. Mental focus to block guys out. Their bigs are elite at wedging and being physical. We do the same. Match them for 40 minutes. Point of pride...we'll see who does it better.

Players questions (Kylan, Jake, Big Z)

For Jake...when you transferred from Mercer, what is this moment like for you: Great. This was a goal after transferring...being able to compete at the highest level. Goal is to go further.

On Houston on film and their rebounding/tipping...what do you see: (Kylan)...Coach Sampson and Underwood have the same philosophy...crash the glass, rebounding...just gonna be about boxing out...we'll be fine, we've done it all year. Will just be another day.

On fairness of playing Houston in Houston: (Big Z) Not worried about the crowd...we play Houston, we don't play the fans. (Kylan) We know there will be red and white in the crowd, but our fans travel really well too...we'll see what it looks like, but we can't let it phase us. (Jake) it is what it is...they're the higher seed. We've played at tough places on the road this year.

Roughy: Kylan or Jake on Z's big dunk, has his head gotten too big, and what was it like to see Illini basketball spread over the internet: (Kylan)...his head didn't get too big. That's Z...he makes highlight plays like that. That play was crazy...7 footer gonna dunk it like that. Big Z being Big Z. (Jake)...he does that all the time in practice...first time in a game. It should be blowing up...what he did was "pretty freaky".

To Kylan...their guards, Sharp, Uzan, veteran guys...thoughts: They're some of the best guards in the nation...know how to win with NC experience last year. It will be a great matchup for us. We'll continue to watch film, figure out tendencies, be ready to play tomorrow.

And then all of them pushed their chairs in.