The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
01.21.2016 | Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball players talk about preparation for game at No. 3/3 Kansas on Saturday (1 p.m. CT, ESPN)
Members of the Men's Basketball team met with local media today to discuss Saturday's game at No. 3/3 Kansas and recap Wednesday's win at No. 6/7 West Virginia.
Junior Forward Shaquille Cleare
On how it felt to get a big win on the road at West Virginia: It was great. It was a great atmosphere. We knew we were facing adversity on the road. I think we played loose last night and played with a lot of confidence. Guys were ready to go. When the game was tied, we didn't panic at all. When we faced adversity, we just played on.
On team's late arrival to the game: If that's why we won the game, we should show up late every game (laughs). The guys were pumped up from the get-go. It was going to be a dogfight all game. Those guys (West Virginia) are aggressive and have a good program. Our guys stayed aggressive and won the game.
On the team's current mindset: Basketball is a funny sport. We just have to get the ball in the hoop more than the other team. These past three games are really showing us what we can be as a team. We have to continue to grow and get better. We can't get complacent. We had some victories, but those are behind us now. We have to get ready for the ones that are ahead of us.
Junior Guard Kendal Yancy
On team's thoughts heading into Kansas game: Kansas is a great team. We're just going to go out there and do our best and do what we've been doing, which is playing as hard as we possibly can. And we'll try to get a win.
On his improved play recently: I had to stop thinking about my shot so much. I had to think about my teammates and think about what the team needs more than what I need. I'm just trying to be the best teammate I can be.
On conversations he had with coaches: I was just asking, "what can I do to help this team." It's a very talented team and scoring isn't an issue, so I have to find other ways to try to impact this team. [Coach Shaka Smart] just told me - the number one thing that he always tells me - is 'be nasty." Being nasty can mean a variety of things, like rebounding, getting on the ground, doing the little things and just doing everything possible. So that's what I'm trying to do, just take his word and be nasty.
Senior Guard Javan Felix
On showing up late and getting the victory at West Virginia: We had never been that late to a game before, so that was a little different. But other than that, we just locked in when we got there and tried to execute the game plan. We did a really good job staying poised against a team that forces the most turnovers in the country. I think we did a really good job being patient.
On going into Kansas with a three-game winning streak: It definitely helps us because we know what we did to get those wins and what we need to carry over or work on. That's definitely a focus going into this Kansas game, because they're a really good team with a really good environment. We just have to be on our A-game and come out aggressive and loose like we did against West Virginia.
On team's attitude right now: We're not relaxed. We can't be relaxed in this league. We're feeling better about our roles now that Cam [Ridley] is gone and focusing on what we need to do more to compensate for that. But we're still working each and every day to figure out ways to get wins without Cam.
