courtesy of Jack Alden

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"You hate to say this about an athletic event, but it was almost like a war out there. Kids on both teams were playing as hard as they could possibly play. It was very physical. It was never dirty, but it was very physical. It was very aggressive, but it was never dirty. When we play against Kelvin's teams, that's the way I think the games are always gonna be. I like to think that I'll compete, and I know that he'll compete, and our kids will do the same thing. "I was really, really pleased with a number of things. At one point in the second half we built it from a five-point halftime lead up to 22, and it was like a clinic offensively because we were getting every shot we wanted. Their foul trouble had something to do with that because they couldn't be as aggressive as they wanted to be. But we were really good during that point, then all of a sudden they score 10 or 12 in a row and we were not very good. Missed a layup, missed two free throw opportunities at one point during that stand. Then came back and made some good plays. Got it inside. Nick made one inside. I think the biggest play of the game to me that sort of stemmed the tide was Kirk Hinrich's tip-in. They had made a big run, and he gets the tip-in. The only negative thing was we didn't finish the game by going to the free throw line and making free throws. Some games we shoot 'em great, some games we don't shoot 'em as well. But both teams fought really, really hard. I was really impressed with what we did on the backboards, particularly in the first half. The second half, I thought they dominated the boards. "We all like flying dunks and three pointers and everything, but that coach and myself, we believe that if you don't guard people you don't win. I think the kids on both teams competed like crazy, so it's not gonna be a pretty game. "They're really good. I told Kelvin before the game, I don't think I've ever seen a team take four new guys and get them integrated into their style of play, really playing like a team. Selvy, McGhee, and Hollis are the only three guys that we played against last year. Everybody else is new, and that's just a fantastic coaching job by Kelvin getting those kids to buy into what he wanted to do and to do it so early, and really play so well defensively, as well. "It's a happening in the fieldhouse just about every night. The crowd has been sensational all year long. I came here early with the doughnuts this morning. The students were waiting for the doors to be opened so they could get in line. I think it's great the way our fans support us. The crowd was sensational, and I think it really did help our team, particularly on the defensive end."

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