"I want to thank my family. Mom, Dad, you taught me to be strong, and told me that life's not always fair, but to be tough. And we all know we went through some tough times and became strong.

"The next thing I want to do is thank these fans, right here. However many games I played in this fieldhouse, there were 16,300 people screaming for us through thick and thin, and I appreciate that. And for those students who camped out there every game, hey man, you do not know how much these 14 guys appreciate that, and we thrive on that. Ya'll are the best fans in the country, baby.

"And then the coaching staff. Ya'll have been on me for four years, trying to push me and make me the best. And Coach Williams, people don't understand how much time we spend. And not only to you teach us basketball, but you teach us how to be a person, how to make good decisions, and how to stay away from bad decisions in the four toughest years of our lives. I don't know if people around the town realize that you're not just a basketball coach, but you're a great person, a great leader, and you're the mayor of Bracketville.

"The last thing I want to say, people always ask me, 'What are you going to miss the most? Are you sad?' It feels really good right now. I'm not really sad. It's a good time. But the thing I'm gonna miss the most is those guys right there. Those 14 guys. We get to know each other so well. People think we just play basketball together, but we spend 22 out of the 24 hours together. I love you, and I already miss you guys.

"Last year, Ryan stood up here and made a promise, and said that we were gonna make a run, and we made a great run, and played with our hearts last year. I'm not going to guarantee you any victories, but I will guarantee you these 14 guys will come out and compete and play the hardest that we can play for these last games in March, and we're gonna do the best we can for you Kansas fans."