Chris West, our strength coach, said it was our best workout we've had in three months. It was no nonsense The time was short, but the attention-getting was there.

Rudy had perhaps his best all-around game. He was unselfish. Certainly he could have scored 30 himself very easily but instead had eight assists, five-six blocks, four steals.

I think clearly this is the best league in the country.

He's the best natural scorer of all the big kids. He's not the biggest by any stretch, but at any time he can take up space, he can move people without pushing, just by using his body, and you can't move him. He's a very difficult kid to move, especially with his hard work and passion for the game.

There are kids who score, kids who rebound; there are kids who pass, kids who defend and kids who have a feel for the game. He has all those attributes. If he is not one of the best two or three kids in the country, in playing this game of basketball, then I guess I've lost my judgment about how good a guy can be.

We're rooting for everybody we beat. That's the best way to put it.

No matter how his shot looks - funny to all of us - or if someone is right in his face, it doesn't matter. He only sees orange, that little round thing. As long as he's squared up, he'll make shots. He's too good a shooter. And he really works so hard at it. This, by the way, is far and away his best season.

If he's not one of the best two or three kids in the country, then I guess I've lost my judgment about how good a guy can be.

He certainly has had his best year. I would have bit my tongue off last year if I said, ?Let's leave Rashad in for defense.' He's a weapon that very few teams can keep on the bench.