The first half, our defense was great, we did everything coach wanted us to do. It was definitely fun turning guys over, pressing and getting out on the fast break. It's the way coach wanted us to play. Now we just have to go out and get better.

I really don't know how the freshmen are reacting. They don't really understand right now how the tournament is and how we're in last place.

It lets them know we can be in there and we can win close games. Don't be scared, just get in there with confidence.

It's been a long time. I don't want to be a selfish guy. I've been a point guard most of my life and I like to pass a lot. This is new to me.

It's a little pressure, but the freshmen really don't understand yet. I'm not sure they realize we're in last place in the Big East (actually tied for 12th) and we really need to win some games right now.

It really wasn't a big deal to me, but I guess those guys wanted to see it so I took it hard to the basket.

They're still the same old Cincinnati. Tough, hard-nosed kids. They push the ball a little more, but they still get on the glass and bump every cutter going through. They're just tough guys.

This is the best we're playing all year. We're peaking at the right time. We're so together. We're all brothers out there.

Coach told us not to worry about our shots not falling. He wanted us to win this game on defense, and that's what we did.

Coach wanted us to have a game like this, to get out and get after people at the defensive end. We did that in the first half, but we kind of slacked off in the second half.