I could feel they were on top of their game. The only way we could ever get going was to get on top of our game. When you play a team as good as South Alabama, you can't start off as poorly as we did.

He's a player with a purpose in life. Bobby has never strayed. He came here with a purpose, to get his degree, to go back to Chicago and work with underprivileged kids, to help them out of situations that he came from.

I didn't tell our kids this, but this wasn't a do or die game for us. We had to win two of our last four to get a bye (in the conference tournament) and now we've got to win two of three.

Because Josh was ready, he was a difference maker. It's a sign of his attitude by staying ready because he might not get in. I'm proud of him for that.

Their confidence factor is at a high level because they've won so many games as of late. They beat South Alabama and knocked both Arkansas teams out of byes. Not to mention they've got seven players and three starters back from an NCAA Tournament team.

They beat us soundly in the regular season up there. They got up early and we never made a run. They have good guards and a 6-foot-9 post player.

That's the biggest thing we may have established. When you win two games at home, it means you're going to be more competitive at home.

It was a team effort. Bobby didn't have to carry us tonight.

It was a tremendous block. Their guy came out of nowhere and left his man to block it.

It's early in the season. We aren't thinking that we are a good team yet, but rather a solid one. It is more important right now that we set the tone that we will be tough to beat at home.