Re: Coach on with Al shortly...
Here is what I could get typing as fast as I could. I missed some stuff in the middle of each question, but this is a good portion of it.
On Alaska (assorted quotes)
"It wasn't a good experience for the Sooners, man."
"We have a long way to go as a team."
"Should've played a few more home games before going to Alaska, but didn't have the time. (Said tournament was set in stone before he got there).
On the defense
"It's been something that's been very surprising to me...just how poor we are defensively. It's a lot of different things, a lot of different reasons why. The main reason is focus and want-to."
On if any of the freshmen played defense in high school
"Probably not. I can speak for me, I know I didn't. Tiny didn't and Tommy didn't. Pledger and Drew did a little bit. It's something that's foreign to them. I think what's happened is that those guys are working hard, but it's nowhere near how hard they need to work. This trip to Alaska has opened their eyes."
On why Willie didn't play against Nicholls State
"It was just a situation where Willie did not practice on Friday the day prior to Nicholls State. And because he didn't practice, I didn't play him.
On how to turn around the defensive performance
"The main thing is being able to practice."
(He went on to talk about how their schedule hasn't been consistent because of the closeness of the games together and travel.)
"We've been able to come back and have two good practices, so hopefully that translates into improvement."
On Rotnei Clarke
"The best shooter, the absolute best. There's no one in college basketball, maybe not in the word, shooting the ball like he is. It's pretty mind-boggling when every defense is geared to stop him and not let him shoot three's."
On if Warren will guard Clarke
"There will be times when Willie's guarding him, and we'll give him some different looks." (He said more on this, but I wasn't quick enough to type it up)
On the positives this season
"Not many, to be honest with you (laughs). I think Steven Pledger's done a good job. That's something that's been a little bit surprising. I think Tiny has been good, but he can do more. The kid's a freshman and he's averaging (missed exactly what he said here) but in my mind if he really went after it and got physical and changes his approach, he's a guy that could be averaging 17 and 14 right now."
On Tommy-Mason Griffin
"Gotta value the ball better. Gotta play with more energy all of the time. I think those guys are too cool sometimes. Cool is diving on the floor, cool is taking a charge and diving for loose balls. That's cool to me. I think some of our guys have the wrong idea of what's cool." (Again, said more but I missed it)
On Tony Crocker
"Been good at times, but we need him to be more consistent. Tony, Willie and Cade are three intrical parts of a team that went to an Elite Eight. They need to be consistent with how they work, how they carry themselves. (Went on to talk about how those three have been through the wars and need to help the younger guys get through this. Talked about Tony having experience on the team that struggled when he was a freshman.)
On if he'll talk to Bob Knight when he comes to town for Big Monday
"He probably won't talk to me (laughs)."
* Said Blake has reached out and talked to some of the players on the team.
I missed a bunch of other stuff. Sorry.