March 9, 2005

2005 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
PRESS CONFERENCE
Wednesday, March 9

HEAD COACH Scott Drew Opening Statement:
"We're very excited to be in the tournament this year, because last year at this time we were at home watching the tournament. We all know you start 0-0 when the tournament starts. We are excited about our opportunity to be here and play in it."

On being in his first Big 12 Tournament:
"I think it's a great experience for our coaching staff, players, and all around. We are building for the future, and this is just another step in the process. Again, in tournament time, it's a different type of atmosphere than in the regular season. It's just one step closer of reaching your goals of wanting to be in the postseason. It's a great building block for all of us."

On their game against Iowa State:
"I think us being a zone team ourselves does help. I think playing a team a second time around does help. It's a situation where we played well for the first 15 minutes of the game up there. After that, they went on a run before half and the game got away from us. It's a great opportunity for us to play a better game against them in a great setting where we can learn from it. I don't know if there are many teams hotter than Iowa State, winning their last nine out of 11 games. They've been on a roll, and have been very effective."

FRESHMAN GUARD Aaron Bruce
On having an upset tomorrow night: "I think it means everything. We've had kind of a hard time toward the end of the Big 12 season and struggling to win games. To sneak a game or two here in the tournament would be amazing. We are just thankful for the opportunity to compete once again. I know Tommy (Swanson) had spoken to me about how miserable it was last year and how bad it was not being able to play. I'm just grateful to have this experience in my first year."

On the impression of the Big 12 Conference:
"I can't speak highly enough about what our coaching staff has done and the experience I've had this year within the conference. Coming from an international game where it's a little slower and a little more bogged down with height and half-court sets. The athleticism and skill level of the Big 12 is something new to me, and I think for a lot of our team. We've had to learn a lot and deal with a lot during the season, but I think we've adapted pretty quickly. The next couple of years are very bright for us."

JUNIOR CENTER Tommy Swanson On playing in the Big 12 Tournament after not playing in it last year:
"It's just a great opportunity to play in the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Myself, and a lot of the other guys that are returning from last year were just miserable this time last year. We were seeing the other teams that we played in the regular season have that great opportunity to come here."

On what he did during the tournament last year:
"I was able to convince Kenny Taylor of Texas to get me some tickets to at least be part of the atmosphere. Although we weren't able to play, I just had to get that feel of what we were missing out on. I told my teammates that this is the opportunity that we will have next year. That was the motivating factor for us this year."