HEAD COACH GREGG MARSHALL ON…
…Having the perpetual "chip-on-your-shoulder" feeling.
"That's all I know. I'm just glad (the selection panel) didn't forget about us. I was starting to think they might forget about us and not put us in at all. We have a chance to go to Indianapolis (and) play Dayton. I've admired their program for years, and I'm familiar with their arena from last year. Their fans were very hospitable while we were there…I'm just glad we're in. It should be a great game."
…What the team's been doing with the week off.
"We watched highlights of our games against Bradley, Missouri State and Illinois State from the (conference) tournament. What (the players) do in their free time – how much they watch basketball - is up to them. I've been watching quite a bit (of basketball). I've enjoyed my week off. I've had some beautiful meals in town; spent time with my family. We've had two or three days off to try to heal our bodies, clear our minds, and now we have an opponent. Tomorrow's practice will probably have a little more 'pop' to it. But we've practiced hard. The days we've gone, we haven't gone long, but they've been a typical practice for us."
…If Illinois State won in St. Louis to get in, would WSU have gotten in?
"Who knows, who knows. You're number eight in the KenPom. You're a ten-seed, but you're No. 20 in the country…Somehow, 20 divided by four equals ten. But that's okay. That's the way it's been for a long time. I don't know what we'd do if we were a really good seed most of the time. The year we got the one seed, we drew Kentucky (in the second round), who was an eight. That was probably another mistake…but we're in. No matter who you play at this point, they're going to be champions. They're going to be really good. I'm not going to focus on that. I'm going to focus on trying to stop Scoochie (Smith) and the Dayton Flyers."
…How WSU has been able to compete with higher-seeded teams.
"Because we're really good…I don't have any reason other than our guys play really hard, they play together and they play defense. They play on both ends. They're coachable, and they care."
…The South Region, as a whole.
"Well, I look at Dayton first. That's my focus. So many crazy things happen to a bracket. I remember the year we were a one seed, our bracket had Kentucky, and then we had Louisville, Michigan and Duke on our side, just to get to the Final Four. Now you've North Carolina, Kentucky and UCLA. I think (CBS) said there's 24 combined National Championships between those three. If we win this year, that'll be 25. If we have to go through them, so be it. You're going to play great teams, there's no way around it. That's why it's a great tournament. But my focus is on Dayton, and the staff will deal with Kentucky or Northern Kentucky, and we'll go from there."
...When/if he's watched any Dayton games.
I've seen them a little bit. They have a forward who I really liked that drove it really strong to the basket.. I'm familiar with Scoochie, the point guard, and Archie Miller's been one of the best young coaches in our business for a long time. He's built that program, he's been loyal to that program and they've continued to be really good."
…The team's reaction during the Selection Show.
"Well, I was a little concerned for Markis (McDuffie), he was worried that they might've forgotten about us. I assured him that that probably wasn't going to happen, but he kept saying 'stop playing, stop playing, where are we going to be?' Who, when and where, that's all they wanted to know.
ZACH BROWN ON…
…The best part of the Tournament, besides the games.
"Just the environment. It's electric everywhere you go…the environment is amazing. In all my years, this is the most fun I've ever had playing basketball. I've never seen anything like it. I'm excited to be in that position again."
…Advice for young players/newcomers who are new to the Tournament.
"…We're going to treat it like any other game. Just take it one game at a time, stay level-headed, do what you need to do in practice, and get ready for (Dayton)."
MARKIS McDUFFIE ON…
…The "Rust vs. Rest" factor, having not played since last Sunday's MVC Final.
"We just know when game time comes, it's time to lock in. You can't take plays off. It's the Tournament now, so everyone is playing hard, play-by-play. Everyone wants to advance."
…What he enjoys most about the Tournament, besides playing.
"Extending our season with our teammates, our brothers. A lot of people are at home wishing they could be in the Tournament, and the fact that we've got a longer season ahead of us and can spend more time with each other is great."
...Being a No. 10 seed.
"It's cool. We're going to be ready. Coach (Marshall) is going to put us in the best position to win. I didn't hear him say anything about the seeding, but we're all excited. We're very excited to play against high-major teams. You don't always get many chances at that. I feel like all year, we've been preparing ourselves for this moment, and I think now that the time is here, we're ready to be locked-in and focused."
LANDRY SHAMET ON…
...What the team did with its week off between MVC Tournament and Selection Sunday
"We took a couple days off after the (conference) tournament. We're getting back to work now, so just remaining competitive in practices – which we've been doing – and keeping our preparation the same as it's always been."
…If there's a chip-on-the-shoulder feeling.
"It's been kind of par for the course. This whole year, we're supposed to have fallen off. The downfall of Wichita State. Armageddon, basically… I think everybody here already has that chip. That's the unique thing about these guys. Coach (Marshall) recruits those kinds of guys with that, and enhances that vibe when they get here. Obviously, we thought we were higher than (a ten-seed), so I guess that will add to that."
…The South Region, overall.
"Our bracket's really loaded. We've got a lot of good teams. You can't really look too far ahead. My full attention – everyone's full attention - is on Dayton. We know we have to come out and do what we got to do against them."
