We have notes and quotes from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Darius Morris from today’s media availability as well as this video from MGoBlue on Stu Douglass. Notes and quotes are after the jump.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
- As a young team, can’t look ahead during this stretch. The players think about boosting their tournament resume “all the time,” but you still have to just go out and get this one.
- Was teammates with Josh Selby at a Nike Camp in St. Louis, not real tight with him or anything.
- Trying to channel any additional adrenaline from playing on national TV into energy on defense. Offense will come, just need to get stops. “That’s the key to victory.”
- On Selby: “He just has that killer instinct I think … He really demands the ball in crunch time, when I was playing with him. He really wants to be the guy to take the last shot.”
- Not worried at all about going from a slow-paced to a fast-paced offense. Just comes down to “containing your man.”
Darius Morris
- We’re going to go out there and try to do what we do every game.” Try to approach every game like a big game, whether you’re playing Bryant or Syracuse. Want to go out and play like it’s just another game.
- Last year was exciting, “a lot of energy, a lot of adrenaline pumping.” It was a really fun game to be a part of. Played with them for a while.
- Last year was the first game he didn’t start, motivated him to work and realized he “had a long ways to go.” Realized how much he needed to improve to help the team.
- Going to be very important to stay consistent, especially against such a talented, deep team. “Coach Bill Self has them playing on a really high level.”
- “When we’re really focused on defense, it opens up a lot of stuff for us on offense.” Michigan is at its best making stops and dictating the pace of the game.
- “A lot of times, you can be playing hard but not smart.” It’s key for everyone to be “mentally there” for all 40 minutes.
- Against Wisconsin, foul trouble got him out of rhythm, also was taken out for some mistakes he made. “Didn’t really get to my usual comfort level out there on the court.” Needs to be able to adjust his game to playing with fouls.