This was just the kind of game we need at this point. Everybody got to play, and we got to rest some of the starters and that is good in the stretch we are in.

We had to play all 16 minutes of the second half because Coach Hardy and his guys are really good. It was a battle.

When we play as a team, this is how we play. I'm thrilled that we started clicking and playing so well. Last year was disappointing, the way we lost (73-44). This year we turned it around and gave them something they never saw before.

We were fortunate to win game one. We didn't play very well, and we squandered a lot of point-scoring opportunities. We really dug ourselves into a hole. Fortunately, Ben got hot; they couldn't handle his serve, and we were able to make up a lot of points in a hurry. That's something we don't do very often, but when we do, it's a pleasant surprise.

He understands that you're not going to win every play, but if you win enough, you're going to win the battle. He's the total package.

We always tell the offensive line to play as a nickel instead of five pennies, and he's understood that since day one. He understands how important it is that those guys work as a unit.