We were going to play these games even if it was in a rice patty or a cotton field. If there is anything we can do when we are down there, we are going to do it.

I really think when we can play at home for a while, we will be a great team. Players step up every day, and we will need that improvement to continue.

The best way to not let Yao Ming beat you is to not play against him 82 games.

We play a schedule of 30 to 35 games, and we've been told we're comparable to some small colleges and community colleges. We have to make cuts because so many players turn out. All of our guys have solid backgrounds in high school or community college ball.

We were not playing as well as we needed to, and part of that was being inconsistent because of the weather and being on the road so much. The team is starting to put everything together now, though, and we will need that when tournament time arrives.

There were a lot of good things. We competed really well. I don't like how we let things go in the first game ? we got a little tight ? but we rebounded well. There was some great sophomore leadership.