Howland Phone Conference
On keeping the team from getting over-hyped:
Howland: "They're all big games as far as I'm concerned. It will be an electric atmosphere, because it's the last game. I want our guys to be excited. This is what you play for. To play against a great team in Arizona."
On the conference having two powers - UCLA and Arizona - doing well:
Howland: "As far as I'm concerned, its great. I'm speaking for us. We've had a really good last two-thirds of our season. I'm excited for our players. This is the time of year that's very fun as we get towards the end."
On doing things different against Derrick Williams:
Howland: "He played well against us the first game. He had 22 points, really did a good job shooting the ball. He's a fantastic player - when you look at his stats, he's shooting 67 percent from 3 for the season. That is stunning. sixty-seven percent from 3? There's really no easy answer to solving him. He's really good. He leads the country in getting to the free throw line. He's just a great all-around player."
On Arizona's other shooters coming up big for them:
Howland: "They shoot 44 percent as a team from three in conference games. That is really an incredible stat. They're far and away the best 3-point shooting team. In conference games, the three top shooters are all from Arizona. If you try to double (Williams), he's passing out to a number of guys."
On Arizona coming with a little something extra after losing to USC:
"It's tough either way. They win last night and it just fuels the fact they're really good, they've done a great job winning on the road. They're going to be up and ready to play night in, night out."
On the Blue Out:
"I think it's great. I found out about it earlier in the week, and that's always fun. Whatever helps get the fans excited, I'm for."
On Zeek Jones having a chip on his shoulder after struggling against Arizona the last game:
"I don't think so. I don't think he'll have a chip on his shoulder. I hope he plays how he did last night. The whole thing for a player to focus on is giving the biggest effort they can give. Its late February, these guys have been working hard at honing their skills all year long. If the effort is there, you hope the rest can work itself out."
Great stuff, as usual, Jon. Thanks!
It really is amazing how they are so good from the 3 and how good Derrick Williams is. I hope the new and improved Joshua Smith has the fire to not let Derrick Williams posterize him like he did to us last game...
Jon, thanks for the info in text!