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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:03 >> Yeah, for both of you, what is the key do you think to playing better defense
00:08 for the rest of the way?
00:09 >> I think it's just being more connected and
00:13 continue to take more pride on the defensive end.
00:16 That's what the aim.
00:18 We take more pride in getting stops.
00:23 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:26 >> Yeah, Sky, I'm just wondering, coming off the hip injury,
00:29 how did you feel after playing a ton and
00:33 then just having a big game against Syracuse?
00:37 >> It was good to be back out there with the team, with my guys.
00:44 And yeah, Devontae, he did a really good job helping me get back a lot of credit
00:49 to him, he worked really hard for us, so all the credit to him.
00:53 >> Did you get any different, just being able to watch the game and
00:59 not starting it, did that give you any different perspective?
01:03 How many do come off the bench there?
01:05 >> Yeah, it gives you a little chance to kind of feel the game out a little bit.
01:10 But especially watching the Florida State,
01:12 I was really happy to watch my guys out there, who can have fun.
01:16 They look like they're really having fun out there.
01:18 They're playing together, playing with energy.
01:20 It was a really fun game to watch.
01:23 >> Curtis, can you talk about the last few weeks and
01:25 you being more confident out there, more comfortable?
01:28 And I guess when you do hit an early shot,
01:31 it seems like that does help you more, I think it's obvious that it would.
01:35 And do you notice that a little bit,
01:36 that you're a little more confident when you get one early?
01:39 >> Yeah, I say I've been feeling way more confident, just like the players around me.
01:43 I mean, they like push me every day.
01:44 They say if I got an open shot, don't hesitate, shoot it.
01:47 Outside of that, the coaching staff, just watching the film with them,
01:50 them just helping me just get better every day.
01:52 Overall, it's just been great.
01:54 >> Sky, a couple, about a week or so ago, Trey was in here and
02:01 he talked about the games that he sat out.
02:03 And he got to see the game from a different perspective on the bench.
02:06 He thought he learned a lot in it, and it really helped him.
02:09 Do you feel like that did the same for you as well?
02:11 >> Yeah, definitely.
02:12 It's like you said, it's another perspective that you get to see.
02:16 And when you're on the court, you don't really get to see it as much.
02:19 But it's kinda like watching film after the game.
02:23 You just see it from a different perspective.
02:25 So yeah, it definitely helps a lot.
02:27 >> Sky, you were involved in essentially the entire 12 seconds to close out that
02:31 game.
02:31 Can you walk us through from the three that you hit to tie it to ultimately
02:35 the conclusion as well?
02:36 What you saw, the call as a whole, kinda what you saw there as well, and
02:40 how it concluded?
02:41 >> Yeah, KP, he drove a play, and I tried to just get a quick shot.
02:48 So we got a chance to either get an offensive rebound or something.
02:52 And then it went in, and I thought we had a block, but
02:57 we can't let the game come to that kinda call.
03:00 We know we gotta get back on defense.
03:02 We get back on defense, and we don't even put ourselves in that position.
03:06 [BLANK_AUDIO]
03:11 >> Yeah, as you guys scout your upcoming game,
03:14 what's the biggest key for you stopping them on offense?
03:18 >> Really just, like I said earlier, just taking pride and
03:22 playing connected and communicating.
03:25 And yeah, just playing with energy, that's the biggest thing.
03:29 I think they did a really good job with that against Florida State and
03:32 came out with a W.
03:33 So we just gotta bring that same energy.
03:35 >> Anything else for these two?
03:38 >> We have Curtis respond to that as well.
03:41 >> Yeah, Curtis.
03:43 >> I mean, he said it all, so.
03:44 >> [LAUGH] >> Can I just ask you, Curtis,
03:48 you come here with a reputation as a shooter.
03:52 Was defense something that you emphasized much coming in here,
03:57 like before being here?
03:59 >> Yeah, of course, just growing up as a kid, defense was really a main thing.
04:03 I really took my pride on, just growing through the year,
04:06 I've been getting better at that.
04:07 People say I'm a shooter, but I feel like my game and growing,
04:10 I'm more confident, allowed me to get into the lane easier,
04:13 getting my guys more open shots and stuff like that.
04:15 >> Curtis, and then Scott, if you have anything to add after he did something.
04:21 The transition defense, you guys have been getting beat down the floor.
04:25 What are you working on in practice to try to rectify that?
04:28 And is it out of position?
04:32 Is it not recognizing things, or what is it?
04:36 >> I wouldn't say it's not really recognizing things.
04:38 With us, we love our team a lot.
04:41 So we get in a moment where we come down, hit a three, the whole team will celebrate.
04:45 So us just doing that, we need to just let those things wait until time out comes or
04:49 media comes.
04:50 >> Yeah, same, what he said.
04:53 The last shot, the last game, we got caught celebrating, and
04:57 then they inbounded the ball really fast.
04:59 And we didn't react fast enough to get back on defense.
05:03 And yeah, another thing is that is me being a point guard,
05:06 I gotta do a better job getting back on defense if I'm not shooting the ball.
05:10 And yeah, that'll help with our transition defense.
05:12 >> All right, thank you guys.
05:15 [BLANK_AUDIO]