Texas Tech University Athletics
Top Five Quotes From Friday's NCAA Media Session
March 16, 2018 | Men's Basketball
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The Red Raiders met with various members of the media Friday prior to their second round meeting with Florida
DALLAS – Texas Tech was back in front of the cameras Friday afternoon as the Red Raiders previewed Saturday's second round matchup with No. 6 seed Florida.
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Beard was joined at the podium Friday by seniors Keenan Evans and Tommy Hamilton IV as well as junior Norense Odiase and freshman Jarrett Culver. The rest of the Red Raiders were also available during the open locker room session at American Airlines Center.
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Here are the top 5 quotes from today:
Keenan Evans: I'm expecting even more fans tomorrow, just because it's a Saturday, and it's at a pretty good time. Just Raider Nation, I'm hoping they show up and show out and help us come out with a win.
Norense Odiase: It's huge. Whenever you can get through the first game, I guess some jitters are gone. We know what we're used to. We're back in the tournament. We can kind of not relax, but kind of settle down into it, see what we did last game, what went wrong to start that game, and just watch the film and see how we can get better for this game.
CHRIS BEARD: Yeah, he's a special player. You know, we kind of take what the game brings to us in terms of finishing. There's different ways we can go, but certainly Keenan is our point guard, our leader. He has courage to make those plays in those moments. He wants the ball late. He's earned the right to be in those moments throughout his career, the ups and downs. So certainly, yeah, he's one of our better players, and we absolutely want him involved late in games.
TOMMY HAMILTON: That first one felt good, man. That was my first tournament game, and it was my first taste of it to see what it's like. It was ugly, but we got it done. I think that we're aware that most of the games like this tournament is going to be like that, so we're preparing to come out and play our best game tomorrow, and I think we'll be ready.
CHRIS BEARD: That's the only thing, on this Whataburger ride we're on, there's a lot of other places, too. But Whataburger is a great place. I think breakfast, we go taquito. If my girlfriend is not with me or my daughters, I'll go extra cheese. During the day, I'm pretty easy, it's just a one, mustard, pickle cheese only. I'll go with the milk shake. Another thing I learned from Coach Knight, a root beer milk shake. I almost got this at Sonic one time with Coach. The lady is like so you want a milk shake with root beer in it? No. I want a root beer milk shake. You want the root beer to substitute the milk? No, I want a root beer milk shake. That is when Coach Knight and I were on I-20 going to I think to Rockwall High School on that one.
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Beard was joined at the podium Friday by seniors Keenan Evans and Tommy Hamilton IV as well as junior Norense Odiase and freshman Jarrett Culver. The rest of the Red Raiders were also available during the open locker room session at American Airlines Center.
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Here are the top 5 quotes from today:
1. Painting the American Airlines Center RedÂ
Q. For Keenan or any of the guys, the feeling of the crowd last night, because it was packed with just two Texas teams and just the crowd was cheering for both, and what are you expecting tomorrow as you guys get back at it again here?Keenan Evans: I'm expecting even more fans tomorrow, just because it's a Saturday, and it's at a pretty good time. Just Raider Nation, I'm hoping they show up and show out and help us come out with a win.
Having a good time. #FridayFeeling #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/TMnob9eTgE
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 16, 2018
2. Red Raiders looking for a quick start against Florida.Â
Q. Guys, just each one of you, kind of talk about how important it is to get off to a quick start against a Florida team that has a lot of depth to it, very tenacious on the defensive side, and to not kind of find yourselves down three points going into the half.Norense Odiase: It's huge. Whenever you can get through the first game, I guess some jitters are gone. We know what we're used to. We're back in the tournament. We can kind of not relax, but kind of settle down into it, see what we did last game, what went wrong to start that game, and just watch the film and see how we can get better for this game.
3. Keenan, the Closer
Q. From a baseball analogy, is he kind of like Mariano Rivera for you guys as far as at the end of a close game, you put the ball in his hands, he finds a way to either get fouled or finish at the basket? Those finishes he makes look easy, but those aren't easy plays he's making, right?CHRIS BEARD: Yeah, he's a special player. You know, we kind of take what the game brings to us in terms of finishing. There's different ways we can go, but certainly Keenan is our point guard, our leader. He has courage to make those plays in those moments. He wants the ball late. He's earned the right to be in those moments throughout his career, the ups and downs. So certainly, yeah, he's one of our better players, and we absolutely want him involved late in games.
Popular. #WreckEm #4To1 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/neEFGBFi9O
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 16, 2018
4. Pressure is off
Q. For any of you guys, how do you feel like just getting through the first game, just kind of feeling through your emotions and getting that first one, how important is that so when you get the first one you say, all right, now we can just kind of roll through it?TOMMY HAMILTON: That first one felt good, man. That was my first tournament game, and it was my first taste of it to see what it's like. It was ugly, but we got it done. I think that we're aware that most of the games like this tournament is going to be like that, so we're preparing to come out and play our best game tomorrow, and I think we'll be ready.
Keeping it light on the off day, but staying locked in. ??
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 16, 2018
???? https://t.co/PNJDfmxlvC #WreckEm #4To1 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/5htliY5DsN
5. Oh, there was a Whataburger question, too.Â
Q. I've heard you mention your love of Whataburger several times. When you go, what do you get, and if you don't go to Whataburger, where else do you go for a burger?CHRIS BEARD: That's the only thing, on this Whataburger ride we're on, there's a lot of other places, too. But Whataburger is a great place. I think breakfast, we go taquito. If my girlfriend is not with me or my daughters, I'll go extra cheese. During the day, I'm pretty easy, it's just a one, mustard, pickle cheese only. I'll go with the milk shake. Another thing I learned from Coach Knight, a root beer milk shake. I almost got this at Sonic one time with Coach. The lady is like so you want a milk shake with root beer in it? No. I want a root beer milk shake. You want the root beer to substitute the milk? No, I want a root beer milk shake. That is when Coach Knight and I were on I-20 going to I think to Rockwall High School on that one.
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Texas Tech coach Chris Beard again extolling the virtues of Whataburger -- for breakfast, for lunch or at 2 a.m. If he doesn't get an endorsement deal after this season, there is no justice.
— Chuck Carlton (@ChuckCarltonDMN) March 16, 2018
Players Mentioned
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