Duke 78, Kansas 66
JON SCHEYER: Really proud of our win tonight. I thought it was the epitome of our team a little bit, the fact that all nine guys scored but all nine guys made big contributions. A ton of respect for Kansas, their program, Coach Self.
We knew obviously Peterson being out changes their team, of course. But you also know that those other guys are going to step up, and I thought the game that White had, Council, it was what we thought. They put a ton of pressure on us.
But I'm proud of the fact that I thought we showed great resiliency, real game pressure on us and I thought we found a way to get stops.
I thought the key was our defensive rebounding. That's been an issue we had to address. Our guys did that, held them to single digit rebounds. We valued the ball in the second half. I think there was only two turnovers. That was a big deal.
And then guys making key plays, just key offensive plays, finding a way to score, which wasn't easy; it's never going to be easy against Kansas. But really proud of this team.
Q. Jon, you mentioned the turnovers. It seemed like in the first half whether it was Kansas's pressure on the perimeter or the resistance in the lane that it was sort of a new test for you guys in terms of generating offense against a defense like that. What was the key in the second half to sort of loosening things up?
JON SCHEYER: Right, well, I think, one, it's the reason we played Tennessee in the exhibition game. It's the reason Texas that first game was very physical. Kansas did a great job of protecting.
I think the thing for us, we're working through where, you know, look, we have actions we go to in critical moments and the way that we want to play, but also part of it is some randomness. So being able to read the defense, understanding what's next, understanding how we have to fight for the paint.
I thought at the end of the first half and at moments in the second half we just did that. Part of fighting for the paint is what you said, it's resilience. They're not going to let you get there. I thought our guys did a really good job of that as the game wore on, but definitely, no question, knocked us back. No question.
Q. In the second half there were a couple times they cut the lead back to five. Those moments being able to keep Kansas at bay when they were making a charge, what did you learn about the team in those situations?
JON SCHEYER: Well, these guys, I've learned it really every game we've played so far, but we had I don't know how many games it's been, I think seven including exhibition games. I don't even know what it is. It feels like it's been a full season in a way, just the moments we've been in.
Think they've showed great toughness and great poise, and those aren't easy situations to be in, especially if it's your first time in the Garden like some of these guys or if it's your second or third. You need to show great poise and togetherness.
I thought that especially down the stretch, some of those plays you mentioned, we just showed great poise. I think that's what it's all about.
Q. Was that the most comfortable you've felt on the floor so far this season? And talk about the adjustments you've had to make and how your game is coming along getting used to the college game.
CAMERON BOOZER: Yeah, for sure. Obviously I've had to get used to playing college basketball because last year I was in high school. This is a completely different game. It's faster. It's obviously more physical. The exhibition games really helped a lot, but just working with my teammates this whole offseason, playing against teams like Tennessee, UCF, and even Texas really helped for tonight, because obviously it was a big matchup. But I like to rise to the occasion, so I felt like I was very comfortable tonight.
Q. Good chemistry with your brother tonight?
CAMERON BOOZER: Yeah, I think I have great chemistry with all my teammates, you know, so...
JON SCHEYER: I think their chemistry could be better if you ask me.
Q. I wanted to ask about the out of bounds play for Isaiah. Did you draw it up knowing that no matter what, open or not, he was going to take that shot?
JON SCHEYER: I think he knew that. I don't know if I knew, but he definitely knew.
I think if you look at the execution of that -- you can draw up whatever you want, but I think the thing that our team did, they had great execution. Cayden's pass was on time, on target. Pat set a great screen to get him open. And the obviously when Isaiah raises up to shoot you feel like it's got a chance to go in.
I thought like the execution was great. Those are some of the moments you try to practice. We go through game situations hoping, knowing you're going to be in them, and I thought our guys really just did a great job of executing, and Isaiah is not afraid to take that shot for sure.
Q. Jon, the last seven minutes you went with Caleb and Cayden in your backcourt. Just what have you seen from that dynamic of them playing together and I guess the maturity process of Cayden through the first handful of games as a freshman?
JON SCHEYER: Well, one, I'm proud of Cayden. Look, this thing is an evolution of where our team is going. I've said that before, but it's true. You're learning on the fly a little bit about your team. The thing in that, they were picking up their pressure, had some more ball handling in there together.
Both those guys together is great, and I think what you get, especially now, the beauty of this team, so often you can get pitting somebody against each other or the fact that we're supposed to have this all figured out in the beginning of the season as a coaching staff, as players.
I think the room for us to grow is as big as any team in the country. So I think these guys have done a great job playing for each other, being ready when their moment is called, and I thought obviously Cayden did a great job of that. Caleb made some big-time plays.
And look, we may start a certain way. That can be an evolution. But also finishing can be a different way because we have a real team. We don't just have five players, we have a real team.
Q. Jon, what can you say about Cam's debut here at the Garden, able to handle the environment? And for Cam, what was it like playing here and what were you able to figure out in the second half to be able to come out with the win?
JON SCHEYER: Well, I know they look alike, but Cayden or Cam?
Q. Cam, sorry.
JON SCHEYER: I thought Cam had 18, 10 and 5. I still don't even think he played incredible. That's the thing that's really exciting. He made some key plays like the rebound in the first half, the outlet to Isaiah.
I thought he did a great job putting pressure on the defense. They had a double. Pat is shaping up. Maliq is shaping up. We got some good stuff there.
But again, I think there's more to be had and I think that's the exciting part. I thought he did a really good job. This place is different, playing at MSG. It's different. I thought he did a really good job handling that.
Q. You picked up your fourth foul. Obviously it was a close game down the stretch. What was going through your mind to keep your composure?
PATRICK NGONGBA: I guess staying engaged on the bench. My teammates, coaches, they all like told like me next play, and that's been a big thing all year, so that's what I was thinking in my head.
Q. Patrick, what was it like? You drew Bidunga early in that matchup defensively and then kind of had to battle with him throughout the game. What was that like for you and how did you sort of feel how you did there?
PATRICK NGONGBA: I felt like I did a good job. I definitely I could have did better. Yeah, I mean, but he's definitely a physical guy to play against, and keeping him off the glass, you've got to hit him every time. Yeah, just playing with great physicality I would say.
Q. You mentioned contributions from everyone today. Eight of nine players had at least three rebounds on your squad today, which is very impressive. How much does it elevate this team when everyone is crashing the boards, even the guards?
JON SCHEYER: It's been a huge point of emphasis for us. I don't think we've done a great job of that so far this season. I love the fact these guys allow me to challenge them. They always respond. I think the rebounding tonight, we knew going in it was going to be really important, and some of these wins we've had is because of the rebounding on both ends of the floor, so that was no question a key tonight.
Q. Patrick, playing the role you did on the team a season ago and now much more prominent role this season, how would you assess where the group is collectively and the road that lies ahead now that you've got a much bigger leadership role here?
PATRICK NGONGBA: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely a difference from last year, you know, playing like I guess limited minutes and then to this year playing a bigger role. But I would say nothing really changed for me like in terms of like preparation or nothing, but I would just say, like, yeah, just talking my teammates through things and just doing different things like that I would say.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports