THE MODERATOR: All right. We'll get started with questions for the student-athletes.
Q. Ray, you guys obviously had this experience last year in Spokane, won a game there. How would you sort of define what that opportunity and experience was like for you guys a year ago?
RAY HARRISON: Yeah, it was big. It was a big moment for not only our team but just the school as well. Being able to get that done was a big accomplishment. We were all proud of it. But this year we're looking to do more.
Q. Tyon, after coming back after the time off and having those games last week where did you feel like you were during the woke and now as far as feeling in rhythm and everything.
TYON GRANT-FOSTER: I feel like my rhythm got a lot better, just from being back in those games. I mean we practiced yesterday, I felt good at practice yesterday when we played live. So I feel like my rhythm is getting back to where it was before I went down.
Q. JaKobe, you've been here multiple times with different teams. How does this team compare or how do you feel this team's playing coming in?
JAKOBE COLES: We came off a championship, so it's always a good thing going into a tournament. Just the experience that we have, especially being older now, these guys being older, we have a big advantage of just being here and knowing what the feeling feels like and we're just excited to have this opportunity to get some wins, for sure.
Q. How would you describe to someone who has never seen it before what the Havocs do for you guys as a team and just the atmosphere in general?
RAY HARRISON: Yeah, I would say it definitely gives us just a spark. It's kind of like having a sixth player out there with us. It also just prepares us for the bigger moments, having the large crowd or in attendance, it doesn't faze us at all.
TYON GRANT-FOSTER: To piggyback like what he said with the sixth man, I feel like just any time I feel like we really need that boost, they're there to give it to us. Any time, like I hit a big shot, Ray makes a free throw, they just go crazy.
So, yeah, I just feel like they're really there for us.
JAKOBE COLES: They're just amazing. They have been traveling with us all year. The atmosphere back home is just amazing. It's my first experience with that type of crowd. It definitely brings a lot of energy to the team and makes us want to play harder.
Q. Ray, you talked about going into the WAC tournament championship game that you knew Coach Drew would have you guys prepared. What is it about what Coach Drew does especially with a new opponent that was unfamiliar to you guys in a week like this to get you ready?
RAY HARRISON: You know Coach Drew, he's very detail oriented. So all the film that he watches, he basically just kind of just whatever he sees, he makes us aware of it and makes sure that we're ready for it.
TYON GRANT-FOSTER: I feel like the film, we watch so much film this week on them, you know, just to game plan and everything. So I feel like his preparation is really detailed.
Q. How different is it your first time in this setting to now your second or third time here?
RAY HARRISON: I would say just a difference in comfort level, honestly. Being here for the first time it was kind of shocking, alarming almost. Just really thankful to be here.
Second year was sort of similar, but this year I definitely feel more comfortable than I ever have.
TYON GRANT-FOSTER: Same. I feel like the comfort level is way higher. Like we've been here, we've won a game, and we came very close to beating a very good team last year in Alabama. So I feel like it's just the comfort level is a lot higher.
JAKOBE COLES: Yeah, no, piggybacking of what they said, this is my fourth year being in the Tournament. First year obviously was just exciting and like you said, a blessing just to be in the opportunity. But going into this year just more of an expectation.
So it definitely feels great, it's definitely a blessing, but I expected us to get here. I expect us to move forward and get past this first weekend. So that was my feeling going into it, especially coming here to Seattle.
THE MODERATOR: All right. Thank you guys. We'll wait a few minutes and we'll get Coach Drew in.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports