THE MODERATOR: For Norfolk State, we have Christian Ings and Brian Moore Jr. At this time, we'll go ahead and open up the floor for questions.
Q. Guys, you had three games this season against power conference opponents, two of which were very competitive. Do you use that as a source of confidence as you prepare for Florida tomorrow?
CHRISTIAN INGS: Yeah, we definitely used those games as a launching point, a baseline for how we know we have to perform to just even be in the game let alone winning it. So using those games against Tennessee and Baylor, we used those as markers to let us know where we were and how far we have to go to get to our goal.
BRIAN MOORE JR: Just to add, I think those games give us faith for a game like that. It's a test run for Florida who we play them tomorrow. That's the biggest thing, getting in three games early in the season.
Q. Brian, this is your first year on Norfolk State, here on the big stage. Just talk about what this journey's been like for you with this team and to be here playing in the NCAA Tournament.
BRIAN MOORE JR: Man, it's just been amazing, just being in the transfer portal, coming to Norfolk State.
The biggest thing when I went in the portal is I wanted to go to a place that had a winning tradition. Going here, guys like him made it easy. I felt like a family atmosphere from the moment I got on campus.
It's amazing, in June we set a goal to get to the NCAA Tournament, and now we're here.
Q. For both you guys, can you speak to, when you watch film of Walter Clayton, when you see in him, how difficult he is, how much of a challenge?
CHRISTIAN INGS: We just started our film session yesterday. Watching personnel, watching Clayton, he's definitely a very microwave scorer, he scores fast and heats up quick. He does use his mental game a lot more than his physical, making sure that, if you bite on a move, he'll make you pay for it every time.
He has a very elite jump shot, very quick trigger. So we've got to make sure we get to the body on him.
He's just a floor general. He keeps everybody aligned. He's the engine behind the team. We know he's a very vital part to what they've done this year.
THE MODERATOR: Brian, do you have anything to add?
BRIAN MOORE JR: Like Christian said, he's a really good shooter. He's the head of the snake for Florida. I think he's what makes them go. Obviously he's a first team All-American, and obviously it's a big challenge, us both being point guards, and we probably have that matchup.
Q. I'm just curious for both of you if you ever heard any stories about the 2012 team, and do any former players like Kyle O'Quinn, keep in touch? That was the team that obviously upset Missouri in the first round.
CHRISTIAN INGS: I'm glad you brought that one up. That's a good question. Shout out to Kyle O'Quinn. He's around all the time. He's been here this whole season in and out, giving us good words, motivation, him and one of his other teammates came in and just spoke to us the day before we left on Wednesday.
Yeah, we talk about that 2012 team all the time, and we're just trying to remake the magic that they had, maybe even push it forward a little further.
Q. This is for you, Christian. What lessons did you learn from last year's CIT title win that you can hope to apply tomorrow against Florida to try to hopefully, possibly shock the world?
CHRISTIAN INGS: I know one thing we learned from that game was that the halftime score isn't the final score, like last year's CIT championship, we were losing at halftime, and the temperature was high in the locker room, we were hot, we were upset, and we felt like we weren't playing the best that we could.
At the end of the that game, we made a push to come out in the second half, and we ended up winning. So I just know no matter what the score is, by the time we get to halftime, I know it's not a full game. There's another 20 minutes left to play, and anything can happen in 20 minutes.
Q. You guys had three games in the MEAC tournament. I think the combined margin was 11 points. You had Brian's buzzer beater against A&T at Echols Hall. What of those moments in really tense games taught you guys about yourselves and this team and what you can do in a pressurized situation.
THE MODERATOR: Brian, could you answer that, please.
BRIAN MOORE JR: I just think this is a resilient group. I think no matter what we're going to fight. We showed that throughout the year numerous times versus Power 5 schools, versus schools in our own conference.
The one thing about us, we stick together at all times. We never really fragment, whether we're down 20, up 20, down 10, two minutes left, no matter what, we try to stay together. I think that's the reason why we made it so far so far.
Q. This is for either of the guys. The other day we saw Alabama State in the SWAC pick up a win. How important is it for you guys not only to represent Norfolk State but to represent your conference and HBCUs on this big stage and potentially come up with a huge upset?
CHRISTIAN INGS: What's up? That's my guy, man.
Definitely, it's definitely inspirational, definitely motivational for sure to see another HBCU in the tournament have success. Coming into the tournament, every win is a big win. So to see them win and put on for HBCUs, it just gives us a little bit more fire behind us to be like, yeah, HBCUs are here to play this year.
THE MODERATOR: Brian, would you like to add anything?
BRIAN MOORE JR: Me, being the first time I'm at an HBCU, I just think that the culture around all HBCUs is amazing. I've got people from Southern that's texting me, people from other schools in the SWAC that text me and congratulating me. It just shows the community support through all the HBCUs.
Q. Guys, what kind of excitement is there around campus for athletics overall? Michael Vick is your football coach. The women's team is headed up to College Park for the NCAA Tournament. You guys are here. Is there a pretty good vibe?
THE MODERATOR: Brian, why don't you go first this time.
BRIAN MOORE JR: Definitely a pretty good vibe. We didn't get to celebrate with our students because it's spring break right now. As far as Michael Vick and obviously coach Larry Vickers and the women's team being up in Maryland being the 13 seed, I think it's just amazing for Norfolk State. I think we're getting a lot of national attention, and it's on us to keep that going.
CHRISTIAN INGS: Definitely shout out to Norfolk State athletics. It's been an amazing year this year for basketball, football, and all athletics in general. I would just like to say shout out to Norfolk State athletics.
THE MODERATOR: Gentlemen, you're excused. Thank you very much and good luck tomorrow.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports