SAN ANTONIO — The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats have played in the Sweet 16 round 19 times in program history, including this season, but this year is the first go-around under new head coach Tommy Lloyd.Â
No. 1 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is coming off a nail-biting 85-80 overtime win over TCU in San Diego, and since then has directed its focus on No. 5 seed Houston, which only trekked three hours to San Antonio for the Sweet 16.Â
Several Wildcats, including Lloyd spoke to the media on Wednesday, here's what they had to say:Â
Tommy Lloyd
Tommy Lloyd on the challenges Houston presents:
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
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"I'm expecting him to play great. ... The struggle is good for him, and I think he'll be a better player for it." — Tommy Lloyd on Azuolas Tubelis bouncing back from his shaky performance against TCU
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Tommy Lloyd discussed when he first met Bennedict Mathurin years ago in Mexico and how much he's progressed since then. Lloyd also had a two-year plan for Mathurin upon arriving at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Now? "Obviously I think he's well on his way to out-performing my two-year plan."
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports)
Bennedict Mathurin
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Bennedict Mathurin addresses the video of him allegedly touching a TCU cheerleader while walking off the court in San Diego.
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Bennedict Mathurin on his highlight dunk against TCU:
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Bennedict Mathurin out here speaking French in press conferences.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports)
"Bonjour, Bennedict!" In French, Bennedict Mathurin talks about his experience.
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Kerr Kriisa/Dalen Terry
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Kerr Kriisa and Dalen Terry on interacting with other teams' fans, like the ending of the TCU game: "When we win the game, it's nothing personal with the other team's crowd. We're a team and we're just goofy and like to have fun."
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports)
"I just try to make my 3s, keep passing the ball, make sure everybody is happy and make sure Benn can keep dunking on people." — on his role at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Christian Koloko
In French, Christian Koloko says Bennedict Mathurin is "a winner and he's really confident. Every time he steps on the court, he just wants to win."
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Contact sports producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter: @JustinESports