I had the chance to talk with some of the Bruin players before they left for Washington, D.C. Tuesday afternoon. Everyone appeared to be very excited, even anxious as they began loading the busses. Senior guard, Justin Hare, and sophomore forward, Keaton Belcher, were kind enough to answer a few question:
Lindsey: Congratulations guys. This is your third straight year going to the big tournament. How do you feel?
Hare: Rudy, we’re excited. We’re playing a great team, Duke, and we really have nothing to lose going into the game. We’re just going to go out, compete, and have a good time.
Lindsey: You’re playing the Duke Bluedevils. “THE” Duke Bluedevils! This is a team that is very well established. Do you guys ever get nervous or intimated against an opponent like this?
Hare: You gotta try not to be intimidated. I’m sure everyone will be a little nervous. We’re playing at NCAA tournament standards and playing against guys who have been here before. Yeah, you’re gonna be nervous.
Belcher: Maybe there’s a little bit of nervousness there, but we’re gonna be ready. This is our third trip to the tournament. Coach K is going to have his team ready, but I think we match up to them pretty well. Duke really doesn’t have a dominant “big guy,” which favors us. They shoot a lot of 3’s like us so I think the game should be pretty interesting.
Lindsey: What was the main focus in practice this week?
Belcher: The main focus was definitely on the offensive end. Duke plays very hard defense. They get up in you, they box out well, they’re physical, and they’re fast. We just worked on moving the ball and getting open, easier shots in practice.
Lindsey: What is the atmosphere like on the bus ride, on the plane, in the hotel and eventually in the locker room? Are you guys pretty laid back? Or is there more of tense, focused attitude amongst the team?
Hare: I think we’re pretty laid back, ya know? We like to have a good time. We’re all friends. We hang out on the bus, talk a lot, and watch a lot of TV…not that tense.
Belcher: Actually, everybody is really ready to play. We drew the game on Sunday, and everyone has been excited about the game ever since. Duke is a Top Ten team, but we’re just ready to play.
Lindsey: Justin, this is your senior year. This will be your last tournament as a Bruin. Does this change anything going into March Madness?
Hare: Yeah, I think so. For me, I just want to enjoy it. This is my last go ‘round. It’s the last time I’ll be playing college basketball. It’s on a great stage and against great teams. I’m just going to take it all in and have a great time.
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