Ncaa Quotations | Page 4

I don't know what you guys expect. This is the NCAA Tournament. If you guys think we're going to blow teams out, then you don't have a feel for what we're doing. Are you kidding me? I'm glad we're getting a chance to play one more time. Let's give Penn credit. It was what I expected.

Losing this game, we basically know that we blew our chance for an at-large bid. We know that we have to come back here to win three games to go to the NCAA Tournament.

Losing is not fun, but we still got here. Nobody thought we'd get here and we did. Playing in the NCAA Tournament is a great way to end.

Last year, when I was trying to decide where to go, that was one of my main things -- going to the NCAA Tournament. That's something I wanted to do since I was 3 or 4 years old.

Last year we were kind of the underdog. This year, since we won the NCAA championship, we've got that target on our shoulders.

Last year, we were 11 freshmen just trying to get by. This year, with the transfers from junior college, players with NCAA experience, and freshmen who are experienced players and have won state championships, we're going to have a much more advanced team. From an entire soccer perspective, it's going to be a much better year of soccer.

Last year, we went 10-0 non-conference. It was huge because we did not have the same strength of schedule that we have this year. Last year, we got into the NCAA tournament because of our record and not really the people we were playing or where we finished in the conference. As a team goal, we are trying to get to the same place we were last year.

I apologize to the team, to the coaches, the university and the fans for my violation of a team rule. I accept the coach's decision to be suspended from the Pac-10 Tournament. I wish the team well and hope for its success. I'm looking forward to participating in the NCAA Tournament if Arizona is invited.

Carolina takes seriously its obligation as a NCAA member institution, and we shall continue to pursue with vigilance and honesty our goal of full compliance with all NCAA policies and procedures.

Carlos gave us a big lift when the NCAA finally cleared him to play. His rebounding, scoring and ability to pass elevated our team's play considerably.