Tommy Amaker Group Quotations

There are trappings in every step along the trail. Concerns over complacency or (being) overconfident and feeling too good about yourself. But I'm hopeful and I'm very confident given the group that we have that these guys are going to maintain their focus and their hunger. They'll push forward.

I am biased to our seniors. I am very much attached to that group of players. They are the type of players you always want to be in your program. They have done anything and everything we've asked them to do.

But this is a team that has grown up. This is a team that has been together for awhile. We have a veteran group and I'm sure coach Ryan can attest to the veterans he's had in the past.

With a different group of players you have a different team. Two years ago we were fairly young with a youthful exuberance and excitement about our program. I think this year the kids have been mature. It has been a different set of circumstances that allowed us to get to this point.

They aren't as deep, but those kids that are out there know they are going to be out there. They're a very athletic team, long and rangy. I think they're a very confident team. They play with a great deal of confidence and you're able to see that. Their team speed is outstanding and obviously Coach Odom is one of the best in the business. They've been on a tear here down the stretch and they were on the verge of winning their conference tournament before coming up a little short. They've gone on the road to win some big-time games in this tournament, at Cincinnati and at Florida State . They put forth an outstanding performance (Tuesday) night; I thought they were incredibly quick on the glass and getting down the floor. They are a very confident group that seems to play well together.

They look like a very confident and spirited group right now. We've kind of gone on the other side of things.