I’ve tweeted out key quotes from each but here’s the transcript of my questions to Jalen Leach and Brooks Barnhizer postgame.
Brooks Barnhizer:
Q: You took 13 free throws but 11 came in overtime, a few off intentional fouls. When I talked to Coach, I asked if he thought you and the program got the respect you deserve, and he said no. You’re a very physical player, what was your take on that situation?
A: You know, I never really want to shed light on that. I feel like I’m a very physical player and yeah, I feel like I should get to the line a little more, but that’s just the way it is right now. So I got to figure out how to maybe not try to be as physical. Because, sometimes what it looks like since fouls aren't being called, it looks like I'm kind of forcing stuff, and I'm just kind of throwing stuff up. And that's the last thing that I want to do for our team. But I'm really just trying to get to the line and, you know, get some easy ones. So if they're not going to call those fouls, we have to make more moves and shoot more shots, instead of trying to get down there and get those calls. But, we'll figure it out. Regardless if they do start, you know, calling it more or they don't, we're gonna have to figure it out.
Q: Jalen got a tough call, got ejected on that flagrant two at a pretty crucial point of the game. You know, you really seemed to make a point to get going after that. How are you able to kind of rally the team and get to overtime from a pretty tough point in the game?
A: Yeah I didn't have a really good start, and I have got to [going forward]., It unfortunate what happened in Jalen. We don't think he should have been thrown out, but I know that they don't really play about plays like that. So, you know, I just wanted to get going and try to pick up some slack that I didn't really come out with in first half. And I don't think I played really well on the first half, but you know, I played better in the second half and then the overtime. With me being leader of the team, it's got to be a full 45 minutes. It can't just be, you know, 37 of the 45. I have got to find better ways to start for sure.
Q: It’s been a little bit of a colder stretch from you from the three point line, especially towards the start of some of these games. What do you think's been going into that? Is that just kind of law of averages thing? You think they'll even out, or has there been something else you’re seeing?
A: Definitely. I work on those shots every day. I just got to make shots. Honestly, I gotta rep it out. I definitely work on my three every day so maybe it’s an overthinking thing. I’m going to go out there and shoot the ball so, you know, it'll definitely even out and I'll be alright.
Jalen Leach
Q: Really tough situation where you’re playing one of the best games in your career and you get ejected. What was your thought process as that play was happening?
A: I have a lot of thoughts, but I was trying to get over the screen, to be honest. I didn't try to do anything malicious or anything like that, just trying to get over the screen. Stuff like that happens. It was unintentional. Like I said, this is what it is.
Q: It's bittersweet that you probably had one of your best games here, I thought you were doing a really good job of handling Michigan's pressure. Comparing that to Dayton early in the year, how do you feel you've progressed this season as an initiator and ball handler?
A: I'm just trying to put my myself in those situations more, especially like in practice. It’s just about being confident with the ball and trying to get our team into our offense.
Brooks Barnhizer:
Q: You took 13 free throws but 11 came in overtime, a few off intentional fouls. When I talked to Coach, I asked if he thought you and the program got the respect you deserve, and he said no. You’re a very physical player, what was your take on that situation?
A: You know, I never really want to shed light on that. I feel like I’m a very physical player and yeah, I feel like I should get to the line a little more, but that’s just the way it is right now. So I got to figure out how to maybe not try to be as physical. Because, sometimes what it looks like since fouls aren't being called, it looks like I'm kind of forcing stuff, and I'm just kind of throwing stuff up. And that's the last thing that I want to do for our team. But I'm really just trying to get to the line and, you know, get some easy ones. So if they're not going to call those fouls, we have to make more moves and shoot more shots, instead of trying to get down there and get those calls. But, we'll figure it out. Regardless if they do start, you know, calling it more or they don't, we're gonna have to figure it out.
Q: Jalen got a tough call, got ejected on that flagrant two at a pretty crucial point of the game. You know, you really seemed to make a point to get going after that. How are you able to kind of rally the team and get to overtime from a pretty tough point in the game?
A: Yeah I didn't have a really good start, and I have got to [going forward]., It unfortunate what happened in Jalen. We don't think he should have been thrown out, but I know that they don't really play about plays like that. So, you know, I just wanted to get going and try to pick up some slack that I didn't really come out with in first half. And I don't think I played really well on the first half, but you know, I played better in the second half and then the overtime. With me being leader of the team, it's got to be a full 45 minutes. It can't just be, you know, 37 of the 45. I have got to find better ways to start for sure.
Q: It’s been a little bit of a colder stretch from you from the three point line, especially towards the start of some of these games. What do you think's been going into that? Is that just kind of law of averages thing? You think they'll even out, or has there been something else you’re seeing?
A: Definitely. I work on those shots every day. I just got to make shots. Honestly, I gotta rep it out. I definitely work on my three every day so maybe it’s an overthinking thing. I’m going to go out there and shoot the ball so, you know, it'll definitely even out and I'll be alright.
Jalen Leach
Q: Really tough situation where you’re playing one of the best games in your career and you get ejected. What was your thought process as that play was happening?
A: I have a lot of thoughts, but I was trying to get over the screen, to be honest. I didn't try to do anything malicious or anything like that, just trying to get over the screen. Stuff like that happens. It was unintentional. Like I said, this is what it is.
Q: It's bittersweet that you probably had one of your best games here, I thought you were doing a really good job of handling Michigan's pressure. Comparing that to Dayton early in the year, how do you feel you've progressed this season as an initiator and ball handler?
A: I'm just trying to put my myself in those situations more, especially like in practice. It’s just about being confident with the ball and trying to get our team into our offense.
