Oklahoma basketball players Milos Uzan and Javian McCollum meet the press on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, to talk about Saturday's game at Oklahoma State.
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00:00 It's after a lot of weeks of big football play, you guys got a bye week this week.
00:04 Maybe just how important was that and what was the focus this week?
00:08 >> Shoot, the focus was just being intentional in everything we do.
00:10 Trying to stay engaged.
00:13 This whole week we had a great off week.
00:16 Waldo was able to get his ankle a little better.
00:18 So I think it was a good week for
00:21 us just to be able to test our bodies and get into the next game.
00:27 >> You able to feel that like you practiced yesterday that you did feel fresher?
00:32 >> For sure.
00:32 And like I said, being intentional.
00:34 I think yesterday we got after it a little bit.
00:37 We focused on guarding the ball a little better.
00:40 Focused on offensive game plan.
00:43 So I definitely felt fresh.
00:46 >> How do you kind of adjust the second time around?
00:50 What are some of the things you maybe saw from the last time you guys played
00:53 at Golden State that you feel like you can tweak a little bit?
00:56 >> Yeah, I mean, that game we're a little stagnant offensively.
00:59 So watching the film, I think we could do a better job.
01:03 Spacing the floor out, getting good shots.
01:05 And then I mean, defensively, I think we did a really good job.
01:09 I think we gave up eight free points with the free throw line and the ball back.
01:13 But I think if we control our emotions, we'll do a much better job.
01:18 >> Chris?
01:19 >> Yeah, Lewis, what have you seen from Jermeyer and Keller?
01:21 I mean, he's young, but he's been really breaking out for Golden State.
01:23 >> Yeah, shoot, his last two games have been really good.
01:26 He's changing the team right now with his ability to score and make shots.
01:29 So he's definitely on the scout, at the top of the scout now, and
01:34 he's playing really well.
01:36 >> Holden?
01:36 >> Yeah, Lewis, final game against OSU,
01:41 what does it feel like to be a part of this game?
01:44 >> Yeah, I mean, it's another big game for us,
01:49 another game against our rivalry.
01:54 I'm sure, what did you say?
01:56 >> Well, it's potentially the last time these two schools ever played together.
01:59 >> Yeah, so I mean, shoot, I'm just focused on this game right here.
02:02 Hopefully in the future, down the line, whatever goes between the rivalry.
02:07 But yeah, I'm just focused on this game right now.
02:09 >> Does it mean something extra to you just to be able to be a part of
02:12 potentially the last one?
02:13 >> Definitely, I know what it means to the state of Oklahoma, this rivalry.
02:18 So definitely, I know we got the whole city of,
02:21 the town of Norman on our backs right now, so we're ready for sure.
02:25 >> John?
02:28 >> Yeah, Lewis, obviously a couple weeks left,
02:29 you guys are projected to make the tournament for basically everywhere.
02:32 Is that something you guys are talking about in terms of,
02:34 we're still right in this, everything we wanted to accomplish is still right there.
02:37 Is that part of the conversation right now?
02:40 >> For sure, we know we got five games left until ending the Big 12 tournament.
02:44 So the goal is definitely to get there and advance.
02:50 We believe in Moser and the staff and we think if we get there, we'll drive, so.
02:54 >> Any additional questions out there?
02:57 Holden?
02:58 >> Have you been playing in Gallagher High the last year?
03:01 What do you remember about that environment and
03:03 also what have you kind of been telling some of the new guys?
03:07 >> Yeah, so we went there last year, it was pretty rowdy.
03:09 They definitely packed the crowd out for sure.
03:13 And it was a good environment to play at this year.
03:16 I'm hoping we can walk out of there with a dub, so.
03:18 >> Where's your confidence at going into this game?
03:22 Obviously, went through a bit of a slump a couple weeks ago, but
03:24 then started really hot against Kansas, knocked down a couple shots.
03:26 Where are you at?
03:27 >> I mean, I'm pretty confident, just stayed in the gym,
03:29 trying to stay consistent with my jump shot and just working on things, watching
03:33 films, so I'm real confident going into this Oklahoma State game.
03:37 >> Mason?
03:38 >> JB, on you, against Kansas, you didn't have John, you didn't have Waldo.
03:41 Maybe somewhat of a similar situation this week.
03:44 Did getting that game under your belt without those guys kind of help you guys
03:49 to prepare for what it's gonna be like in the stretch run?
03:51 >> I mean, yeah, I mean, we went into that game,
03:53 we know we had two of our brothers down.
03:56 We went in that game, some guys stepped up, Mons came in, Luke came in.
04:00 They came in and gave us great minutes, and I think we're willing to do that again.
04:03 So anything to get the win.
04:06 >> Tom?
04:07 >> So, Kansas, you wore the sleeves, any reason why?
04:10 >> I mean, I just wanted to change it up, I wasn't feeling the orange sleeve that
04:13 night, so I've been practicing in the long sleeves, as you can tell.
04:16 So, I mean, I just wanted to try it out, and it felt good.
04:19 >> Is that something you might keep up just cuz-
04:21 >> Yeah, I'm probably gonna wear it
04:22 against Oklahoma State.
04:22 >> We'll go Kristen Holden.
04:25 >> Yeah, Oklahoma State's playing their best basketball as of late.
04:27 What have you seen from them in the last couple games since you guys played them?
04:31 How have they changed and gotten better?
04:33 >> I mean, they've changed up their starting lineup.
04:36 They've got Keller in their starting lineup now, and he,
04:38 I think the last two games he had 22 and 15.
04:41 So, I mean, he's a big part of their success right now, and
04:45 we just gotta come in and focus on the scout and know who the players are.
04:48 >> And JV and Hop, you say you haven't been here too long, but
04:54 this storied rivalry is coming to an end.
04:57 You guys get to play in the last one, at least as conference foes.
05:01 What does that mean to you to be kind of part of this game?
05:03 >> I mean, it means a lot.
05:04 It means a lot to the state of Oklahoma.
05:07 We obviously wanna put on for
05:08 our Oklahoma fans cuz they've been great all year and hopefully we can end it with
05:12 a W.
05:13 >> Any additional questions for JV?
05:16 We'll go back to Josh then Bob.
05:18 >> Yeah, has this little sort of tag or I guess you'd say,
05:20 I'm saying anything about playing a counter, right?
05:22 But just like what that's like and what's your expectation for that?
05:25 It's a little bit of a different venue.
05:27 >> I mean, they said going over there, it's a different atmosphere.
05:29 Obviously, it's gonna be great.
05:30 This is just a, like I said, it's a great game for the state of Oklahoma.
05:33 And we just wanna go in with a mindset of no matter what the fans are saying,
05:37 no matter what's going on, no matter how the game's been called,
05:40 we gotta stick to it.
05:41 The main thing, the main thing, and that's to get the win.
05:44 >> Bob?
05:45 >> You mentioned the film sessions.
05:46 What did you take from it?
05:47 Was it more offense, more defense?
05:49 Was it just situationally based stuff?
05:52 >> I mean, it's a little bit of both, offense, defense, situational stuff.
05:56 I mean, you always wanna look at the game in every aspect.
05:59 And I think that's what the coaches have been doing a good job with us and
06:03 helping us see where we can fix things or take a point away here from the other team.
06:07 So it's been great.
06:09 >> Tom?
06:10 >> Porter mentioned on the radio last night that he pretty much had to make
06:13 Waldo change back to the street clothes before tip off against Kansas.
06:16 Were you surprised to see him try to push himself pregame like that?
06:19 >> Yeah, we were warming up and I seen him on the side.
06:22 He's doing defensive slides.
06:23 I'm like, yeah, Waldo, you tough for sure, cuz this ankle, it looked pretty bad.
06:27 But I mean, he's a tough guy.
06:29 He's, like coach said, it's day by day right now and hopefully he can get out there.
06:33 >> And how are you feeling after that tumble you took both against?
06:35 >> I'm good.
06:35 It's just a little bruise, I'm sure.
06:37 (whooshing)