Steve Alford Great Quotations

I got to work for some great administrators at great institutions, and I had an opportunity to coach great players. Iowa is no different.

He's a load in the paint, and I think he's a big key to their team. He's great with either hand, and they really like to get it inside to him.

I think we are a better defending team. I still think we have a long way to go and we have done a lot of improvement in that area. That is exciting because I think we have done a pretty good job through 17 games. All-in-all it has been a great team effort in the defensive end.

I thought our leadership was tremendous. At the start of the game it was very good, and at the start of the second half it was very good. It's a great way to start a tournament.

Tyler will have an immediate impact on our team next season. He is a very talented player, but also a great person, and that is something we always look for in recruiting.

That's what I appreciate the most about our guys. They've really got great resiliency and resolve about them. They know how to respond after a tough setback.

There have been a lot of great teams who have played on this floor. None have gone undefeated.

We did a great job on the boards,

You've got two guys that have probably done more for Illinois basketball than anybody in the history of the program. That says a lot, because there have been some great players here.

A lot of great teams have played on this floor, but none has gone undefeated. This is a very special group of seniors. Their legacy will go far beyond this year.

Fans will see intense basketball and competitive games. It will be a great prelude to what will happen in the national tournament.

It was a great journey this year. It's hard for the seniors that their last game had to be like this.

This is a great start. They (players) have earned it. But there is a lot that can happen in February. We've got to make sure we stay healthy and keep getting better.

This is a great prep game for us going into the game at Wisconsin.

It's been a great team effort. Our shooting is getting better, which hopefully will put a little bit less stress on our defense.