March 12, 2000
Rob Evans Quotes (March 11, 2000):
"Certainly, the natural reaction is to be disappointed, but I was pretty realistic after yesterday's basketball game. Looking at the field, and the guys that are on the bubble and how the tournaments were going, I felt that it would be difficult for us to get in.
"No one picked us where we finished (ASU tied UCLA for fourth in the Pac-10 Conference with a 10-8 mark). That shows we made some great improvements and the kids took on the challenges. I remember at Pac-10 media day I made a statement we would not finish eighth, and the kids and staff took on that challenge.
"We had opportunities to affect whether we got in or not yesterday and all during the season. I think the thing that kept us out of it was the fact we had a chance to play some tough teams, and we didn't quite get over the hump against them. But I'm very, very proud of my basketball team. I also think it says a lot for this league that there are two number one seeds from this conference.
"When you look at the people who didn't make the field of 64, there are some awfully good teams that didn't get in there - Notre Dame, Virginia, BYU to name a few. The NIT will be a very good tournament, it just won't get the media attention as the NCAA Tournament. It's an opportunity to continue to play and continue to practice. Those are huge benefits for a team that's growing.
"This time last year we put our uniforms up, put our sneakers up and went home. If we're fortunate enough to get into the NIT, we work out tomorrow at 1:00. I have a tremendous amount of young kids on this basketball team that need to continue to improve, and they are improving. They got better over the last six or seven games. If we play some more games, they're going to continue to get better. A year or two down the road, we'll remember this a building point. When you continue to play until the middle of March that is good for a program.
"There was no doubt in my mind about Eddie getting Player of the Year. He was the best player in this league all year long. There's nobody in college basketball this year who did more for his team than Eddie House, as far as scoring, defensively and even on the boards. What a lot of people don't realize is the pressure that was on this kid to produce every night, and every practice. Some players in this league could have a bad game or take a night off, but Eddie could not with such young kids. And I know he made teams change the way they defended. He led six true freshmen to 18 wins, and that is going to be remembered by everyone here. I told the team after that when we do go to the NCAA Tournament, Eddie House will be a part of that because he is a big part in building this program.
Eddie House Quotes:
"I was optimistic (about getting into the NCAAs). I had faith that we could make it. We didn't, and it's not a life-or-death situation. We're getting invited to the NIT. We're definitely going to play as hard as we can and try to win it. That is our goal now is to win every game we play and win the NIT."
"Everyone was upset that we didn't see our name in the field of 64, but we're in the NIT and we still have more basketball to play. A lot of people don't have basketball to play. They're hanging up their jerseys and going on spring break, and we're about to play some more."
"Getting [Pac-10] Player of the Year is something that's a great honor. When you go back and look at all the Players of the Year, there are some great names listed. That is one of those things that I will look back on and be real proud of. Its tough to think about individual honors now, but it is something I am honored to have."