Everything Chuck Harris and KAH said after SMU's dominant 110-69 win

SMU bounced back in a big way with a dominant second half against Prairie View A&M. Here’s what Chuck and KAH said after tonight’s win:

On the second half adjustments:

[Keon]: “We just had a lock-in. I think we came out a little bit slow in the first half, and the guys realized that. So we made sure the locker room was tight, and tried to step it up. And we got to bring the energy guys from the start. So we can have that first lead.”

On the practices after the Butler loss:

[Chuck]: “Yeah, we knew we had to to work on some things that really stood out in the Butler game and we tried to focus on that. I don’t think we had a good response this game as far as how we started the game. But we’re about to get right back at it tomorrow because we got big on Friday.”

On the benefits of the zone defense:

[Keon]: “I think we spent a lot of time in practice and I think being a two-defense mix of guys is easier in terms of containing the ball and containing where guys gotta be. So, after the first half, being five on five just did not work for being a man. So I just feel like being a two made it easier in terms of when guys drive and kick, we will be there immediately rather than rotating.”

On Matt Cross’ performance:

[Chuck]: “Honestly, it’s just his response from the last game. He didn’t have his best showing at Butler, and he was a little hard on himself in the locker room. So just him trying to come out this game and then give us what he gave us was [great]. I commended him right after the game. So Matt is one of our guys and we need him to be able to pull out some of these big wins and we know that. So seeing him do well tonight was big for us.”

[Keon]: “Yeah, he told us after the game in Butler, when we got back to our hotel, that he would be better. And he showed it before the game, during shoot-around, at yesterday’s practice. So he made sure to make a statement to play better, not just mentally but also physically.”

On how much this team is going to learn about themselves:

[Chuck]: “Definitely. Again, we have a big game coming up this Friday, so that’ll be a really good test for us. But honestly, just every day, we’re trying to get better and trying to grow as a team. I don’t think we played our best full 40 minutes of basketball yet. So we’re still waiting on that. So we’re just looking to improve every game.”

[Keon]: “Yeah, like our coach talked about after the game, tomorrow we’re gonna be going in. We wanna make sure that Friday’s game is gonna be a statement game for us. Showing not just our fans, but showing the country that we are here to play. We are here to get to the tournament. Because we don’t want teams to see this game, see previous games and think that’s who we are when that’s not who we are. Next Friday will be the game showing everyone who SMU is.”

On the competitive nature of this team during practice:

[Keon]: “Very competitive. I’m talking about this guy here tackling me. It’s crazy, but we try to bring the same intensity to the games. I think guys get a little caught up, but we make sure that in practice we do go at each other. Like I remember I fought this guy, not too long ago, but practice is great because of that. We can let go, we can fight each other, and we can support each other at the same time. So I think, as you say, practice is very great for us.”

On a mindset shift coming into the second half:

[Chuck]: “I think we just came out flat [in the first half], we underestimated the opponent. And a team like that, a bunch of guards, one through five, that could get to the bucket, honestly. It’s kind of hard to prepare for it, and it caught us off guard. But once we settled in and went into the half, we got some of our adjustments better. We knew we were the better team at the end of the day, and we showed it in the second half.”

On looking ahead to Mississippi State:

[Chuck]: “No, no we haven’t. First thing tomorrow morning, we’ll probably get all that from the staff.”

On playing with a tall, long lineup:

[Chuck]: “Man, it was fun, honestly. Being a guard, being able to play with that kind of size, like an NBA size, front court, and back court. It makes my job a lot easier for sure.”

On Keon adding the three point shot to his game:

[Keon]: “My teammates [gave me confidence]. Since summertime, when playing pick-up games, [they say], “Keon shoot it, Keon shoot it.” There are a lot of times when I’ll catch the ball in the wing, wide open, drive, and Chuck will get on me. So I think my teammates gave me a lot of confidence to shoot the ball. Like even when I had one practice where I missed seven shots in a row, and you guys are still telling me to shoot the ball, shoot the ball. Obviously, I’m putting my own hours of work shooting the ball, but the best thing that helped me get there was Chuck, and my teammates telling me to shoot the ball every time. And I really appreciate that. It helped me a lot in terms of transferring it to the game… Yeah, a lot. I have my own trainer, you know, in Dallas who helped me a lot with shooting threes and working on playing outside. But also Coach Ford who helped me put up a lot of shots. You know, some Steph Curry workouts where I’m running down the baseline, baseline, sideline, sideline shooting shots. Even I’ll shoot with chuck’s sometimes. I’m trying to get in shots before practice, after practice, and then the weekend sometimes, two times a day. Just make sure to give myself confidence and make sure that even if I miss a shot, the next one coming, and that’s what Chuck and they do well with me, is telling me to shoot the ball every time.”

[Chuck]: “Yeah, I’ve personally seen Keon in the gym every day working on it. So I’ve seen the hours put in, and I trust him. I’ve seen him do it, and I know he can do it. It’s just about letting it fly once he gets the chance. So we’re very confident in shooting the three down.”