The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all of the angles so you can look forward to a cascade of coverage in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from Las Vegas with a few player interviews from the Arkansas locker room.
The hardest part was just getting to the Razorbacks’ locker room without bumping into any of the Gonzaga players who were stretching in the hallway!
JR G Ricky Council IV
In 2022 you were named AAC 6th Man of the Year at Wichita State: is there a big difference between starting vs. coming off the bench? I was kind of used to starting and thought I would start last year but I only started 7 games. I started almost every game this year before coming off the bench for several games down the stretch.
As someone who faced Houston several times in AAC play, how good are they? I played them 4 times while I was at Wichita and it starts with their defense. I am not surprised at all that they have had such a great season due to the physicality and rebounding.
Why did you transfer to Arkansas? It was just a better opportunity for me, as I have always had a goal/dream to play at the highest level.
Your brother Ricky II played at Providence/UMBC, brother Ricky III played JC basketball sister Rhianna played at UNCG: who is the best athlete in the family? Me!
SR F Jalen Graham
You went to Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix: how did you end up at Arkansas? I transferred after playing 3 years at ASU. I saw that Arkansas made back-to-back Elite 8s and I wanted to be a part of that.
Since Vegas is not that far from Phoenix, will you have any family/friends at the arena this week? My mother/brother/sister will all be here, as well as most of my close friends.
You played for Dan Hurley’s brother Bobby at ASU: how awkward will it be if you end up facing UConn on Saturday?! I have thought about that a couple of times this month.
You beat Illinois/Kansas last week after losing 4 of 5 games entering the NCAA tourney: how was your teams able to get back on track? We had some pieces return from injury, plus we had a really tough schedule down the stretch (featuring 5 straight games against NCAA tourney teams: Alabama/Tennessee/Kentucky/Auburn/Texas A&M).
Speaking of injuries, how is Anthony Black’s left foot doing? I think he is good.
SR F Kamani Johnson
You transferred from Little Rock: what made you choose Arkansas? I had a really good connection with the Little Rock coaches who (like me) were from New York (including head coach Darrell Walker, who was a player/assistant for the Knicks). I looked around and then fell in love with the staff here.
Your brother Dakari played basketball at Kentucky: who is the best athlete in the family? My brother has it right now since he made the Final 4 in 2015 and the title game in 2014 (a 6-PT loss to UConn), but I just told him the other day that I am coming for him!
You played 3 minutes in a 6-PT win over Gonzaga in the Sweet 16: how exciting would it be to face them again in the Elite 8 on Saturday? We are not looking ahead, plus they have to face a good UCLA team tomorrow…but a rematch would be great. I actually think they were a little better last year but there would be a LOT on the line if we play them again.
Your spectacular non-conference schedule included games against Creighton/San Diego State/Baylor: which 1 of those teams impressed you the most? San Diego State was really tough. I played really well against them (7 PTS/7 REB in 19 minutes) so I cannot wait to see how they do vs. Alabama on Friday.
Speaking of Alabama, you 2 plus Tennessee gives the SEC 3 teams in the Sweet 16: do you have the best conference in the country? I think the SEC is #1. We have the best athletes/greatest coaches.