March 18, 2011

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Illinois Sophomore Guard D.J. Richardson
How did you feel tonight after hitting two big threes off the bench in the second half...
"It felt great. I knew that they would have to fall sometime, and its one of the best times this season for them to fall."

Illinois Senior Center Mike Tisdale
What are your thoughts on the win tonight?
"None of us have won an NCAA game in a while. This is a big win for us. Obviously, we want to continue this and keep our season going."

What are your thoughts on facing Kansas?
"Our focus is now on Kansas. They are a great team and nothing is going to be easy. They have been all over the country this season. They have played good teams, and beat good teams. We have to play hard and hope for the best."

What is your mental approach for Sunday's game?
"No one expected us to win tonight. We don't mind being the underdog. It's March, anything can happen. We are going into the game on Sunday with the attitude we can win and we aren't going to be scared."

Illinois Senior Forward Bill Cole
How does it feel winning in the NCAA Tournament?
"It's a tournament win. It's what you dream about when you are a little kid. No one had stage fright and we attacked their pressure and got easy baskets."

How big of a matchup is it facing former Illinois coach Bill Self for you and the team?
"I am sure it is a big story for the University and Fighting Illini Nation. As a team, we will have to leave all of that out of it and go out and try to play the same way we played tonight."