1. What feelings came over you when the Toreros won their first WCC Championship?
I was just so excited for our students, our fans, our staff and especially for our players who worked so hard to get to this point. We enjoyed the moment as a community, which was so special. It was so emotional for all of us because it had been such a long season filled with ups and downs, but here we are on championship Monday cutting down the nets and going to the NCAA tournament.

2. Do you think USD can eventually reach the elite level in college basketball such as teams like Duke or Kentucky?
There is no doubt that we can move up to another level to compete with the elite teams because we see it being done right now with teams like Gonzaga and Butler, who have proved that they can consistently compete with teams from high major schools. It is not easy to stay there, but we feel like we are headed in the right direction, so we need to just build on our experiences this season so we can get to a point where we are competing with the major schools on a consistent basis.

3. Caoch Holland, I use to work at USD last year in the Intramural Department and got to know your staff and team very well. I wanted to first congradulate you and your staff on a great season as well as wish you luck in the NCAA Tournament. My question for you is two fold. With the amount of parity in college basketball, due to smaller schools not losing players early to the NBA therefore having senior orientated teams, do you see a 16 seed ever beating a 1 seed? Also what are your feeling about the NCAA eliminating the graduate assistant position? Do you think it hurts young coaches trying to get a foot in the door? Thanks and good luck in the tournament!
I think that we are getting closer to the day we see a 16 beat a 1, but it still may be a while. There is no doubt that the parity in college basketball is greater than it has ever been, but we must remember that a 1 seed is a 1 seed for a reason, so to say that it will definitely happen is a stretch, but there is no question that this 16-1 matchup will get closer. Secondly, I think it does hurt young coaches by eliminating the graduate assistant spot because it allowed young coaches to get their foot in the door and gain some experience.

4. Coach, do you think that Jason Keep is the most talented big man in USD basketball history and what do you think of his chances at the next level?
Jason Keep is one of the most talented big men in the country. He has size, strength and athletic ability, which make him a force to deal with. If he continues to work like he did this season, there is no doubt that he can play at the next level. Based on what I know, he has to be one of, if not the most dominant big man ever to step foot on the USD campus. We just wish he had one more year here with us.

5. Nick Lewis has been playing great down the stretch. How has his play impacted the team?
Nick Lewis has given us a great lift off the bench. He adds a dimension to our team that is so important. The scoring he brought off the bench in the Gonzaga game truly was a spark for us and one that got us back into the game. We will need him to play well in the NCAA tournament if we are going to advance.

6. Coach Holland, you guys seem to be peaking at the right moment. What was the turning point? Good luck in the NCAA Tournament!
This team came together at the right time. All teams go through ups and downs, but it was the way this team responded to the adversity that allowed us to win the tournament. Instead of digging ourselves a deeper hole when we were 6-8, we got tougher and responded to the challenge. We pulled together and handled adversity head on.

7. Coach, how do you prepare your team for a first round NCAA tournament game? Is it just another game or is extra emphasis put on it? Thanks and good luck in the first round!
We approach it just like any other game. We will try and keep it simple and focused like always. Our guys need to feel like it is just another basketball game. We want our guys to enjoy this experience while at the same time understanding that this is just another game that is being played on 10 ft. rims like always.

8. I heard that the WCC as a conference, had the highest RPI in the history of the league. What are your thoughts on the conference and how it can continue to improve?
Our conference is definitely moving up the chart. This is a very good league that has proven itself by winning some big games nationally and also some games in the NCAA tournament. The middle of the pack teams in this conference are moving up and competing with the top teams in this league, but it is the top teams in this league that has helped push this conference to another level. It is a very good league with a bright future.