Bassett has been practicing more, and is why he is getting the start over Crawford. Sampson said Bassett has had good carry over from practice to the game. His confidence is improving because he is participating in both practices and games, not just games."He is healed now as he is going to be," Sampson said.
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On Mike White getting few minutes last night: "I want Mike to play with more energy. On the course of the season you have to pull a string here or there. I like doing that."
Sampson thought the match-up was good for DeAndre.
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Thoughts on non-conference games during the conference. "I go back and forth on it. We've played Uconn six straight years (including at OK). We've done it a long time."
He would have preferred to have it before the Big Ten, but still looks forward to it. He is treating it like any other game.
"If they keep score, you should prepare to win."
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"This is the best center we've played." BUT "There are very few centers around."
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Thabeet and A.J. Price have both improved greatly since last year as they have adjusted to their roles.
Concerns about UConn: Speed, rebounding, size. "A much more mature team than when we played them last year."
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Sampson takes the podium.
