NCAA Tournament: Roy Williams comments in pre-Final Four conference call

Final Four week has begun, and Roy Williams spoke to the media on Monday

Of the four coaches participating in the 2017 Final Four, three are making their first appearance in a national semifinal.

Gonzaga head coach Mark Few, Oregon’s Dana Altman and South Carolina’s Frank Martin will all be experiencing the Final Four and the festivities surrounding the event for the very first time.

Roy Williams, though, has been in this position nine times.

Nine times. Four times with Kansas and five with North Carolina. What good is all that experience, though, if any?

ESPN’s Jay Bilas would argue that it isn’t dispositive, but does have its advantages, particularly when it comes to the grueling schedule and logistical issues revolving around the Final Four.

On Monday, during his pre-Final Four conference call, the Hall-of-Fame head coach answered questions about his players, his coaches, millennials and, of course, last year’s national title game.

To begin the conversation, Williams was asked about the impact of the Tar Heels’ last-second loss in the 2016 National Championship game and its role in motivating his team this year.

"“I think getting introspective means that both you and I have been around a long time,” Williams said. “But it is something that each and every one is different. I think I get just as excited — if we can have a different ending than we did last year, there’s no question it will feel great.But if we have the same ending, it means we still played until the last second of the last game. But the players, after the season was over last year, we got together. We talked to them. They used it as a little motivation, a little fuel to work really hard in the offseason. I told them then give us a chance and we’ll try to make us a good team and believe in what the coaches are doing.And I think they continued that. And as we get closer, the media makes, probably asks us more questions than I know our staff talks about. Now, the players, they get on the social media, they talk about — I have no idea because I’m not on social media at all. But as far as satisfaction, I think each one gets more satisfying, because I think I realize even every year how much harder it is to get there.”"

He was asked if he is surprised at the way he’s still able to relate to kids and coach millennials at his age, coming from an older generation.

"“Well, you better ask them if I do relate,” Williams said. “I tell them all the time I am not of their generation. And I am happy that I am not. And they laugh about it all the time.But they even had some fun with it at the press conference on Saturday. But no, I think the dream of my entire life is being able to put people together and get them to focus on a common goal and make sacrifices. And I’m still the guy that arranges all the golf trips. I’m still the guy that makes the teams when we get there and try to get family vacations together and family birthday dinners together.And so for me it’s who I am. It’s what I’ve always done. And it’s something I’ve really enjoyed. In fact I ought to use this word, I’ve loved the coaching part of trying to get people to make sacrifices knowing that it will be a common goal for everybody.And I’d like to say this better, but it’s so corny it’s ridiculous, but I tell them all the time that the teams that win, the players will get the awards and the rewards, and I truly believe that.So today’s youngster is different than it was 10 years ago or 29 years ago for sure. But you can get some kids to buy into that and believe in it, then I think they’re well rewarded for it.”"

Williams was asked about assistant coach Steve Robinson, his relationship with him and how he has been able to keep him on the North Carolina bench throughout the years.

"“Steve has been fantastic,” Williams responded. “And he’s like a brother to me. He’s with me our first seven years at Kansas, was gone for seven years and came back my last year at Kansas. Has now been here 14 years here. So 22 years for him. And C.B. McGrath is, like, 18 years. But I like continuity.And they evidently like it or I pay them too much money, one, but they stick around quite a bit, and yet all of them want to be head coaches. I want them to be head coaches, but Steve is a security blanket for me.He’s been a head coach, like I said, for seven years at the top level. And he knows what goes on in this office. And sometimes assistant coaches don’t really realize that. And they think that you’re doing the same thing. And there’s a few more things on the head coach’s desk, but Steve understands that.So it’s easier here in the office. It’s easier in the whole job. And then when he’s looking at the game, he’s not just looking at the guys he coaches in practice, he’s looking at the big picture. And I’m very fortunate because with C.B. McGrath and Steve Robinson both being with me so long they know me and they know what my tendencies are. They know what’s important to me and they know how to phrase a suggestion or pose a question that will make me think a little bit about what they’re suggesting. And I like that part, too.”"

He was also asked about Kennedy Meeks’ transformation over the last four years and how he has been able to become such a confident and efficient rebounder for the Tar Heels.

"“With Kennedy, it’s just the want-to and getting his body in shape and going because he’s a fantastic rebounder,” Williams said. “It’s just that sometimes he doesn’t get there. So that’s the incentive that we as coaches have to push.And I was really mad at him in the Butler game because he didn’t box out three straight times. And Butler hurt us on the backboards in the second half. And got after him a little bit after the Butler game and the next day. And I think he responded very, very well yesterday.But he’s got great hands and great body control of going up into the air and tipping it a couple times until he can finally get it controlled. But 17 rebounds yesterday was a big, big day.”"

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