UCF Guards Carmelo Pacheco and Dior Johnson Reflect on Comeback Victory Against South Alabama

Time, the zone can be a little bit of an adjustment, but eventually the shooter started knocking them down, especially Carmelo, Just how big was that when the shots when the shots start falling and you guys started to build some momentum to get the win. I mean, that was big for us. Um, you know, that's what Mellow does. We see it day in and day out every day at practice. He's shown that in his college career, a great three point shooter. So I feel like we just, you know, got him got him going It can happen of course, but what took me to your mindset my friend I need to know I mean, really, I'm excited, but all the credit goes to my teammates. They find me in practice every day. They're always encouraging me to shoot the ball, even when I'm not shooting the ball or hesitating. So, yeah, it's just all credit to my teammates. When you're having an electric night like that, what kind of zone defense are you getting into? Sure, as long as like Dior Johnson gets into it, I feel like every shot is going to go in. There you go. What was Coach telling you during those timeouts during the first half when South Alabama was really getting you guys down low? Really just, you know, we got to play smarter, take care of the ball, put bodies on bodies, and, yeah, you know, just play smarter. Um, there's a specific one that we've already kind of had in mind, but after a specific trial. Yeah, the one right before the half where I really felt like I was getting into my rhythm. You guys go into halftime trailing, What's kind of the halftime adjustment to come back out and take a commanding lead shortly after the break? Say that again. Shortly after the break, you guys go into halftime trailing. What's the adjustment to come back out and start so hot and take what was a commanding lead? I mean, I feel like you have to make any adjustments in any type of game, any sport you play. So I feel like this team shows a good effort of, you know, coming out the second half, being strong, having the will to win, you know, figuring things out. Like I said, it's important to protect home. So I'm just happy that we've been able to protect home. Was there a message or anything conveyed in the locker room that you guys were like, this is a certain thing that we need to fix to really get better? I mean, you've got to stay positive. There's always a solution to every problem. So, you know, as long as we keep staying positive, figuring out solutions, being good teammates to each other, listening to our coaches, good things will happen. What were some of the issues, what were some of the things you're dealing with with that zone that South Alabama showed you guys? How challenging was it at times? Yeah, I mean, it was challenging for sure. Big message was we got to penetrate the zone, play inside out. And once we started to penetrate the two guards at the top, I feel like it opened everything else up. And then getting the ball in the middle and then facing up and if you got a shot, shoot the shot. If not, spray out, you got shooters all over the place. You guys both combined for 34 of the team's 36 points at this point in the game. How important is it for you guys to help bring the offense out and you were start inside zone and work that, oh just be in Um... Just doing what we do for the team. You know, Our teammates and coaches count on us for certain things. It's just about showing up seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, and being there ready to do whatever your team needs that night. I feel like we did that tonight. I know how much confidence this performance has given you 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. I mean, it gives me confidence for sure, but like I said, you know, I got a great team that's around me. They're always treating me and my other side with a different kind of love. T.R., you had 24 points, 9 assists, 5 steals, no turnovers. Do you feel this was your best all-around game to this point? Sure. I mean, yeah, because it was more all-around, so statistically, yeah. And just talk more about Melo and his game. Like, were you trying to find him? You know, once you knew he started draining his consecutive threes, was there a conscious thought, like, I got to feed this guy the ball? Definitely. I mean, like I said, I've been – we've been here months now since about June, right? June. I mean, I've learned way before the season how well he can shoot the ball. So, my trust is in that at a high level. Yeah. You are 93 points in your first three games. Is this what you expected? I don't know I just I'll say this I just I try to approach every game um the right way um it's all about your approach you never can um dictate what happens but I try to stay in routine uh stay in the gym approach things like a professional and things work out Carmelo coach brought you here to shoot threes you've been a three-point specialist your entire time here this is one of the closest three-point performance is in team history as well as just from an individual. What does it mean to you to have a game like this? I mean, like I said, it's exciting. Thank you very much. You know, the work is showing. Again, like I said, all credit to my team. Those are the guys giving me the ball, and I'm playing off of them. Dior, you made six of UCF's nine made free throws. What was really working for you at the foul line? I don't think it was something working for me tonight at the foul line. I think it's my work that I'm putting in in the gym by myself at the foul line. I got to stay in the gym so I can keep improving. Do you guys still feel an urgency to get better? It's non-conference season. Maybe especially at the start of the games. It's still a faster start. Yeah, it's always room for improvement. But, you know, we've got to keep going one another. Take every game, one game at a time, and keep getting better. Day by day and game by game, what's the biggest improvement you guys have seen from the beginning when you met each other to now? Just getting closer as teammates, learning each other, you know. So just learning each other, building brick by brick, becoming closer on and off the floor so we can be the best thing we can be. Appreciate it, guys. Thank you. Thank you, guys.