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Cincinnati Basketball: Nasty Nati players and coaches react to TBT loss

By Charles Post

Kevin Johnson of the Cincinnati Bearcats dribbles the ball by Jack McVeigh. Getty Images.
Kevin Johnson of the Cincinnati Bearcats dribbles the ball by Jack McVeigh. Getty Images. /
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Following a first round loss to Fort Wayne yesterday, Nasty Nati was eliminated from their first ever appearance in The Basketball Tournament. Players and coaches from both teams reacted to the matchup in the postgame press conference.

"“It was a battle and you want to try to keep that intensity during the game. For us to compete the way we did on our first one, I think we did Cincinnati proud,” Nasty Nati head coach Corie Blount explained in the press conference."

Cincinnati Basketball: Nasty Nati players and coaches react to TBT loss

Blount helped lead the Bearcats to the 1992 Final Four and played more than a decade in the NBA before recently being named head coach. “It’s been a phenomenal experience for me. Unfortunately we came up short,” Blount told the media.

"Nasty Nati general manager Kevin Johnson later shared his opinion on the experience: “This week was very important for our group of guys and the university. I would love to continue to build this for our players year in and year out.”"

Johnson spent four seasons under Mick Cronin and finished his career with the third most wins (101) in school history. The Cincinnati native was disappointed with the first round loss but sounded optimistic about competing in the future.

"“It was a great game. Hats off to the Fort Wayne Champs. We knew coming in they had some players,” Johnson said in the press conference. “Elam Ending was new for us. I think that was something different for our guys to lock in mentally.”"

Fort Wayne point guard Tayler Persons discussed matching up with Nasty Nati following the win: “I’m just happy to get that win here. In a good environment, Cincinnati is a local team. I know it’s Xavier’s gym but their fans showed out.”

Nasty Nati was hoping to make a run in their TBT debut but came up just short in the 71-67 loss. It will be interesting to see if Johnson can keep the team intact and potentially add other former Bearcats like Sean Kilpatrick and Lance Stephenson.