Banchero reveals the locker room's controlled jubilation and how strong defense and togetherness fueled a crucial rivalry win, silencing outside noise.
On what a win feels like for the group and the locker room vibe tonight:
"It feels good to get the win. Thought we played well. We just got to come back out and repeat it. I don't think anybody was too happy or too excited. We know we got a game on Friday. So come out, repeat, see what we did wrong. Thought we did a lot of stuff well and just come out with energy next game."
On what clicked today that didn't in the recent games:
"I thought we played good defense. I thought we withstood their runs. We just stayed together and were able to withstand those runs that they made and continue to find good shots."
On his four offensive rebounds and imposing will on the glass:
"Yeah. I think that's something I've tried to improve at over the course of my career, especially coming in this year, is just being active on the offensive glass. Something I know I can do at a high level. If I'm able to create extra opportunities or come up with big rebounds, I'm going to try to do it. Just position myself, crash the glass."
On not letting poor shooting nights affect confidence and mindset in the second half:
"I thought we just had a good demeanor about our team as a collective the whole game. As for myself, I wanted to come out and have a big second half. The team just came out with great energy and I think we were the aggressors."
On national reports about his relationship with Coach Mosley and frustrations during the season/losing streak:
"He helps us a lot. He's helped me a lot and we have a lot of open communication. Whatever those reports are, I wouldn't say those are true in my opinion. One thing I know about myself and one thing I know about him is that we're both fierce competitors. When you're losing a lot of games and stuff's not going well, people are upset. Me and him haven't had any blowups or arguments or going back and forth. Me and him are pretty aligned when we talk to each other trying to figure stuff out. Now, that's not saying when we lose four or five in a row that I'm not pissed off, he's not pissed off. But in terms of our relationship, I think it's been good since I've gotten here. As a team we need to keep improving and I've been vocal about that and he understands that. We all understand that. Those reports I don't know where that's coming from. Winning cures all. The more we win, the more quiet those reports will get."
On reflecting on leadership and what he's learning as a young player in tough moments:
"Every year of my career, I've tried to improve on my leadership. I've always been a big lead-by-example guy, but since I've been a pro, becoming more of a vocal leader is something I've tried to focus on. That's something I've had to remind myself of in these tough moments throughout the season. My voice still has to be there. Obviously my play has to be there in terms of playing at a high level. It's just a learning experience as you go. I understand that for us to be at our best, I got to be at my best. That's my mentality. That's what I'm thinking every night. For us to win, I don't have to score 30 every night, but I know I got to be at my best, whatever that looks like."
On taking pride in being a consistent, stabilizing presence and relying on him every time he's on the floor:
"Yeah. I take pride in that and that's something that my teammates remind me of. Even earlier in the season coming off injury when I wasn't playing as well, I didn't feel like myself. They kept reminding me like, 'Hey, we're riding with you.' When you're out there, we want you to be you. Obviously now just coming in every night and letting my presence be felt. The first half I was really frustrated with myself. Felt like I didn't play well at all. I came out in that second half a little pissed off and just wanted to bring the energy, pick my defense up, pick my rebounding up. The scoring was going to come. That's something that every night I got to be able to bring to the table for this team."