COACH… “we can compete at a high level.”

Miami upset Louisville, 78-73, in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.

Miami head coach Jai Lucas shared his thoughts on the game and his team after the victory.

On his first tournament win as a head coach…

"First off, just proud of the way we competed, and especially the start of the second half. Really turned the game for us, gave us the ability to finally guard in some situations and create some separation, and then for some reason, we get bored and like to make the game interesting…

On his first season as a head coach…

"The season, the schedule and everything just kind of worked out perfectly, to be honest with you, and the experience we've gained throughout the season to get to this point has kind of molded us to where I feel at this part of the season where you want to be playing is your best basketball but you want to have your most confidence. I feel like we have our confidence now and feel we are good and we can compete at a high level. So everything we went through during the season, the close wins, the close losses, we've been through so much this year. Just to think about everything we've had to go through as a team, and for us to be here is pretty cool.”

On the dramatic turnaround season by his Hurricanes…

For me, it starts with, one, although they had a tough year last year, the foundation was built with going to the Final Four and going to the Elite 8 the two years before and I think winning a conference championship, a time for it, I believe, two years. So that was one. And then the second part was getting the right people in the building, and it always starts and ends with the players. For those guys like a Malik and Tru and Tre and Ernest, the core group of transfers and their pedigree and what they come from. Like he was talking about, Tre won everywhere he's been; Big Ten, SEC Championships. Ernest played at Kansas and TCU for two really good coaches. Tru won two Mountain West championships. And Malik, although they didn't win to the level, he played at Indiana. Which if you've been to Indiana and played at a blue blood and been around it, you know the pressure and the kind of will that has to go in, how much winning means. So all that stuff is important in moments like this, and it all started with them. Then after that, just getting to work.”

On the difference/adjustments made from the last game…

"The first game I thought we were too soft on the ball and we just gave them too much space and they were shooting almost dare shots from 3. So a big part of our game plan was making sure we impacted the ball and really upped our pressure and our pickup point. I felt that was the difference in some of the 3s they made and were able to get in the first game and this game.”

On his father’s support this season…

"It's just different to see him in a different role; you know what I mean? I've always been the one following him and being with him in the gym and now that he's in the gym and he's getting older, you get to see him just kind of love being around and just being a part of it and still the coach and the player in him comes out, and just his support and my family's support just means a lot to me."

Miami now advances to the semifinals on Friday to face Virginia (28-4). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET with ESPN/ESPN2 providing coverage.

GO CANES!