5 questions for... Grant Hill
Q: How can Butler upset North Carolina?
A: It’s tough. North Carolina has a lot of talented, big bodies down low. Butler has to use their guys, who are versatile, and step outside and take advantage of the mismatches of having North Carolina guard on the perimeter. Butler has wins this season over Villanova (twice) and Arizona. The idea of Butler being scared isn’t going to happen. They know they can beat teams like this.
Q: How has Kentucky improved from the team UCLA beat earlier this season?
A: De’Aaron Fox is more aggressive and asserting himself offensively, Bam (Edrice Adebayo) is getting more and more comfortable and getting touches and making (himself) a threat offensively. Malik Monk struggles, but he’s so capable of going off and loves the big game and the big stage. I think through his struggles he’s developed more of a complete game than maybe what he had earlier this year. This game is going to be fun with so much talent on the floor. It feels like a Final Four game.
Q: Do you agree with the comparison some have made between Lonzo Ball and Jason Kidd?
A: There are some similarities with how he runs the team. Jason was more physical and a stronger guy. Jason was very fast and set the table for his teammates. But both guys are so natural at that position, and at such a young age.
Q: Can South Carolina replicate what it did in its victory over Duke?
A: We know they are a toughminded defensive team that plays hard, but what they showed against Duke is that they can score. They just looked like they were playing with confidence and a chip on their shoulder, just a mental toughness that you need to go far in the tournament. They have that mindset going up against Baylor.
Q: What sticks with you 25 years after your pass and Christian Laettner’s famous shot against Kentucky?
A: It’s amazing how one shot can change so much: what was on the line, the emotions that come from that one play and what would have been if he missed that shot. I don’t think I could have imagined 25 years later people still talking about it. It’s pretty special.