There was a lot to celebrate after the Illinois basketball team took down VCU in the Round of 32.
The Illini now advance to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons. This is a great run from Brad Underwood and one that will hopefully continue on past this upcoming Thursday.
There is one thing I can guarantee. VCU isn’t going to be playing any more games this postseason. Illinois sent them home in a decisive win on Saturday night, and after the game, their head coach, Phil Martelli Jr., took part in the postgame press conference.
Martelli is one of the best coaches out there when it comes to respecting the media. He jokes around with the media a lot, and he gives credit where credit is due. His acknowledgment of the student media making it to nearly every game is pretty cool.
Phil Martelli Jr. might be in some hot water by the boss after the postgame press conference
After the loss to Illinois, a reporter was asking him a question, and in a joking manner, Martelli might have put a foot in his mouth.
The reporter asked, “I asked you before Wagner, what is one thing you wanted to know. One thing you wanted the people to know about this group of guys. Same question.”
Martelli responds, “What the hell was my answer? I don’t remember back that far, do you remember?”
The reporter responds, “No, I didn’t listen.”
A little playful back and forth happens, and then Martelli drops the nuclear bomb.
“You asked the question and didn’t listen. You sound like my wife.”
YOU SOUND LIKE MY WIFE! The back and forth starts at the 7:47 mark in the video below.
Martelli is a great interview, and he loves the back and forth. I commend him for having this type of attitude after getting the doors blown off by Illinois in the NCAA tournament.
With that being said, I feel for him right now. Happy wife, happy life is something he may need to subscribe to after this postgame press conference.
I am sure Martelli has gotten roasted from this quote already from numerous people, one probably being his wife. She will hold this in her back pocket for when the time is right.
“Hey Phil, the trash is full, take it out. Remember that one time you said a reporter sounded like me when he didn’t listen to you?”
Boom, she has the ace up her sleeve for the rest of time. Martelli might have lost in the NCAA tournament, but he created an entirely new set of problems for years to come. Good luck.