Heres a transcript of Fran McCafferys postgame news conference. The questions are paraphrased but the quotes are direct.

How would you describe the defense right now?

We need some work, and well keep working on it.

Is the defensive performance puzzling because of the strides youve made?

I think we played against a team that was inspired that was really working, sharing the ball. They have good shooters. They havent been shooting well. It doesnt mean theyre not good shooters. Austin Hollins has always been a good shooter. Hes been off. (Malik) Smith has been off. They have a lot of guys who have been off. Tonight they were making them.

What specifically do you need to work on?

I think we just have to stay in our stance, stay engaged, stay after them. Whether its ball screens or drive and kicks or transition defense. It came easy for us early; we were up nine and we didnt lock in defensively then like I think we should have. All the sudden you look and youre down 10.

Now they were on fire. I get that and the crowd got into it and stuff. Youve got to adjust when (Charles) Buggs is hitting or (Austin) Hollins is hitting. They were on fire in the first half. I dont know that Ive coached against a team that made nine in a half. But this team has the potential to do that. Theyre a good 3-point shooting team.

How much of it was not getting back in transition or do you just tip your cap to your opponent?

The rest is here:

Postgame Franscript: Coach talks Minnesota loss