Post-game press conference notes

[lou v]

Chris Collins and Scottie Lindsey

This is one of my proudest moments at Northwestern. We had a lot going against us today. Law getting injured, poor shooting by McIntosh, fouls, but they wouldn't let us lose today. Great road win in an awesome venue. This is a beautiful arena. Gets me excited about our arena next year.

It was a heck of a game. Hopefully Chicago can rally around the improvement of college basketball in the area...us, DePaul, Loyola.

Last four seconds defensively: Not let Strus get the ball. He's hard to cover. He just runs all day. Compared him to JJ Redick in terms of constant movement. I admire him. He's a heck of a player. We were in this situation against GT. We gave up a layup at the buzzer to lose. We wanted to make them come back to the ball, didn't want Strus to get a touch. Didn't want to give up a 3. McIntosh did a good job.

Vic Law: What does Fitz say? It was an upper body injury. He was also ill. Stomach issue in the first half.

Playing Lindsey: He's a senior, I trust him. Great job by Gaines, Ash and Brown.

Turnovers: 13 in first, five in second. We can't withstand high-turnover games. DePaul did a great job. They have length. Lots were self-inflicted offensive fouls for turnovers.

McIntosh: Tough shooting night, but had seven assists and no turnovers. He had some he normally makes. He's just gotta flush that. Cyrus is a good defender. They were trapping BMac off of ball screens.

Lindsey on game-winner: DePaul took away their main play. Knew he had to get a shot up. I had been shooting well. I thought it was a good shot and it went in.

Like to start Chicago series, a la Philly Five? Collins says yes, but things are moving other way. Play 20 Big Ten games, have to play ACC game, etc. I'm for it, but it makes it more difficult.

Lindsey on bench: Gaines stepped up to guard Strus at the end of the game. Isiah is getting better every game. Jordan is a good locker room guy.

 

[catcrazy]

Sounds like a possible concussion

 

[lou v]

Dave Leitao and Max Strus

I thought we'd have the opportunity to win. Game was hard-fought. Both teams played really hard. It wasn't pretty at times. Lindsey's 3 was big. They made the plays an experienced team makes at the end of games. Big East schedule starts soon and we're going to play a lot of games like this soon.

Free throws cost you the game? No. We've been good up until today with free throws, but it doesn't mean we would've the game if we hit 75 percent. What if McIntosh doesn't go 2 for 17? They are easy to talk about but don't decide the game.

Strus: This one hurt.

Last possession: Every good player wants the ball in that situation. Eli had a tough shot, he normally hits that 7 out of 10 times. I trust him with that shot.

Strus: I was just taking what the defense was giving me.

Excitement: We play Northwestern year in and year out, it has a buzz every time. Maybe it's something we can capitalize on and create excitement.

Cain's game: Didn't shoot well. Making transition from on the ball to off the ball. I love him and believe in him as a player.

Did Strus play with chip on shoulder today? I feel like that every single day.

 

[mikewebb68]

Knew something was wrong with Law even before the injury, as they gave him a rest for a LONG time in the first half.

 

[lou v]

Knew something was wrong with Law even before the injury, as they gave him a rest for a LONG time in the first half.

He was battling a stomach illness. Vic didn’t look good on the bench in the first half and he was having a hard time drinking Gatorade at one point, spitting some of it up. A fan also told me that he saw Law throw up in the tunnel as he was leaving the court. However, the term “upper body injury” often means concussion-related. That could also explain his throwing up.

Collins didn’t know anything about Vic’s status after the game. We’ll just have to wait and see.