Post-game press conference notes

[lou v]

Michigan coach John Beilein

Northwestern played a great game. They executed really well, and they should. They've played as well as they have all season offensively in the second half, like they did in getting up 18-1 against Wisconsin.

LIvers injury: Could not play in the second half. Ankle injury.

Attacking the zone: Not gonna tell you the plan. Tried to read it and missed a couple shots early. It's a really good defense. You rarely see it, especially with that type of length. It gives them an advantage. It's so different. Can give them an advantage with short prep or in a tournament.

Shooting: Couldn't get open looks today. We've got to shoot the ball better. When we shoot well, we're pretty good. Foul shots, too. We had some fouls to just give them points -- here's two points.

Simpson's second half: Simpson didn't penetrate in the second: We didn't fast break well, we didn't get two feet in the paint well.

NU's offense in second half: Lindsey and Law started making shots. McIntosh is a great guard. They jammed the ball inside and then hit some 3s. Biggest difference in the two games: they hit their shots from the outside. Both games were the same. Last one was a four-point game turned into a nine-point win. Same with tonight.

 

[lou v]

Chris Collins

Proud of my team tonight. Terrific win over a terrific team. Played them eight days ago, so Michigan was ready for the zone. I loved how we hung in there. Held them to 20 points in the second half and 52 overall. We held them to 58 and 52 points. I know it's a disastrous season and everyone's writing that (sarcastically), but that's not what I'm seeing.

Michigan attacking the zone: Their pace gave us problems. They put you in tough spots, especially with Wagner. We did a good job adjusting on the fly.

We're .500 in the league and 15-10 and it's a disastrous season. We're gonna keep playing. I know we're dead, I know their bad, we're just gonna keep playing.

BMac's performance: He was great. They raised the bar. He cares so much. He puts pressure on himself. I saw smiles on his face. That's what made me happy.

Consistency: I think we're playing pretty well. Sometimes our offense gets stagnant. But we've strung together 4-5 good defensive performances. We have to keep getting better. First time: we couldn't score. We shot better this time. Michigan was 6 in the league last year and you saw what they did. They got hot. I like where we're at.

Turnover differential (16 last week, 6 tonight): We were careless last week. We thought turnovers cost us the game. We really studied that game, especially offensively. We made careless decisions with the ball. We did a much better job tonight. We got good shots at the basket -- even early, we just weren't shooting well.

Defensive effort: We didn't want to give 3s up to Rakhman, Wagner and Robinson. Mo hurt us in the paint because he's really good. But overall we did a good job. They only made five 3s.

 

[NJCat]

I know it's a disastrous season and everyone's writing that (sarcastically), but that's not what I'm season.

We're .500 in the league and 15-10 and it's a disastrous season. We're gonna keep playing. I know we're dead, I know their bad, we're just gonna keep playing.

Guess Fitz is telling Chris what is written on these boards......

 

[lou v]

BMac

Using "disastrous season" as motivation: I think it's funny. He tries to use it as a motivational tactic. Use it as fuel.

Turning the corner: Not tonight. It was when we switched to the zone. That's when we started to turn the corner. Tonight was a tremendous win. We try not to listen to the noise. There's still a lot to play for right now. Goals aren't out of reach quite yet.

What changed in second half: Defensively we did an excellent job. We held them to five field goals. They have a great offensive head coach. We used our best communication on defense.

16 turnovers last time to 6 tonight: Our spacing was better. That allowed guys to drive without help defender there. That enabled us to get in the lane. That was huge. We just played smarter, made better decisions.


Scottie Lindsey

Difference in second half: Beginning of game, they punched us and we were playing from behind. We threw the first punch in the second half. We were able to get the lead and hold out.

Using media as motivation: Pride thing for us. We know how good we can be. We don't want to go out like that as seniors. We're going to keep fighting until the last game.

Consistency: I think our defense has been impressive during this stretch: our communication, hands, etc. If we keep playing well defensively, it will help our offense.

 

[lou v]

Chris Collins

Proud of my team tonight. Terrific win over a terrific team. Played them eight days ago, so Michigan was ready for the zone. I loved how we hung in there. Held them to 20 points in the second half and 52 overall. We held them to 58 and 52 points. I know it's a disastrous season and everyone's writing that (sarcastically), but that's not what I'm season.

Michigan attacking the zone: Their pace gave us problems. They put you in tough spots, especially with Wagner. We did a good job adjusting on the fly.

We're .500 in the league and 15-10 and it's a disastrous season. We're gonna keep playing. I know we're dead, I know their bad, we're just gonna keep playing.

BMac's performance: He was great. They raised the bar. He cares so much. He puts pressure on himself. I saw smiles on his face. That's what made me happy.

Consistency: I think we're playing pretty well. Sometimes our offense gets stagnant. But we've strung together 4-5 good defensive performances. We have to keep getting better. First time: we couldn't score. We shot better this time. Michigan was 6 in the league last year and you saw what they did. They got hot. I like where we're at.

Turnover differential (16 last week, 6 tonight): We were careless last week. We thought turnovers cost us the game. We really studied that game, especially offensively. We made careless decisions with the ball. We did a much better job tonight. We got good shots at the basket -- even early, we just weren't shooting well.

Defensive effort: We didn't want to give 3s up to Rakhman, Wagner and Robinson. Mo hurt us in the paint because he's really good. But overall we did a good job. They only made five 3s.

Collins was definitely a little feisty tonight and took umbrage with some of what he read recently (we don't know from where). He's definitely trying to use it as fuel for his team.

 

[NJCat]

Collins was definitely a little feisty tonight and took umbrage with some of what he read recently (we don't know from where). He's definitely trying to use it as fuel for his team.

Good for him. But it was his team that gave up 51 second half points to a crappy Loyola team, got completely embarrassed by TTU and played like dog meat against Ga Tech. The stuff people are writing had nothing to do with how bad they played early in the season.

 

[freewillie07]

Collins was definitely a little feisty tonight and took umbrage with some of what he read recently (we don't know from where). He's definitely trying to use it as fuel for his team.

I reckon this line from Rittenberg struck a nerve:

How did Northwestern get here, from national darling last season to one of the nation's biggest disappointments this season?

But have to agree with Fitzphile that everything in that piece is truth and even the players and coaches own up to it. But whatever gets them going -- I like it!

 

[JournCat]

It’s hard to sell the “everyone in the media hates us” angle when you coach at Northwestern, but whatever. CC has found a motivational strategy that works — trying to find meaning in this season, a game at a time — and he might as well go all the way in on it.

 

[Alan Smithee]

I reckon this line from Rittenberg struck a nerve:

How did Northwestern get here, from national darling last season to one of the nation's biggest disappointments this season?

But have to agree with Fitzphile that everything in that piece is truth and even the players and coaches own up to it. But whatever gets them going -- I like it!

I know he's probably focusing more on the recent media takes, but as disappointed as I've been this season, it's disappointment FOR them, not in them. They've already earned my respect for what they've accomplished. I'd like the seniors to go out on a strong note, and the others to build good momentum for next season.

But if it serves them to find fire in commentary, great. Motivation can be found in many different ways.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Why didn't Collins put in Brown? He is better than Mac or Ash!

 

[Gladeskat]

Why didn't Collins put in Brown? He is better than Mac or Ash!

Ash to ashes, dust to dust?

 

[backdoorpass]

CC has found a motivational strategy that works — trying to find meaning in this season, a game at a time — and he might as well go all the way in on it.

Totally agree. The "Pound The Rock" philosophy and the drive to be the first team to make the Tournament was so powerful last season. The "now we're focused on winning championships" message at the beginning of the season rang hollow and obviously didn't connect with the team. If CC can now find some power and true motivation with messages of "we're so disrespected" and "let's prove everyone wrong," I'm all for it!

 

[NJCat]

The "now we're focused on winning championships" message at the beginning of the season rang hollow and obviously didn't connect with the team.

If true, this is disappointing. Their performance against Purdue and OSU showed they could compete. Obviously not among the favorites to win the B1G, but steal a win here and there and they could have been in the hunt with momentum. Something is wrong if "competing for championships" doesn't connect with an experienced team that played in the semi-finals of the B1G tournament the prior year!!

 

[Catreporter]

The team was thin last year as evidenced by the nosedive they took with Lindsey out, and they really haven't solved the depth problem this year. Our margin of success is very narrow. This two game road trip east will be a trial with the starters having to play heavy minutes.