Post-game press conference notes

[lou v]

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard

Extremely happy for our guys. We've improved and become more consistent. Maturity is starting to show. We did some good things. I'm happy to see McIntosh and Lindsey graduate. They've been a handful. McIntosh has done a lot for this program.

Playing Van Vliet: Played a lot because he matched up well with the zone. He can stretch them and open the floor. We played from out front instead of chasing all the time. Chasing against the zone is tough - start pressing a little bit. Dusted off an old zone offense yesterday. Thought it would stretch the floor through the middle and corner to corner. Northwestern plays zone more than anyone else in the league. The offense was knew for just about everybody.

Pritzl's 3: Our guys did a good job. Same play they called against Minnesota. Floor was flooded on our sideline, that's why Brevin had so much room.

Forcing turnovers: McIntosh is such a handful on ball screens. He's got that floater. You have to force him into tough ones and make sure he doesn't get to the rim. We did better against him in the second half. We did a better job on Pardon than we did last time.

Executing down the stretch: It comes from experience. It comes from painful experience, and we've had our share of them. We're becoming more consistent and developing an edge. They're starting to coach themselves. That's a good sign for a young group.

 

[lou v]

NU head coach Chris Collins

Opened by thanking the Allstate Arena staff for doing everything they could to make the arena their home this year.

Tough to lose a close one. We're so banged up and undermanned, I'm proud of our guys. Bryant couldn't even lift his arm the past two weeks. Didn't know he could take a shot. He plays his butt off and gave us everything he could. Same with Scottie. Wisconsin got in a rhythm early. We adjusted well. We had some critical turnovers down the stretch. Happ is a great player. He made a ton of hustle plays and Pritzl hit a big shot. In terms of fight, attitude and effort, everybody gave their all. That's all I can ask for.

Law's prognosis: Foot injury. Been nagging him all year. It was killing him not to be out there. He came in with those guys. He just couldn't play. No timetable. It's just how he's feeling. He wants to play.

What it's like to see your guys graduate: Olahs, Jershon Cobb, Crawford and Sanjay...I'll miss some of them...the guys I inherited, I consider them my guys too. They embraced me. But (for these guys he recruited) it's special. These were guys that took a leap of faith. There will be a special place in my heart for all of these guys forever. (He's tearing up a little and his voice is cracking.) This year doesn't tarnish their legacy. They got to the NCAA tournament, back-to-back 20 win seasons. That's their legacy. I wanted them to know that. They're not judged by this season, but a four-year body of work.

What did you say to Bryant: With each of them I thanked them and told them that I love them. (They) become your family. To see them struggle and the highest of the highs. I'll always have all their backs.

Pritzl's 3: We were trying to prevent them throwing the ball into Happ. Davison interfered with Scottie, and that opened up the middle. Gaines had to rotate and they made the one extra pass. Loose ball in front of bench, guys on the floor. If they called a jump ball, it's our ball. I'm not saying it was...but that's the fine line. It was a big shot.

 

[lou v]

Bryant McIntosh

Thanked everyone who followed his career and supported them.

Senior ceremony: Seniors chose to do it after the game so parents could be there. Sometimes it's tough to get there at an early tip.

What was it like coming off floor: It was emotional. It was my last home game, playing for him. I only have a handful left....It was a very reflective day for me. All the people that made it special: Our AD, coaches, players.

Still wearing uniform: I don't want to take it off. I don't know how many more times I'll wear the white uniform. This is a special one we were able to create.

On how he played through the injured shoulder: Adrenaline is an incredible thing, isn't it? I did a lot of rehab. Gives credit to trainer. I am banged up. It's Senior Night, I'm going to give it a go, just to see if I could help. My shoulder felt alright. I just gutted it out. There's some different things in there.

What will you remember most? I'll remember the game, how hard we fought. We laid it on the line tonight. We just battled tonight. It showed our character, even if we didn't win the game.

Difficult to reconcile this season with career: Coach said this year doesn't change our legacy for the program. It's been a rough year. A lot of adversity. A lot of stuff out of our control and a lot of stuff in our control that we didn't handle well. But I did everything I could for this program.

Mindset for Big Ten Tournament: Just lay it on the line every night. If we're going to go out, we're going to go out swinging.


Scottie Lindsey

Thanks Allstate Arena staff.

This year: We didn't live up to expectations that some people set for us this year doesn't take away from what we've already accomplished in our careers....Everyone is disappointed. We all wanted to do better.

What have you learned about yourself: The team learned how to deal with adversity...We've not been as good at that this year...You can't get quiet or shut down when you face adversity. You have to keep talking with your teammates to get through it.

Tears: I didn't shed any tears...We still have at least two games...Our season is not over.

 

[NJCat]

Law's prognosis: Foot injury. Been nagging him all year.

Seems like NU has had numerous foot injuries over the years, hope it isn't because of crappy UA shoes.

 

[willycat]

Bryant McIntosh

Thanked everyone who followed his career and supported them.

Senior ceremony: Seniors chose to do it after the game so parents could be there. Sometimes it's tough to get there at an early tip.

What was it like coming off floor: It was emotional. It was my last home game, playing for him. I only have a handful left....It was a very reflective day for me. All the people that made it special: Our AD, coaches, players.

Still wearing uniform: I don't want to take it off. I don't know how many more times I'll wear the white uniform. This is a special one we were able to create.

On how he played through the injured shoulder: Adrenaline is an incredible thing, isn't it? I did a lot of rehab. Gives credit to trainer. I am banged up. It's Senior Night, I'm going to give it a go, just to see if I could help. My shoulder felt alright. I just gutted it out. There's some different things in there.

What will you remember most? I'll remember the game, how hard we fought. We laid it on the line tonight. We just battled tonight. It showed our character, even if we didn't win the game.

Difficult to reconcile this season with career: Coach said this year doesn't change our legacy for the program. It's been a rough year. A lot of adversity. A lot of stuff out of our control and a lot of stuff in our control that we didn't handle well. But I did everything I could for this program.

Mindset for Big Ten Tournament: Just lay it on the line every night. If we're going to go out, we're going to go out swinging.


Scottie Lindsey

Thanks Allstate Arena staff.

This year: We didn't live up to expectations that some people set for us this year doesn't take away from what we've already accomplished in our careers....Everyone is disappointed. We all wanted to do better.

What have you learned about yourself: The team learned how to deal with adversity...We've not been as good at that this year...You can't get quiet or shut down when you face adversity. You have to keep talking with your teammates to get through it.

Tears: I didn't shed any tears...We still have at least two games...Our season is not over.

All of these guys, some more than others will be remembered as part of the first NU team to make the "Dance". Wonder what he meant about the statement, "a lot of stuff under our control".