University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
1/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2014
Postgame Quotes
Minnesota (12-3, 1-1 B1G) 82, Purdue (10-5, 0-2 B1G) 79
Williams Arena - Minneapolis
Attendance: 11,851 (14,625 cap.)
Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening statement...
"Well I'm certainly very excited for our team because for about 35 minutes of the game we played phenomenally. We were up by 19 and then they cut it to three, and you want to focus on the negatives, but we have to remember for about 80 percent of the game we played great defense, rebounded the basketball and were really efficient on offense. So we are going to look back on this film and learn a lot. In the end, we did win and we played great against a really good team and I have to give them credit, too, because they hit good shots."
On this being the best game of the year so far...
"I thought we were really playing great especially offensively. We shot 52 percent through the game and it was really pretty good through the second half with 55 percent against a very, very good defensive team. So to do that against a very good team, we've got to be proud of them."
On Austin Hollins' game...
"I thought he played great today. Nine rebounds and was very efficient. Had a couple turnovers at the end of the game that we've got to shore up, but he was a great leader on the court and he did some things defensively that were very, very good and it is good to see those guys come back. The biggest issue with the last game is that we were taking shots that we don't practice, and today we took shots that were practiced."
Minnesota Player Quotes
Senior Guard Austin Hollins
On getting offensive rebounds against a taller team...
"We just needed to be aggressive. If they are not being physical or not boxing out, we need to be able to sneak in there and get the rebound. We are a tough team that needs to play smart."
On the team's defensive effort, forcing turnovers...
"We played great. We forced a lot of turnovers, especially in the half court, which really got our offense going. Defense is a key in games like today."
On differences of having the high-scoring game after a two-point performance versus Michigan ...
"Shots were falling today, and shots were not falling last time, especially having those first shots today really helped me later on."
Junior Guard DeAndre Mathieu
On driving and scoring on longer defenders...
"I just needed to get by the defender. I know, if I get past my guy, I will finish at the rim. They had some very good shot-blockers, but you just need to get around them."
On his chemistry with Austin Hollins...
"On those alley-oops, it's easy. He's so athletic that he just goes up and gets it (the ball). It is a lot of fun to play with a guy like that."
Junior Center Elliott Eliason
On Austin Hollins' high-scoring game today…
"Well, he is a captain on our team. We will be on a big road trip soon, but if he is shooting well like today, we will be a very tough team to beat. "
On blocking six shots and not getting into foul trouble…
"I think it was huge. (Blocking shots) is about knowing when to get aggressive, and you just have to pick your spot and knowing when to wall up when you need to."
Senior Guard Malik Smith
On making consecutive free throws…
"Coach told us to work on free throws a lot, and we have always been shooting free throws, which was huge today.
Purdue Head Coach Matt Painter
On the rally to make it close toward the end…
"We did a poor job of staying connected to a couple of their shooters. We had poor switches and got behind plays and they were able to shoot some open threes. We just have be more disciplined on the defensive end."
On where Purdue currently is defensively as a team this season…
"It's fool's gold sometimes when you get in non-conference and you're playing a different style than when you get into the Big Ten season. Everybody's a good player when you get into the Big Ten. Today was a little bit of a disappointment. They (Minnesota) just had too many good looks."
On Purdue center A.J. Hammons' performance…
"I thought [Elliott] Eliason was really good; he won the battle at that position. Travis Carroll came in and was on one leg and gave us everything he had. We just have to get more production from that position. We need to rebound better and get ahead of the play."
On what changed leading up to the late run…
"We were able to get a couple turnovers and get some good penetration. We drew a couple fouls; got to the free throw line, had a couple lay ups and knocked down some threes. The combination of that and getting some stops was the key part of that equation."
