University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Northwestern
1/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening Statement:
Credit to them, they were really good. We were really bad. I thought the first half we were getting good looks we just weren't scoring. I thought we were going to stay with them in the second half and then those first four minutes, they got us and it altered the game. Our guys have to figure out when times get tough on the court, you have to guard and rebound. We did not do that, they shot 56%, 65% in the second half and were plus 16 on the rebounding margin. Credit them, they just totally outplayed us, we have to do a better job and that's all on me.
On the team's second half effort:
Until our identity is defense and rebounds, we've got no shot because we are not a great offensive team. I thought we were actually doing some good things but until there is a personal individual commitment and team commitment to it, it's going to be really hard. There are going to be more games like this than Penn State unfortunately, or Michigan State 69-61 I thought our guys believed in stops and rebounds.
On the Gophers' season paralleling Northwestern last year:
Yeah I think we're going through it a little bit kind of like he did last year. I mean they lost 10 in a row last season and then you look at where they are sitting now. I can see a lot of those guys Demps, Olah, McIntosh that went through it last year and are better from it. Right now present day it is not a whole lot of fun but we have to learn. You have to stay positive today, you're going to get beaten down just because there are so many eyeballs on your program. I'm not saying that they shouldn't beat us down, that's just the reality of it, especially when you play like that at home. That's the way that sports work, if you play like that people are going to get on you and get on me, which they should but you have to stick with what you're doing and believe in it as well as stay confident while also understanding what is wrong.
Northwestern Head Coach Chris Collins
Opening Statement:
Pleased with our effort today. I told the guys that cover us that this was a huge game for us because we've been a team in past years that when it hasn't gone well, it turns into an extended losing streak. My first year we were 5-5 and lost 7 in a row and then last year won the first game and then lose 10 in a row. We had a tough week last week losing to two really good teams Maryland and Ohio State and this was a big game to test where we are as a team. I thought it was a team win and not the McIntosh and Demps show, although those guys did a good job. I thought we got great contributions from a lot of players and functioned well offensively. We moved the ball well, we did a good job against their pressure with only a few careless turnovers. I believe only 10 in the first half and then 3 in the second but I thought our efficiency was really good. A lot of guys stepped up and made shots and made it just a really good win for us. Any time you can win on the road in the Big Ten you have to savor it because it isn't easy. We're going to enjoy this one today and head home and then have a quick turnaround against Wisconsin who took Maryland to the buzzer today and will be determined coming into our building.
On the margin of victory:
I just thought it was one of those games. It's not indicative, on a given night those guys can beat us and they have talent. Richard is a really good friend of mine and he has a lot of young guys and I know the feeling from my first two years. What I see with him I love where his program is at, it just so happened we got it rolling and they weren't on their game.
On keeping a team positive during struggles:
It's hard, you know it's not easy. We're both in year three and young guys that grew up with fathers in basketball. We talk a lot in the summers. You just have to try and find the small victories and the ways you're improving to keep the morale up. When you're going through it you have to try some new things, maybe different lineups, different practice methods. Those are just things I did, but at the end of the day there's no exact science. I will tell you that this is a program on the right track, Nate Mason a Sophomore, Jordan Murphy a Freshman, Lynch sitting out is a difference maker, Amir Coffey's sister plays for our women's team and he's a stud. They're going to get this thing going, it's just tough when you go through it but these next couple of years they will be a tough team to beat.
Senior Joey King
