University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin
3/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 2, 2016
Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
On the team's offense...
"We were having difficulty just from an offensive standpoint driving the ball. I think that that's kind of the identity of our offense so we're working on kind of switching up the way that we're playing. We weren't breaking out as much on the break. We were playing a little bit slower which is not ideal, but just with the [amount of] bodies, we kind of had to do that."
"We were having difficulty just from an offensive standpoint driving the ball. I think that that's kind of the identity of our offense so we're working on kind of switching up the way that we're playing. We weren't breaking out as much on the break. We were playing a little bit slower which is not ideal, but just with the [amount of] bodies, we kind of had to do that."
On Joey King's senior night...
"I'm disappointed Joey didn't have a better game, because he embodies what we're trying to build around here. He's a great kid and he's all about the name on the front of the jersey."
Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard
"I'm disappointed Joey didn't have a better game, because he embodies what we're trying to build around here. He's a great kid and he's all about the name on the front of the jersey."
Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard
Opening statement:
"This is a hard game to play. We dealt with one [Minnesota] lineup on Monday and a different lineup on Tuesday, and as much as we try to keep our focus on us, they understand what's going on. I thought we were pretty sharp at times. Then we go to the bench a little more and we got out of rhythm a little bit. Credit to our guys to be able to gather ourselves there and catch ourselves and get back in control of the game. I saw some good things. We need to be able to finish around the rim better, but they were obviously given a lot of help around the rim too."
On preparing after finding out about the suspensions of Kevin Dorsey, Nate Mason, and Dupree McBrayer:
"Well we prepared Monday as if they were playing and Tuesday as if they weren't. In terms of what we do defensively, it doesn't change schematically what we do. I thought we were a little porous in the first half... and I thought we were better in the second half in terms of that. I never worry about the score or the opponent, I'm always looking at our chart and grading our efficiency."
On the creating their own energy in Williams Arena:
"We played well early, but we had some moments where we sputtered a little. We had some foul trouble that threw us out of sync too, so we had to battle threw that in the first half. I thought we were better offensively in the first half than the second half, and then flip flopped - better defensively in the second, not as efficient or sharp offensively. Whenever you can get on the road in this league and get a win [is great]. This is always a tough place to play and we know it's a rivalry game. You just have to continue to march towards the postseason and take all the positives you can from it and all the teaching moments we can draw from this film, and keep moving forward."
Freshman Stephon Sharp
On chemistry when changing up the starting five...
On the rotation changing so much from the beginning of the year...
Freshman Stephon Sharp
On chemistry when changing up the starting five...
"We're trying to embrace it as much as we can. We're all playing as hard as we can and give it everything we got, letting the results end up where they may be."
On having the support of the guys on the bench...
"They're engaged everyday. They come to practice with a good attitude and just give us all pointers, especially me because they're all point guards and they've helped me a lot."
On playing for Joey King tonight...
"I think we all respond to Joey because we all know he's such a selfless player and he plays for the name on the front of the jersey, not on the front of the jersey."
On the opportunity he's been given...
"Coach preaches everyday to embrace the opportunity and that's really what I'm trying to do. Go out there and give my best effort, and do the best that I can."
Freshman Jordan Murphy
On the rotation changing so much from the beginning of the year...
"This stretch has seemed definitely awkward and weird just trying out different match-ups and lineups. Guys are playing positions that they don't usually play and, it's good to get out of your comfort zone, but we're playing hard and just trying to do our best."
On Stephon Sharp...
"I knew Steph had skill. I knew he had the IQ and everything. I'm really proud of him at this point. He's doing a really good job of just running the point, which he hasn't done since something crazy, like elementary school. It's just amazing, what he's doing right now. Being a walk on and being on the bench and cheering, doing what he's doing right now is just amazing and I'm really proud of him."
On taking more of a leadership role...
"I think I try to talk to our guys a lot, try to get us to keep fighting and bring that energy. You saw out there in the first half, it looked like we didn't have any energy, but we picked it up, and we picked it up well. I think that we came back and fought. We fought really well. Nate [Mason] still does a really good job of being a leader on and off the court, even though he's not playing. I try to talk to our guys as much as I can."
Players Mentioned
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