Post-game press conference notes

[lou v]

Collins

It was a great game. That atmosphere was everything we dreamed about when we built this place.

We got down 15 and didn't quit. Other teams got down against them and laid down. Proud of effort, proud of our fight, but I'm not a moral victory guy. I'm not happy.


Last play: Vic on one side, Taylor on other. Michigan switched out. Hit one guy on the wing. Wasn't shot we wanted but credit him for getting something on the glass.

Pardon: He was fantastic. That's how he has played. No one works harder -- for four years. I love having him on my team.

Didn't play freshmen in second half: Wanted Gaines on Brazdeikis. Down 15, went with the guys that got us back in the game.

Defensive adjustments: Simpson was getting in lane. He was the head of the snake, he was getting into our paint. They're a great team.

Offensive key: Cutting hard. They're a great defensive team. Proud of our execution down the stretch. Vic had a great drive to basket. They defended last play well, still got a shot up.

Michigan: They don't have many holes. That's why they're 9-0 or whatever they are and beat everybody by 30 points -- except us.

Brazdeikis: He's really good, fun guy to watch play. Tough, he can dribble, he can shoot.

 

[lou v]

Beilein

If you've seen our last three games here, that shot would've gone in. Knew we would have a game like this. Needed to win it. It made us better.

Have to make sure this game resonates with us. So many things we can do better.


NU defense: They have a great plan. They're long at every position. That bothered us. We can't just outscore people. We have to grind people.

Teske: He was big. Pardon had a great first half. Teske was good on him in the second half.

Last possession: Switch on everything if it was a ball screen. Off the ball, the only guy that wasn't switching was Teske on Pardon.

New arena: It's tremendous. We went through this in 2011. Atmosphere was tremendous. Like a February dogfight. They should be very proud. They did a great job. Jim Phillips is one of my favorite ADs. Did a fantastic job. You have to have resources and Northwestern has resources now.

He's talking a lot and quickly -- I'm just noting some highlights.

Pardon: He's a four-year college player. Been a starter. 6-8 with long arms, makes him 6-10. Ethan Happ-like, has feeling for the game. Great feel for the game. If he could really shoot it, he'd be a really special player.

Hook-and-hold: Should be for flagrant hook and holds, when guys go down. That was ridiculous.

 

[lou v]

Dererk Pardon and Vic Law

Getting more people involved in offense: Cuts and pace, everyone is involved in offense. We're not scheming to get me and Dererk points. Credit to Michigan. They played well.

Pardon: Getting comfortable in offense.

Lost two games by two points: Similar to Michigan. Have leadership and tenacity to come back with runs. They've been there before. We have a new group. Hopefully mindset will change. Simpson was huddling up, leading team. We can hang with whoever we play. Michigan is No. 5.

Law on last play: Loop cut with Vic. Then screen for Taylor. They switched it. Tried to set a flat ball screen, they were locked in. Coulda got a better shot. Learn from it moving forward.

Atmosphere: Big shout out to our student section and W-R Arena. It was great. Law: It was fantastic.

Pardon injury: Just rolled my ankle. "I'm good."

Fatigue? Pardon: Not necessarily.

Law after surgery: I feel great. I feel good. Nothing is holding me back. It's more of a mindset, really.

 

[DaCat]

Final year for Vic and Dererk. They deserve another Dance. It seems the team is just a few plays away from becoming elite. The transfers, Taylor and Turner, have to do better. Better shooting and defending. Taylor fouled on two 3-point shots, was out of position and charged the shooter both times. Turner had a couple of bad turnovers. I think both will play better going forward.