Post-game press conference notes

[azimmerman_1]

Chris Collins

Opening statement: I'm just really happy for my guys, we haven't won in a while, and I'm just really proud of the way they competed. We know we caught a break not having Kaleb Wesson in the game, but sometimes that happens. They're a different team without him there, but it's a team that's fighting for postseason aspirations and our guys fought tonight. I actually thought that was the best stretch Barrett Benson has given us in quite some time. I thought Dererk was fantastic, we wanted to go inside as much as possible. I bet when it went from 15 to 11 there were some whispers, 'is this Iowa all over again', but not tonight.

On Ryan Taylor: He got in foul trouble, no particular reason [he only played nine minutes], just matchups, I thought the guys on the floor did a good job.

On the defense: We've been a good defensive team. Without Wesson in there you can play more straight up and stay on their shooters, we fouled a little too much, but we got our hands up and did a good job.

On what this win means: Hopefully it'll give the guys some confidence. Obviously we're not where we want to be but we can't look back, we can't look at the last month and a half, we can control tonight and we can control what we do on Saturday. When you find a way to put 40 minutes together people are feeling good, there's some extra pep in your step, and we can get excited for Senior day. We're excited for the challenge.

 

[azimmerman_1]

Chris Holtmann

Opening statement: Give Northwestern credit here, they made it difficult for us the whole night. We'll try to respond and get ready for our last game.

On the slow start: Their size presented some problems for us, we tried to play inside out and that didn't work. Our turnovers hurt us too, there in transition that's what I was most disappointed about.

On Pardon: We had no answer for him, Kyle Young was giving us much as he could, but we just had no answer.

 

[azimmerman_1]

Dererk Pardon

On what stands out on the stat-sheet: Pretty much for me, just the fact that we held them for 50 points, we got stops and executed when we needed to.

On if it was easier without Wesson playing: I mean, of course. He's a great player and a big presence inside. It opened up a lot for us.

On the future of the program: I feel that it's very bright. We have some good young guys here and some good guys coming in. I feel like we'll be good in the future.

On Barrett Benson: I was just happy in the first half that he went up to dunk the ball with one hand. He hasn't had the best stretch of games, so just to see him have positive minutes was great.

Vic Law

On the feeling: Feels better than it has, I'm just happy we can go into Senior night and the Big Ten tournament on a high note.

On what stands out on the stat-sheet: I look at the stat sheet and I see that Dererk got 20 [points] and 13 [rebounds], and he made a three, it was important to give him the ball with Wesson not playing.

On the loss of Wesson for OSU: You don't have to double, a lot of their offensive play calls are run through him. I think he opens it up for their other players too.