Wisconsin vs. Ohio State
Kohl Center - Madison, Wis.
Feb. 4, 2016Â
Coach Greg Gard
Opening statement:
"Extremely proud of our guys and how they continue to battle and find a way. The obvious stat tonight was our ability to make 13 3s. We were able to adjust to some things and get better defensively as the game went on. We couldn't shut the door when we were up 10 or 12. For them to be able to keep finding ways, it comes through different players through different fashions. Obviously, Jordan Hill with his boost of 3s off the bench. Vitto (Brown) with how he played after not starting and battling back in the lineup. Proud of the guys and how they battled and continued to work. They're coming together as a team. That's the biggest thing I see from the inside. A lot is made from the x's and o's and the bench – but this group's chemistry and cohesiveness has grown immensely over the past seven or eight weeks."
On the mentality to get Nigel the ball in the post:
"That's just how it played into itself. Every timeout we had a couple specials called here and there, but for the most part, we just played through the swing. He found his way there. He's very good at finding spots and I thought he did a pretty good job of finding guys too. He found Vitto (Brown) on a rim-run and was able to stay with the play and get to the free-throw line. He can make a lot of things happen from the post. To be able to put the ball in one of your better player's hands that close to the basket puts a lot of pressure on the defense just from him himself, but also his vision and unselfishness and his ability to find people. I thought we did a good job of spreading the floor. We didn't get too bunched up. We did a good job of running to the rim on the ball side and taking that extra help guy away. From that standpoint, it may have looked like 'get Nigel the ball,' but that's just within the flow of what we do offensively."
On the difference between Nigel's first half and second half performance:
"'You're one for seven and you haven't taken a shot within 17 feet,' that's all I said. He said, 'Gotcha, coach.' The message to the whole team was we need to touch the post more, we need to get to the free throw line. I didn't like shooting 18 3s in a half, because sometimes they can dry up. Our forte is from the inside-out. If we are able to knock down 3s, great. There are times when we are going to need that. There are other times when you're not going to be able to go 13-27 from three and we have to make sure we stay true to who we are."
On Vitto Browns's composed nature over the last couple games:
"I think at times, injuries can slow people down and get them to play a little more within themselves. Obviously, you didn't see when I took him out in the first half. My message to him there wasn't anything to do with playing under control. His shot selection waned a little bit along with some other things – blocking out and the simple things. He got that message and made sure in the second half he stayed within himself and within what's best for this team. That's really what it boils down to. Step back and look at it. It's not what's best for you, but what's best for this team. They're growing in the right direction and he is one that has taken steps forward."
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On if his conversation with head coach oach Greg Gard at halftime sparked his second-half performance: "Definitely. Going into this game, our desiderata in order to beat them was making sure we got the ball inside. I needed to make sure I did that a little better and I think I did that a little better. I was able to get some easy things around the rim. I saw the ball go in and then was able to get some outside shots and get to the line and knock those down. For the most part, I still missed too many, but all in all, we did a better job at that."
On how happy it makes him to be the guy that delivered the basket every time the team needed it:
"I tried my best to get my teammates involved. I don't want to be a ball hog or anything like that. Being looked at as a leader and the best player on the team, if we need a bucket I have to be able to produce it and get those points. I do my best to try and do that. If I get doubled or put into a sticky situation, I can always count on my guys to help me out. Ethan (Happ) bringing it to the cup like he does. Bronson (Koenig) with the 3s. Jordan (Hill) with the 3s as well. Vitto (Brown) with the mid-range shot for us. I'm not the only one, but I guess I'll take the lead singer in our rock band."
On if the team is better able to make adjustments against other teams now:
"I think we're a little more tuned in just because everyone has a little bit more care in them. Everyone cares a little bit more and I think that makes it easier for us to accept coaching."
On if they were expecting the opportunity to take so many 3s and if he's back to being aggressive with his own shot:
"Definitely, the way they played us last year, they doubled Frank (Kaminsky) and Nigel in the post, so we knew that we would get some kick-out 3s. To your second question, I'm trying to be more aggressive and do whatever I can to help my team win."
On what it tells them that they can beat teams ranked higher than them:
"It tells us something we've known for forever now, that we can play with anybody. Not only in our conference, but in the country. We just have to keep getting better every day and doing what we're doing and make every team play our style of basketball. We have to control the tempo and play harder than every team we play, which is something we've been saying every single game, especially since the lost to Northwestern."
On the lift that Jordan Hill has been giving them off the bench: "He's been giving us a big lift off the bench, and it's something for him to come in and make a play and get in the lane and kick it out. I love playing with him. He's a competitor. He plays really good defense and seems to hit a lot of big shots when we need him."
Ohio State Head Coach Thad MattaOn if Ohio State prepared for Wisconsin to shoot as many 3-pointers as it did:"It was something we talked about. We wanted to give as much support as we could down low, not doubling. We weren't as quick as we probably needed to be to get back and we didn't help the helper. But give them (Wisconsin) credit. They got rolling and it really became contagious."
On what was working defensively against Nigel Hayes in the first half but not in the second half:"Great player. We felt like he was going to get going. He got to the foul line some, had a couple nice finishes. The one 3 he hit we didn't realize the shot clock was winding down. We should've pushed up on him a little bit more. He did a great job the last 20 minutes."
