Postgame Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Green Bay
December 23, 2017
Kohl Center  |  Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard
 
Opening statement:
"I am extremely happy for our guys. Coming out of the break, finishing up finals and having more time to practice I saw some signs of improvement and they did a good job carrying that improvement over into the game. By in large, for the most part, we did some really good things that we'll build upon and grow from and obviously learn from areas we need to continue to get better at. I was happy to be able to get some guys some experience, specifically (Walt) McGrory. I think that's important as we go forward, knowing our backcourt situation. All in all, very pleased with how hard we played and how they tried to take what we've been working on over the past eight, nine days as we've been able to practice during finals and have it transpire here today."
 
On Davidson's defense:
"His defense is pretty advance for a freshman. Now as he gets older, his body will change more, hopefully he'll become a little more athletic where he can extend a little bit, guard quicker guys, those type of things. The one thing about him defensively, you never have to question his toughness. When you have a kid that has that much toughness and that much heart, in terms of understanding the game, reading angles, knowing when to take a charge and when not to, the willingness to put your body there and knowing you're going to get hit not only in the front but also on your backside as you go to the floor. There's obviously a skill set to it, of being a good defender, but there's also a mindset. All of the best ones we've had here, going way back to before I was here, Mike Kelley, and his mindset and his make up knowing how he is and how he played, the numerous ones we've had here in the last 17, 18 years, they've all had pretty much the same DNA: tough-minded, have a big heart, are willing to give up their body for their team from the standpoint of taking charges. Not everybody's always willing to do that. Obviously for him, for Brad specifically, that's an added element that helps us for sure. We need to get more guys to do it." 

Wisconsin Freshman Guard Brad Davison
 
On how extra practice time recently has helped:
"We haven't had a whole lot of time to practice (and) we've had a tough schedule with games back-to-back. We've had a lot of time to just hone in on all of our weaknesses and build on our strengths. It's been a lot of time, whether it was individual skill work or team defense or just running through our offense, it's just trying to get everyone on the same page. It worked really well for us today. That's our goal, just keep getting better every game and every practice. The result will take care of itself."

On his approach offensively:
"They were trying to deny passing lanes and trying to get up into the ball, so I was just trying to take some pressure off my teammates and kind of ease their pressure a little bit. Whenever you can get to the rim, it's always a good thing. Whether it's getting to the rim and scoring or getting to the rim to create for others, it was definitely in my mindset today going into the game."

Wisconsin Freshman Nate Reuvers
 
On his approach offensively:
"You could tell they were pressing us a lot in that game. Same with Brad (Davison), he's able to get to the rim. They were coming up on me and trying to take advantage of that, going in and getting a bucket. I have been missing some shots I normally make, I shot that 3 today that felt like I've never shot a three before in my life; came off wrong. But I'll keep working in the gym and start hitting those."

On keeping Green Bay out of the paint:
"We're always trying to get the ball in the paint and not allow other post players to catch the ball. I think we did a good job, even when they caught it they really either didn't get in the paint or when they did we had a good chest up. They weren't able to finish all those tonight, their shooting percentage in the paint was probably not that good. That's what we want to do, control in the paint. That's Wisconsin basketball."