Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. Northwestern
January 26, 2019
Kohl Center | Madison, Wis.
HEAD COACH GREG GARD
On the team performance:
"Defensively, one of our better efforts. I think our group is starting to grow in that way and the best thing about the best defensive teams we've had is that it starts to become instinctual. When they are mistakes or breakdowns, they cover up for each other. This group is understanding and appreciating the importance of that end. Obviously, the ability to take care of the ball, knowing that games with Northwestern typically are lower possession games, we had to be really good in both of those areas and we were. Happy for our guys, it was a terrific effort."
On Ethan Happ:
"I think one of the things that jumps out that is not on the stat sheet is the job he did defensively, on [Dererk] Pardon. Specifically, when Nate [Reuvers] got in foul trouble and we had to ride that match up longer than we wanted. He was really active in terms of his post defense and positioning. One of the better jobs he's done in the post."
On the bench celebrating Tai Strickland:
"These guys are there for each other. It's a tight group, we've said some of our best teams have been our closest teams, and that transcends off the floor. So they want to see Tai [Strickland] do well, obviously because he spends a lot of time on the scout team and is learning as a freshman. It's good because I watch the film and any time one of the regular guys in the rotation makes a play, Tai is the one of the guys up off the bench cheering for them too.
NORTHWESTERN HEAD COACH COACH COLLINS
Opening Statement:
"Wisconsin certainly is a heck of a team, we knew that coming in. I'm a big fan of how they play, they never beat themselves and in order to be competitive and put yourself in a position to try to win, especially here, you have to be air-tight on both ends. You have to play terrific defense and you have to execute well, because they are very sound defensively. They do a good job at not fouling, they keep their bodies in front of you and make you make shots."
On Ethan Happ:
"He's a hard guy to prepare for. If you play him single-coverage all night, he's probably going to foul your big guys out.
"He's so smart, he's seen everything in five years, he's seen every coverage, he knows where his guys are, he's just an incredible college player.
"He's incredible. He's a nightmare when you're trying to prepare for him, he's a nightmare because he gets the ball and he's like a point guard at the center position. He brings it up, he can drive you from the perimeter, he can get you from the low-post, he's a terrific passer, he's great on the offensive glass, he's great defensively, he's got great instincts and hands for steals and blocked shots, he's a terrific college player. I mean, who cares he's going to be a pro, he's going to make money all those things, but let's celebrate him for what he's been to the college game. He is a phenomenal player and he impacts winning in so many ways and I've been a huge fan and watched him for these past 4-5 years. It's a nightmare playing against him but I love how he plays, he's just a winner."
On Brad Davison and D'Mitrik Trice:
"Give Brad and D'Mitrik the credit, those two guys go 7-for-12 from three and when they're shooting like that with Happ they become a very difficult team to beat."
