Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. Michigan State

Feb. 12, 2019
Kohl Center  |  Madison, Wis.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo
Opening statement:
"It's a tough place to play and Greg's (Gard) done a great job with his squad. Our big deal was to give up some layups and not give up the 3s. Nick Ward was really, really good the first half for what we wanted done. In the second half, Cassius (Winston) and Kenny (Goins) played better, but I think our defense, holding them to 21 points in the second half, rebounds, getting back to the things that have won us games, I think was critical. To win six games on the road in this league so far maybe is one of our greatest accomplishments so far. There's no question, this was a big win in a tough place to play against a very, very good basketball team."
 
 On Ethan Happ:
"There's not a better kid in this conference than Happ and it's a tough thing that he missed some of those free throws. We just lost a game last week the same way, so it happens all over. There's a part of me, for the type of kid that he is, you feel for kids like that. But, I felt like the grit on the defense and the rebounding in the second half gave us a chance."

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard
Opening Statement:
"We are obviously disappointed in the outcome and how we executed down the stretch. When you are in a game like this, with a team like this, you have to be able to be complete. The last ten possessions, we obviously weren't. We had the mistake defensively and Goins got the 3, credit to him for knocking it down and for being able to finish off the possessions. We have to be more complete when we get to the free throw line, get the ball to a high percentage area and be able to complete that. We weren't able to do that. Credit goes to Michigan State. They make it hard to get open looks from 3. We were 2-for-10 (from 3) in the second half. There were some decent ones in there that were open at the end. We gotta continue to get better and find ways to improve. We've got a lot more basketball games left to play."

On the Badger bench:
"They do whatever is needed. Charlie, obviously, with the matchups with their bigs, that was a good matchup for him. He did a good job. Kobe, it was one of the better games he's played. Defensively, he is starting to figure things out, mature and grow where he can be more press worthy on that end. Sometimes, it is matchup driven on who is out or who gets to play more. Sometimes it is who is playing well. I thought we had good play from our bench tonight. I thought they did some good things."