Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. Illinois

Jan. 8, 2020
Kohl Center  |  Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard

Opening Statement
"Obviously credit to Illinois for making plays down the stretch. I thought defensively we got out of character and really I wasn't comfortable with where we were defensively all night, too many uncharacteristic mistakes and we could never get separation, being up no more than seven at any given time. They made some shots when they needed to, we couldn't get stops and they were able to earn it. They did to us what we had done at Ohio State, just hang around, hang around, make plays down the stretch and they did."

On Wisconsin's performance down the stretch
"We allowed them to be very comfortable specifically at the start of the second half, they had nine points in the first four possessions and then they finished fourteen (points) on seven (possessions) at the end. So defensively this has been uncharacteristic of us throughout the year. Whether it was miscommunication – we helped off the same side for a three, we were late, we didn't do a good job chasing another three – a lot of mistakes throughout the game where we had a chance to get some more separation. But credit to them for hanging around and making some plays."

On Wisconsin's shot on the final possession
"(D'Mitrik Trice) needed to shoot a step back or pull up right there or you've got to jumpstop and draw contact, pump fake, but there wasn't a foul or anything. I saw the replay, but we needed to get a shot up and he's been in those positions before. We will show him the tape and talk about what a better option should have been."

Redshirt Junior Micah Potter

On falling short 
"It really stings, especially in a game like that where it's so close. Its a one-point game. We got to give them credit, they hit big shots. We didn't hit them. We have to do a better job defensively."   

Redshirt Sophomore Kobe King
 
On closing out the game
"Once we got up, I think we could have done a better job at slamming the door. At the end of the game, we missed a couple of easy looks, good shots. They made a couple tough ones and that was the game. They were able to close it out a lot better than we did."
 
Redshirt Junior D'Mitrik Trice
 
On Ayo Dosunmo's late shot
"Big time players make big time plays when they need it and it went to [Ayo Dosunmo]. Towards the end of the game he made some big time shots. I know he got a layup and then a three right after that. Obviously he's a really good player so we've got to tip our hat to him."