Notes From The Locker Room
1/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Recap?|?
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo:
On overall game: "Give a lot of credit to Wisconsin, they played a good ball game. As soon as they came out I knew we were in for a long game. After the second and third timeout I thought I defense started locking up. Today was one of those days where character was made."
On the Michigan State Players: "Wisconsin did a good job of defending Charlie Bell. He got frustrated but we knew we could still go to him down the stretch. I kept telling Charlie Bell we're going to you, and kept setting up plays for him. Charlie Bell grew up a lot and gained some character as a team leader today."
"Marcus Taylor did a great job today. Turning the ball over only once in 31 minutes, which is a lot of time against a team like Wisconsin."
"Jason Richardson got exactly what he deserved tonight. He has spent more time working on his shots than anybody else this week."
"Al Anagonye has been playing great coming off the bench. He brings a lot of emotion to the game and is a great leader. Ever since the day I told him he was not starting he accepted his role and has grown with the change."
The ending (last minute of regulation): "I had confidence that we would come back in the end. I knew we could still go to Charlie even though he was struggling. Wisconsin is a good team that is well coached and senior laden. They played like they wanted it and could have won, we just played a little bit better."
Wisconsin Head Coach Brad Soderberg:
On Michigan State's defense: "Their defense was excellent tonight and I think they got a lot of juice from the crowd and that is one of the advantages of playing on your home court. I thought we stopped screening late in the game, which was different from the way we started. We were not as aggressive with our screens late in the game. MSU upped their press late in the game too and that made it difficult."
On Charlie Bell: "On his three-pointer we had a defensive breakdown in our system technique. To Charlie's credit, he made the shot. He did not have as good of a game as he has had before against us but he made a big play at the most crucial time in the game. He deserves a lot of credit."
On Jason Richardson: "He is a phenomenal athlete, another in the long line that Tom Izzo has brought to this program. They are the team to beat in the country, they are tough, motivated and talented in every position."
"Tonight was as well as we have played offensively all year. You have to play 40 good minutes in this league each night. Michigan State kept their composure. We will get back to work and play well."