Michigan State University Athletics
NCAA Tournament Press Conference - Saturday
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Coach Izzo Press Conference Video
MSU Player Press Conference Video
Virginia Preview
Head Coach Tom Izzo
On Branden and Travis' sense of urgency as seniors ...
Travis is off the charts. Every minute is important to him. Branden doesn't always show that as much, but I thought he was very focused when the game started yesterday. Everybody handles that excitement differently. We have to keep Branden in the game. Branden and Travis are pretty well-schooled. Those are the guys you rely on.
On key lessons to getting a team ready ...
We do things in 15-20 minute intervals whether it's before a game, after, before breakfast or whenever. We just try to keep the focus which is hard at this time of year. There's parents, families, hotels, games on television, upsets happening and I know the attention span isn't good when you're fatigued and tired. I've stole things from a lot of good coaches. I've stole some things from Coach Krzyzewski about how to win the weekend and how you have to prepare when your program gets to a certain level. You have to make sure that your players understand that it's one game at a time. I haven't come up with some diabolical plan. Most of my plans have been stolen from other people.
On his memories of playing Virginia last year ...
Offensively they are different. They run some great stuff. They're disciplined. There's no question that this is a really good team but they lost two good players last year. We lost some good players too. They're a mistake free team on pretty much both ends of the court. You're going to earn your keep when you play them. It was a war last year and that's the way the game should be played. It was a dog fight until then end. I think both teams played hard as hell and hopefully it'll be the same tomorrow.
Senior Travis Trice
On Colby Wollenman ...
Colby has fit in with our group since day one. He's a great asset to our team. Lately he's been playing a lot and he's really stepped up and played in some big games. He's a great guy and he adds a different dynamic to our locker room.
On keeping Michigan State's season alive ...
Last year definitely hurt with us being so close in the elite eight game. We felt like we were four minutes away from making it to the Final Four and keeping the streak alive. But we just feel like that added to this year and we just want to start that streak back again. That was the reason Branden and I came here was to go to Final Fours and play in championship games.
Senior Branden Dawson
On last year's Sweet 16 matchup against Virginia where he had a double-double ...
Virginia is a great team. It was a well fought game by both teams last year. They play hard. They're great defensively. They're a disciplined team and they don't make many mistakes.
Junior Denzel Valentine
On preparation for Virginia
We just have to be solid on everything and be sharp with our cuts. I think if we do what we do on offense we'll be fine.
On playing well on the road ...
We have the "us against the world" mentality. At the end of the day we're good enough players and we can do this. It's new because it's the NCAA tournament but we've been here before.
On Wisconsin preparing Michigan State for Virginia ...
They're a similar paced team. Virginia is a little bit more athletic and a more physical team. We just have to go out there and make smart passes and not turn the ball over.
Freshman Marvin Clark Jr.
On Virginia ...
They make you guard for all 35 seconds and they want you to make mistakes. We're going to have to be focused. It's going to be a game of true testament.
On Magic Johnson's advice ...
The biggest thing that he pointed out was communication. He said as long as we communicate, we'll be fine. He said not to get caught up with coach yelling at you, but to stick with your team.
Junior Bryn Forbes
On transition play ...
I think it's pretty good. If we rebound the ball and get to our outlets and get up the court, we should be able to do some damage in the fast breaks and things like that.
On role as sixth man ...
I think it took me a little while to get comfortable in that role, you know, knowing exactly what you got to do. Now that I've been in that situation for a few weeks now, I've gotten used to it. I want to come in and bring energy and make every play and do everything that I can do.
On experience of tournament ...
It's one of the best experiences I've had so far. I feel like there is a lot more to come now, so, it's just been exciting.
On mindset for tomorrow ...
I'm focused and I'm ready to play. I think can play better than I did yesterday.
