Post-Game Quotes: Elite Eight vs. Duke
3/31/2019 10:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Michigan State Associate Head Coach Dane Fife
Q: What was your reaction to Kenny's shot?
DANE FIFE: We were trying to decoy Kenny because we run that play so much lately and he was the only one that wasn't surprised that he was that was that wide open I guess because I don't think anyone said Kenny if you're open shoot it but Cassius set a hell of a screen which allowed Kenny to have a second I remember seeing Cassius stuck on the other side and I was seeing how they were guarding Tillman, Cassius is supposed to set the screen for Kenny which he did and then he was supposed to break off and loop off under Tillman's guy and we were looking for the wow and to see who was going to go with whether they were both going to with Cassius or Tillman which would lead to an easy three for Cassius or a lob for Tillman but Kenny broke the play off so he is going to be reprimanded Kenny has such good looks from that exact play where its just an easy pin down because there are so many guys on Cassius like I said, he hasn't been open as of late. My reaction, I just looked at him and smiled.
Q: So you guys have run that play a lot recently?
DANE FIFE: Yeah the simple quick hitter action where we bounce it off of Tillman and Cassius sets a screen for Kenny at the elbow and just steps back. There is more to the play that I'm not going to reveal typically Tillman sets a screen for Cassius after Cassius sets a screen for Kenny The players called it they called it in the huddle I think it was Cassius and Tillman we coaches were looking for some kind of screen for Cassius off the ball and then a slip because we felt like everyone would go with Cassius but they backed us up made the call and made the decision I thought he did a pretty good job he had to expense so much energy over the weekend I thought he did an exceptional job on Williamson all around he's been, he just helped everyone That was just a well-played game by Kenny and Tillman, we asked them to do a lot and they did they did a pretty good job on Barrett as well I think X is overlooked because What we see is usually different than what the stats shows and what the public sees. X does a lot of things that are just he does a lot of things like Draymond (Green) in which he makes up for a lot of mistakes I think he makes up defensive mistakes, switches, helping at the rim even though it's not his help, it's hard to tell but he is probably our best screen he understands angles setting a good screen will lead to him getting easier baskets he is just the ultimate move to guy, it's getting to the point where he can play two positions both positions he knows every play. We don't play against a team like Duke in terms of defensive scheme, they make it tough to reverse and tough to get your offense going, once you get across half court your catching it out farther than you want to catch it.
I was impressed with their strength, their so young, smart naturally strong. I was impressed with their ability to rebound the ball athletically those guys are draft picks in the NBA for a reason and its not just because of their skill, they are elite athletes they just don't come around very often they've been on TV 30 times on national television so by virtue of turning on the tv we get a pretty good scouting report on them Kenny gave up a lot including scholarship to be a part of this team, it hasn't been easy for him he's been through a lot of frustration injury and there were probably times when we didn't think Kenny would make it here. It's a classic case of senior 5th year senior delivering his promise, making him come here as a walk on you make promises you're not given anything he delivered on his promise stay focus work hard and live Michigan state basketball and so that's getting closure for a guy that's given his all to the program and he's given his all I think Cassius's main struggle his first two years was playing at his pace and there was a certain element that he struggled to grasp.
Michigan State Players
Junior Guard Cassius Winston
Q: You only had one turnover, RJ and Zion had 12 combined—what made you so successful?
CASSIUS WINSTON: we were in those gaps. We didn't let them get in those driving lanes where
they were comfortable at. We forced them to kind of pass and if they didn't, we got our hands
in there and on the ball.
Q: You played all 40 minutes and only one turnover how'd you navigate that?
CASSIUS WINSTON: I shot the ball a lot and that helped. When you throw it at the rim you
don't really make turnovers. But I really didn't let them speed me up or rush me. I kept my
composure, made good looks and stuff like that.
Q: What's the difference between the way you guys finished this year this with this team
going through the injuries and everything and the last couple years?
CASSIUS WINSTON: I think this year; we've been playing our best basketball toward the end of
year and that's big. We play together and focus on our defense the most. We allow our defense
to win us games and that's the biggest part.
Senior Forward Kenny Goins
Q: That last play, were you the first option there?
KENNY GOINS: Never. I wasn't the first option, I'm pretty sure Cassius was (Cassuis
Winston), actually on the lob too maybe, but I just got to be ready to shoot when Cass
got the ball (Winston) and I was.
Q: How did it feel when it went down?
KENNY GOINS: As soon as it left my hand, I knew it was going down. I just had to wait
for it to go down at that point. I was definitely living in the moment, celebrating, but I
snapped back into reality and knew I had to get a stop.
Q: Is there something extra special about slaying the giant, I mean all college
basketball heard about and talked about has been Duke and Zion, and to beat
them like you did in this type of game?
KENNY GOINS:: They were rightfully praised, great team, great coach, and the talent
they have there is incredible. As a competitor you always want to compare yourself to the
best and they told us and everybody that they are the best, and we had a chance to
prepare and I think we did a hell of job, and they did a hell of a job. That's why it
became such a good game.
Junior Forward Nick Ward
Q: You specifically mentioned a final four, some unfinished business and a lot more, what
does it feel like now to see that dream reach what you talked about so early on?
NICK WARD: Wow, I don't even know how to feel right now. I'm just excited to get to
Minneapolis and get the job done against Texas Tech.
Q: I just asked (Duke head coach) Mike Krzyzewski if this Spartan team had the ability to win it all and he said the
way you played defense, the way you rebound—absolutely. Has this just been an extra shot
of confidence this post season since the regular season?
NICK WARD: yeah you know what, I'm very excited. Coach K has a great team, they play great,
but we just stuck to our game plan you know. Played great defense and we didn't turn over the
ball that much.
Q: have you been in many games like that where there was just so little separation between
the two teams?
NICK WARD: I've been in a lot of games. I've been in blowouts and when we're on the other
side of things, but you know what we just stuck to what coach said and that was a huge part of
our game plan.
Q: Could you feel the intensity out there in that game—was it different?
NICK WARD: Yeah, it's a lot different than it looks. There's a whole bunch what you guys don't
see out there. Zion's quicker than he looks, stronger than he looks. RJ is hard to guard. They are
great players.
Q: What were those things he said (Tom Izzo) that you had to do to win the game?
NICK WARD: Don't turn the ball over, don't foul, and make great plays
Q: What was going through your mind when Duke went on that 12-0 run?
NICK WARD: Damn, really. We had them, but you know what we didn't lose hope. We
went to the locker room, we regrouped, and we took them back
Q: How sweet is it to knock out the giant?
NICK WARD: It is. That was a big boulder in our way. They were a number 1 seed and
they probably have the modern day most athletic player we've seen in a while, but it
was huge knocking them out and getting them out the way.
Freshman Forward Aaron Henry
Q: What is this feeling like?
AARON HENRY: It was wonderful, it was second to none. Probably one of the highlights of my
life so far. I'm glad I could do it for my teammates and be a part of something special.
Q: I'm sure you've dreamed about heading to the final four—did you dream about it in your
first year?
AARON HENRY: not my first year. I didn't imagine it being this hard either—they don't tell you
about that part, but I've dreamed about it since I was a kid—every kid should. It's a goal that
attainable if you put the work in. It's just a blessing
Q: You mentioned how hard it was during your journey—what was the hardest part?
AARON HENRY: Just the competition—the runs they make. Staying true to yourself and being
confident in what you do, just knowing that they are going to make runs.
Q: What's that like, you've had to sit through a lot of tight games this year, but
when it's that tight near the end, when you what on the line, what's it like sitting
on that sideline?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: It was great to watch. I was just claiming the blood of Jesus the
whole game. That cover a multitude of things and you see prayer works. I'm just glad
God has allowed us to have the favor that He's given us and this team and like I said,
we still got more nets to cut.
Q: So you were actively praying on the sideline near the end?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: Near the end, I definitely was
Q: Before Kenny's (Goins) shot, after Kenny's shot?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: I always pray during the games, nothing new.
Q: What are you feeling for Kenny, who has been to a Final Four, for him to get
another chance and hit a shot like this on his way out?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: I mean, it's great man I'm so happy for Kenny because he has
put so much time in for this team and for Michigan State. For this to be his last year, him
and Quaido (Matt McQuaid), getting to a Final Four their last year, that's special man
and you can't trade that in for the world. For these guys playing basketball, you can't get
more special than that.
Redshirt Junior Forward Kyle Ahrens
Q: To see this team keep going after losing him after losing you, what's that been like?
KYLE AHRENS: It's awesome to see what these guys have done, they always find a way to win.
Come up big in the last couple minutes so I'm so happy for them.
Q: When it's this big what's it like from an observers standpoint?
KYLE AHRENS: It's amazing to be a part of its special.
Q: What do you feel for Kenny hitting that big shot?
KYLE AHRENS: Oh I knew that was going in. He hits that shot all the time so just for him to step up
you know, his fifth year it doesn't get much better than that.
Q: Were you watching it whole way or did you close your eyes like Nick?
KYLE AHRENS: No I didn't close my eyes I was watching it the whole way.
Q: I know you've seen a lot of great performances from Cassius and the way he was able to
take that over late, what do you have to say about that?
KYLE AHRENS: He's the best point guard in the country no doubt abut I, that's what he does, he's
done it throughout the season he gets people open and he creates other peoples shots, he's the best
player.
Q: What about the play from Xavier (Tillman), how he guarded Zion?
KYLE AHRENS: He executed the game plan really well, the coaches told him what o do and he stuck
to it, he did a really good job.
Q: What was yesterday and this morning like, did you get the sense that there was a
confidence in this team?
KYLE AHRENS: Yeah we were definitely confident. Just always having each other's backs it's what
we do, just everywhere we go we were ready for this one.
Q: Beating Duke specifically does that make this any sweeter?
KYLE AHRENS: Yeah it's just amazing to hold up the trophy at the end of the day, it doesn't matter
who we are playing. There such a great time, it's an amazing feeling.
Q: You didn't get to cut down the nets in Chicago, what went through your head when you got
to do it?
KYLE AHRENS: Just its awesome climbing the ladder doing it again, we hpe to have one more net to
cut down, so we just have to get back to work when we get back.
Q: What does it mean to you, magic Johnson just said college basketball needed a game like
this is huge. For the sport what does that?
KYLE AHRENS: It's special, just to be in this kind of stage just a part of this its special in every way.
Q: You guys have beat so many people this year when you get punched you punch back that
13-0 run in the first path did you guys have a feeling that was coming?
KYLE AHRENS: No, we just stuck to the game plan coaches did a really good job executing and
telling us what to do, we executed really well so we give all the coaching the credit for that.
Q: What happened in the time out after that?
KYLE AHRENS: We just calmed each other down can't get to much into the emotion it's the game of
basketball somebody's going to go on a run so we just have to calm each other down.
Q: What are you chances of playing Saturday?
KYLE AHRENS: Taking it day by day as of now we'll see what this week does in terms of just being a
competitor obviously it goes to show that you want to be out there but how can you quantitate that
obviously it's hard being on the bench but being on the bench with these kind of guys who are there
that are there every step of the way with you I'm so happy for them and having someone like josh
there with me talking with me he is a special guy so just taking it day by day.
Q: You said the first time you talked to us you said this team could still go to a Final Four and
we said yeah right what does that mean now?
KYLE AHRENS: I just feel like our chemistry is better than anyone knows, we have a lot of
experience we play off of each other.
Q: I want to ask you about you got to cut the net, we talked about this in Chicago I guess what
did that mean for you?
KYLE AHRENS: Being able to walk on two feet just being able to walk up there and cut the nets
down is something you dream of, it's all kinds of emotion it's a special moment.
Â
Q: What was your reaction to Kenny's shot?
DANE FIFE: We were trying to decoy Kenny because we run that play so much lately and he was the only one that wasn't surprised that he was that was that wide open I guess because I don't think anyone said Kenny if you're open shoot it but Cassius set a hell of a screen which allowed Kenny to have a second I remember seeing Cassius stuck on the other side and I was seeing how they were guarding Tillman, Cassius is supposed to set the screen for Kenny which he did and then he was supposed to break off and loop off under Tillman's guy and we were looking for the wow and to see who was going to go with whether they were both going to with Cassius or Tillman which would lead to an easy three for Cassius or a lob for Tillman but Kenny broke the play off so he is going to be reprimanded Kenny has such good looks from that exact play where its just an easy pin down because there are so many guys on Cassius like I said, he hasn't been open as of late. My reaction, I just looked at him and smiled.
Q: So you guys have run that play a lot recently?
DANE FIFE: Yeah the simple quick hitter action where we bounce it off of Tillman and Cassius sets a screen for Kenny at the elbow and just steps back. There is more to the play that I'm not going to reveal typically Tillman sets a screen for Cassius after Cassius sets a screen for Kenny The players called it they called it in the huddle I think it was Cassius and Tillman we coaches were looking for some kind of screen for Cassius off the ball and then a slip because we felt like everyone would go with Cassius but they backed us up made the call and made the decision I thought he did a pretty good job he had to expense so much energy over the weekend I thought he did an exceptional job on Williamson all around he's been, he just helped everyone That was just a well-played game by Kenny and Tillman, we asked them to do a lot and they did they did a pretty good job on Barrett as well I think X is overlooked because What we see is usually different than what the stats shows and what the public sees. X does a lot of things that are just he does a lot of things like Draymond (Green) in which he makes up for a lot of mistakes I think he makes up defensive mistakes, switches, helping at the rim even though it's not his help, it's hard to tell but he is probably our best screen he understands angles setting a good screen will lead to him getting easier baskets he is just the ultimate move to guy, it's getting to the point where he can play two positions both positions he knows every play. We don't play against a team like Duke in terms of defensive scheme, they make it tough to reverse and tough to get your offense going, once you get across half court your catching it out farther than you want to catch it.
I was impressed with their strength, their so young, smart naturally strong. I was impressed with their ability to rebound the ball athletically those guys are draft picks in the NBA for a reason and its not just because of their skill, they are elite athletes they just don't come around very often they've been on TV 30 times on national television so by virtue of turning on the tv we get a pretty good scouting report on them Kenny gave up a lot including scholarship to be a part of this team, it hasn't been easy for him he's been through a lot of frustration injury and there were probably times when we didn't think Kenny would make it here. It's a classic case of senior 5th year senior delivering his promise, making him come here as a walk on you make promises you're not given anything he delivered on his promise stay focus work hard and live Michigan state basketball and so that's getting closure for a guy that's given his all to the program and he's given his all I think Cassius's main struggle his first two years was playing at his pace and there was a certain element that he struggled to grasp.
Michigan State Players
Junior Guard Cassius Winston
Q: You only had one turnover, RJ and Zion had 12 combined—what made you so successful?
CASSIUS WINSTON: we were in those gaps. We didn't let them get in those driving lanes where
they were comfortable at. We forced them to kind of pass and if they didn't, we got our hands
in there and on the ball.
Q: You played all 40 minutes and only one turnover how'd you navigate that?
CASSIUS WINSTON: I shot the ball a lot and that helped. When you throw it at the rim you
don't really make turnovers. But I really didn't let them speed me up or rush me. I kept my
composure, made good looks and stuff like that.
Q: What's the difference between the way you guys finished this year this with this team
going through the injuries and everything and the last couple years?
CASSIUS WINSTON: I think this year; we've been playing our best basketball toward the end of
year and that's big. We play together and focus on our defense the most. We allow our defense
to win us games and that's the biggest part.
Senior Forward Kenny Goins
Q: That last play, were you the first option there?
KENNY GOINS: Never. I wasn't the first option, I'm pretty sure Cassius was (Cassuis
Winston), actually on the lob too maybe, but I just got to be ready to shoot when Cass
got the ball (Winston) and I was.
Q: How did it feel when it went down?
KENNY GOINS: As soon as it left my hand, I knew it was going down. I just had to wait
for it to go down at that point. I was definitely living in the moment, celebrating, but I
snapped back into reality and knew I had to get a stop.
Q: Is there something extra special about slaying the giant, I mean all college
basketball heard about and talked about has been Duke and Zion, and to beat
them like you did in this type of game?
KENNY GOINS:: They were rightfully praised, great team, great coach, and the talent
they have there is incredible. As a competitor you always want to compare yourself to the
best and they told us and everybody that they are the best, and we had a chance to
prepare and I think we did a hell of job, and they did a hell of a job. That's why it
became such a good game.
Junior Forward Nick Ward
Q: You specifically mentioned a final four, some unfinished business and a lot more, what
does it feel like now to see that dream reach what you talked about so early on?
NICK WARD: Wow, I don't even know how to feel right now. I'm just excited to get to
Minneapolis and get the job done against Texas Tech.
Q: I just asked (Duke head coach) Mike Krzyzewski if this Spartan team had the ability to win it all and he said the
way you played defense, the way you rebound—absolutely. Has this just been an extra shot
of confidence this post season since the regular season?
NICK WARD: yeah you know what, I'm very excited. Coach K has a great team, they play great,
but we just stuck to our game plan you know. Played great defense and we didn't turn over the
ball that much.
Q: have you been in many games like that where there was just so little separation between
the two teams?
NICK WARD: I've been in a lot of games. I've been in blowouts and when we're on the other
side of things, but you know what we just stuck to what coach said and that was a huge part of
our game plan.
Q: Could you feel the intensity out there in that game—was it different?
NICK WARD: Yeah, it's a lot different than it looks. There's a whole bunch what you guys don't
see out there. Zion's quicker than he looks, stronger than he looks. RJ is hard to guard. They are
great players.
Q: What were those things he said (Tom Izzo) that you had to do to win the game?
NICK WARD: Don't turn the ball over, don't foul, and make great plays
Q: What was going through your mind when Duke went on that 12-0 run?
NICK WARD: Damn, really. We had them, but you know what we didn't lose hope. We
went to the locker room, we regrouped, and we took them back
Q: How sweet is it to knock out the giant?
NICK WARD: It is. That was a big boulder in our way. They were a number 1 seed and
they probably have the modern day most athletic player we've seen in a while, but it
was huge knocking them out and getting them out the way.
Freshman Forward Aaron Henry
Q: What is this feeling like?
AARON HENRY: It was wonderful, it was second to none. Probably one of the highlights of my
life so far. I'm glad I could do it for my teammates and be a part of something special.
Q: I'm sure you've dreamed about heading to the final four—did you dream about it in your
first year?
AARON HENRY: not my first year. I didn't imagine it being this hard either—they don't tell you
about that part, but I've dreamed about it since I was a kid—every kid should. It's a goal that
attainable if you put the work in. It's just a blessing
Q: You mentioned how hard it was during your journey—what was the hardest part?
AARON HENRY: Just the competition—the runs they make. Staying true to yourself and being
confident in what you do, just knowing that they are going to make runs.
Q: What's that like, you've had to sit through a lot of tight games this year, but
when it's that tight near the end, when you what on the line, what's it like sitting
on that sideline?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: It was great to watch. I was just claiming the blood of Jesus the
whole game. That cover a multitude of things and you see prayer works. I'm just glad
God has allowed us to have the favor that He's given us and this team and like I said,
we still got more nets to cut.
Q: So you were actively praying on the sideline near the end?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: Near the end, I definitely was
Q: Before Kenny's (Goins) shot, after Kenny's shot?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: I always pray during the games, nothing new.
Q: What are you feeling for Kenny, who has been to a Final Four, for him to get
another chance and hit a shot like this on his way out?
JOSHUA LANGFORD: I mean, it's great man I'm so happy for Kenny because he has
put so much time in for this team and for Michigan State. For this to be his last year, him
and Quaido (Matt McQuaid), getting to a Final Four their last year, that's special man
and you can't trade that in for the world. For these guys playing basketball, you can't get
more special than that.
Redshirt Junior Forward Kyle Ahrens
Q: To see this team keep going after losing him after losing you, what's that been like?
KYLE AHRENS: It's awesome to see what these guys have done, they always find a way to win.
Come up big in the last couple minutes so I'm so happy for them.
Q: When it's this big what's it like from an observers standpoint?
KYLE AHRENS: It's amazing to be a part of its special.
Q: What do you feel for Kenny hitting that big shot?
KYLE AHRENS: Oh I knew that was going in. He hits that shot all the time so just for him to step up
you know, his fifth year it doesn't get much better than that.
Q: Were you watching it whole way or did you close your eyes like Nick?
KYLE AHRENS: No I didn't close my eyes I was watching it the whole way.
Q: I know you've seen a lot of great performances from Cassius and the way he was able to
take that over late, what do you have to say about that?
KYLE AHRENS: He's the best point guard in the country no doubt abut I, that's what he does, he's
done it throughout the season he gets people open and he creates other peoples shots, he's the best
player.
Q: What about the play from Xavier (Tillman), how he guarded Zion?
KYLE AHRENS: He executed the game plan really well, the coaches told him what o do and he stuck
to it, he did a really good job.
Q: What was yesterday and this morning like, did you get the sense that there was a
confidence in this team?
KYLE AHRENS: Yeah we were definitely confident. Just always having each other's backs it's what
we do, just everywhere we go we were ready for this one.
Q: Beating Duke specifically does that make this any sweeter?
KYLE AHRENS: Yeah it's just amazing to hold up the trophy at the end of the day, it doesn't matter
who we are playing. There such a great time, it's an amazing feeling.
Q: You didn't get to cut down the nets in Chicago, what went through your head when you got
to do it?
KYLE AHRENS: Just its awesome climbing the ladder doing it again, we hpe to have one more net to
cut down, so we just have to get back to work when we get back.
Q: What does it mean to you, magic Johnson just said college basketball needed a game like
this is huge. For the sport what does that?
KYLE AHRENS: It's special, just to be in this kind of stage just a part of this its special in every way.
Q: You guys have beat so many people this year when you get punched you punch back that
13-0 run in the first path did you guys have a feeling that was coming?
KYLE AHRENS: No, we just stuck to the game plan coaches did a really good job executing and
telling us what to do, we executed really well so we give all the coaching the credit for that.
Q: What happened in the time out after that?
KYLE AHRENS: We just calmed each other down can't get to much into the emotion it's the game of
basketball somebody's going to go on a run so we just have to calm each other down.
Q: What are you chances of playing Saturday?
KYLE AHRENS: Taking it day by day as of now we'll see what this week does in terms of just being a
competitor obviously it goes to show that you want to be out there but how can you quantitate that
obviously it's hard being on the bench but being on the bench with these kind of guys who are there
that are there every step of the way with you I'm so happy for them and having someone like josh
there with me talking with me he is a special guy so just taking it day by day.
Q: You said the first time you talked to us you said this team could still go to a Final Four and
we said yeah right what does that mean now?
KYLE AHRENS: I just feel like our chemistry is better than anyone knows, we have a lot of
experience we play off of each other.
Q: I want to ask you about you got to cut the net, we talked about this in Chicago I guess what
did that mean for you?
KYLE AHRENS: Being able to walk on two feet just being able to walk up there and cut the nets
down is something you dream of, it's all kinds of emotion it's a special moment.
Â
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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