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2005 BIG TEN
MEN'S BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT
Game One • March 10, 2005 • United Center • Chicago, Ill.
#8 Northwestern 58, #9 Michigan 56
MICHIGAN COACH/PLAYER QUOTES
Head Coach Tommy Amaker:
Opening Statement:
"It was possession-by-possession game. Both teams competed very hard in the opening game and an early start. I am proud of the effort that our kids displayed. We were down by double digits and we really fought back and clawed our way into it. The turnover margin was one of the biggest things that worked against us, along with their ability to cash in when we did turn the ball over. I thought these three kids (Graham Brown, Courtney Sims, Dion Harris) played their hearts out. Courtney Sims may have played one of his better games since he has put on a Michigan uniform. We needed every bit of it."
On whether he was encouraged by the heart and intensity of his team in these last two games:
"We are obviously disappointed that we were unable to pull the games out. On that side of it, it is still a loss on our record and a loss for the team. But, as you mentioned, you have to look at the whole and search for things you can build on. I was really pleased with that (the team's heart and intensity), and we really talked about that as a team. It has been a tough year for all of us, but I think that these kids have shown the kind of heart and character they have by the way they kept fighting."
On Courtney Sims' play and the causes of the team's post problems:
"Cohesiveness as a team is one of the things we have really struggled with. We have struggled with pressure, making shots from the perimeter, and making plays. It loosens things up when your guards can make some plays. That is one of the things that have really hurt our post players. We have not had the necessary pieces to help our post players. On Courtney's play, I was most impressed with his ability to make free throws."
Graham Brown:
On coming out strong:
"We've got to come out strong and raise the intensity to get that first win. The last time we played them they jumped on us. We tried to jump on them right from the start. We had a lead going into halftime, but they pulled away later in the second half."
Dion Harris:
On coming out strong:
"They jumped on us early the last time, so we made it a point to jump on them. I think the guys on the bench really helped us with energy and passion."
Courtney Sims:
On how much last games performance was a motivator:
"I didn't want this to be our last game. Just wanting to win was a motivating factor. The Big Ten Championship is a motivator."
2005 BIG TEN
MEN'S BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT
Game One • March 10, 2005 • United Center • Chicago, Ill.
#8 Northwestern 58, #9 Michigan 56
NORTHWESTERN COACH/PLAYER QUOTES
Head Coach Bill Carmody:
Opening Statement:
"I think that we were fortunate to hang in there in the first half, having 10 or 11 turnovers."
"We should have been down by 15 points with that many turnovers."
"Our second half press really upset them. We were able to get our hands on some balls."
On why Mohammed Hached started in place of T.J. Parker:
"I think that our team feels like 11 o' clock is like the crack of dawn"
"We had to get some energy right off the bat, and he (Hached) actually played well in the first half, he was taking the ball to the rim."
On how he felt his team shot at the foul line today:
"We are the worst team in the league in foul shooting. I don't even pay attention to that."
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Mohamed Hached:On the his ability to drive on Michigan:
"I kind of picked that out early in the game. I think we took full advantage of it. I saw the lane open up well tonight. Now, we just need to get ready for tomorrow."
On the backcourt play of Northwestern:
"In the first half we didn't play so well, as coach said. I don't know, maybe it was too early. The second half we picked it up and the guards really helped us win this game."
On Michael Jenkins critical putback:"He is a tough player. We love his energy. He brings that to practice every day. The Michigan players are big, long and tall players and I was amazed he got the shot off and was not fouled. He is a great player."
Vedran Vukusic:
On playing Illinois tomorrow:"We played them better at our place. They killed us down there (at Illinois). I'm looking forward to this game. We get to play the number one team in the nation, and we get to try to knock them off."
On his performance today:"I was just trying to help us win like I do each day. I picked up a couple of quick fouls and coach had to take me out for a while. I was just trying to rest up for tomorrow."
