NCAA Men's Championship: Final Four Friday, April 5, 2019 Minneapolis, Minnesota I think the one thing nobody wants is a lot of fouls, and Matt McQuaid we went through that phase where it was a free-throw contest instead of a basketball game. I never enjoyed that. The freedom of movement, you know, is true, but I Nick Ward think people come to see the best players play, and they want to see them -- if they think there's ever going to be any contact, I don't know what they've been THE MODERATOR: Coach Izzo has joined us. Coach, watching all their life, but there is going to be some. It's you want to give us a couple of thoughts, and then we'll been a little hard adjustment when you can beat the take some questions. hell out of somebody inside and can't put a fingernail on them outside. TOM IZZO: Well, it's been as exciting as I thought. I think the NCAA or the officials have found a happy I like the new format the NCAA used getting us in here medium in there too, and we have pretty good defense. yesterday and getting to have a real practice on the We're going to have two pretty good defensive teams floor. I think that was -- I don't know how many years here. Tony's got an incredibly good defensive team, they've done that, but it was definitely since I was back and Bruce is pressing and trapping all over. So who here last. knows? Maybe it will be change. Whatever the way they want to play it, I'm going to adjust to it, complain if The city's been great. Everything's been great. we lose, and be happy if we win. It will be no different.

I got a chance to spend a little time with Chris and still Q. Just a followup, Tom, to what you told us last congratulate him on the Coach of the Year award. week about your genesis in all this, how you That's an awesome award and well deserved. applied to Jud and he didn't hire you, and finally you just latched on. What is it about this business The hay is almost in the barn. We're ready to go, and that says I just want it and I want to stay in it? I'm sure they are too. TOM IZZO: It's like even now, like we might be the only profession where -- everybody wants a vacation, right? Q. A couple years ago, the NCAA tweaked a lot of You guys all want a vacation. Last week I said -- my rules to try to make sure we could get more free- whole thing was please let me work another day or two flowing offense that worked. This year all we're and then please let me work another week, you know. talking about is defense, and I was just wondering We are a little certifiably insane. That's why sometimes where you think things stand. the game makes fools of us all. TOM IZZO: That's a good question. We've been pretty good defensively, and we've been pretty good I did go through three interviews with Jud and finally offensively. We've rebounded the ball pretty good. begged him to keep me as a graduate assistants. That We're shooting good from the free-throw line. So was interesting, you know. Mom was mad at me everything stands good for me. because I was 26 years old and didn't have a real job yet. You know, how that has -- I've been in this league so long, for us in the Big Ten, I've been at it for a while The way things have gone, it's worked out well for me, now. There's always tweaks. for Jud, I think for Michigan State, and believe it or not, for my mom and my family too. Everybody's benefited. I don't know. I mean, that's a really good question. I I think, if you're ready to sacrifice -- it doesn't matter if just don't have a really good answer because I think it it's your job or mine. If you're ready to pay the price changes -- it even changes throughout the year. and go through the process, and not many people are willing to do that as much anymore. So I'm happy I

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-05 18:58:00 GMT page 1 of 5 was part of that generation in that respect. We're going to spend some time this summer. You know, I love the whole family. I got to know his sisters Q. Just talk about what it's like to have a legend and, of course, Debbie. He's just one of those guys like . You know, he's always there. you respect and admire, and even though we lost Flip, I He talks to the team before games and what have think Ryan carries on the mantle of who Flip was, who you. And then as a second part, how cool is it that he still is really, and the impact he had on the game of at this Final Four, you've got Magic Johnson, basketball. Auburn has , Virginia has , three legends all cheering their teams Q. Tom, if people look and listen, they can still see on. and hear some of 24 years later. TOM IZZO: Yeah, and Texas Tech has a hell of a team When you look at Tech and Chris, do you see any and a hell of a coach, so I guess we've all got of ? something. Magic is like EF Hutton. When he speaks, TOM IZZO: I definitely do. You know, when you watch I listen, they listen. That's the beauty of it. And the their motion offense, when you watch -- you know, we beauty of it is he's been there throughout, I mean, used to say that -- we used to tell our guys when we since the day I got the job. Thank God his family, his played Indiana, watch how you run out onto the floor parents still live in East Lansing. because somebody's going to be taking a charge on you, and they did back then a lot. Chris has kind of It's great to have some of your icons from the past still taken that format. care about the snot-nosed kids of the present, you know. To those guys, when Magic talked to our guys But he's a student of the game. He's humble. I really, last week and he said, 40 years ago we won the as I've gotten to know him better, really appreciate how National Championship, that was my first Final Four we he's done it so quickly, and I guess, if you look back, ever went to out of college, and I said, man, we're all you know, in four years we were in a Final Four, in getting old, you know. three years we won the Big Ten Championship. So not quite as quick as him, although he had a few stops But for him to still have interest in the program and along the way. many of the other guys have had, it's really cool. It's one of the things that I hope we don't lose with the Yeah, him and I are lucky, you know. You can like or changing of the guard, the one-and-done, the transfers love Jud Heathcote or Bob Knight. I happen to love -- all the things that happen. I'm afraid we're going to both of them, but they did a lot for the game, and they lose some of that, and, again, I guess maybe I'm lucky did a lot -- the game mattered to them, and I think they that I was here at the right time. It's awesome, though, put out some people that became pretty successful to answer your question. It's awesome. themselves, and that's a mark of a great mentor, if you ask me. Q. Ryan Saunders has said that you really kind of stepped up and filled a void after Flip's passing. Q. Wonder if you go back to the Duke game on Why was that so important to you to step up? And Sunday for just a second. Before their last play, just how much has your relationship with Ryan you were running down the sideline. You actually, I grown these last few years? think, had to be escorted back into the coach's TOM IZZO: It's grown. I was with him last night for a box. What was going on there? Was there an little bit. You know, he's so much like his dad, it's scary. issue with the spot? What had you spotted there I guess we all are, but his is scary. His mannerisms that you were so irate about? are unbelievable. I did spend some time with Flip and TOM IZZO: Yeah, as I said, I make mistakes too, you Ryan, when he was out in Washington. Why do I? know. They changed that rule now where they move Because I was fortunate my dad lived to 91 years old, the ball. It's in the corner, they move it to the middle or and Ryan wasn't fortunate. move it up the line, and like an idiot, I kind of forgot in the thrill of the moment. You know, I was hoping it was But I say this. I told him last night, what he -- I guess out in the corner, because that's where it went out, but you feel you lose out when your dad dies at 61 or 62, that was totally my fault. The guy explained it to me, and you've got so much life to live. But he must have and I said thank you, appreciate it, and just walked done a hell of a job -- I mean Flip -- because this kid back very calm and casually. has got it. At his young age, he's got it. Whether he can survive in this whacko profession we're in, time will Q. Going back to your first Final Four and now tell, but I like his chances, I like the odds. I love his you've got eight of them in comparison to the other demeanor and the way he attacks the game. guys are their first time. Do you really have that much of a significant edge considering the

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-05 18:58:00 GMT page 2 of 5 experience that you have? whoever voted did a good job voting for him. TOM IZZO: You know, I really don't think so. Like I said yesterday to some people, they don't let us play the THE MODERATOR: Right now we're going to welcome game. That's where the real experience comes in. I our student-athletes in. told my team this morning, you know, you get this big stage, and I'm trying to tell them trust me what I'm TOM IZZO: So where are we? telling you, but as I said, my biggest advantage was tickets and hotels. Just getting my own family and their THE MODERATOR: Go ahead and ask a question. families -- I mean, we did have a serious meeting Monday, and I said, by Monday night, they'd better be Q. Hey, Coach, can you talk a little bit about done. experience more in terms of players and why you've consistently wanted to build four-year For the most part, we did a pretty good job. So if that's players at your university versus like going Coach my advantage, wow, I don't think it made us a basket. I Cal, Coach K, Roy Williams' route and getting one- don't think it made us a . Definitely don't and-dones? think we took a charge because of it, so we'll see if we TOM IZZO: Let's make sure we understand, we want to can get something out of it. get the best players we can get too. Everybody looks at it differently. I think you want to get the best players Experience helps, but at this stage, the experiences and make sure they have a good enough time that they that all those other coaches figured out how to win four want to stay as long as they can. I think there's a lot of games in a row under some incredible pressure, so pressure on these guys right now and the way it is that they've done it before, and they've already shown their I've had a couple of great four-year players that have colors. So I don't think it's as big as I wish it was. I done very well in the NBA, and I've had some two-year, wish it was really big. I'd feel better when I sleep at and I've got a couple of one-year guys, and they'll all night. do well too.

Q. Tom, you have a lot of guys, obviously, back I don't want to hold them back. I don't want them from last year, and your experience is a big part of staying for no reason. I just want to make sure that, it. How impressed are you that Texas Tech, with when they go, they're ready to go and contribute and four new starters, they lost four of their top five be a part of things. I think we put a lot of pressure on scorers, has gotten to this point? these guys now. One thing about college, you get to TOM IZZO: Incredibly impressed. I think we're hitting a make a few mistakes and still survive. Once you get to new era now. And, again, I have my opinion. the NBA, you're scrutinized at a different level. Everybody's got to do what they've got to do. We are hired to be fired, so winning is important, and winning So I have great admiration for what John has done at quickly is important. Kentucky, what Mike has done -- and Mike has done it both ways, so has John, actually. We're not turning I hope I -- you know, Chris did a great job of getting down good players either. We've got some good some grad transfers in there and some other people players. If the No. 1 player in the country wants to and getting them to buy into his system. That's hard to come, we'll make room for him. do. It's very hard to do. THE MODERATOR: And speaking of, we're joined by On the other side, all those players have some Cassius Winston, Nick Ward, and Matt McQuaid. We'll experience. They've played major college level, take some questions for the student-athletes as well as whether it be at some other school, but at least they Coach Izzo. played at this level. Q. Tom, I know it's difficult when you still have two I don't know how that works. I've had two transfers, I games to go, you haven't won a championship, but think, that played any significant minutes in my career. when you hear Cassius compared to guys like Magic and Mateen, guys who have done that, is it I'm happy for him. I hope the day and age doesn't unique that you have a guy on a team that is so come where we're living on transfers and this and that. much a team and so connected, yet he still is in the That part scares me, worries me for our profession, but same breath as those guys if you guys are able to I also have great admiration for a guy who can take a get to the same point those guys got? group of guys that have experience, though -- TOM IZZO: You know, I think the greatest thing about it remember, the key word is they have experience -- but is he's earned his way. He's gone through the process. mold them together like he has in this period of time. I He's gone through a tough year. He's made some think he deserves to be Coach of the Year, and it was

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-05 18:58:00 GMT page 3 of 5 commitments to himself and the program. You know, because every year of my life, and there's some good you watch the growth. I mean, Mateen had a very -- we've had transfers. There's good reasons average freshman year. Earvin didn't have an average sometimes. I hope it doesn't get to the point where the freshman year, but I remember his first game, they say going gets tough, let's get the hell out of dodge, you he had eight turnovers and did this and that. There's a know. I worry about that. I think that's what we are, a process for everybody. little bit -- our society is that way. It's constantly moving. For some people, they think it's fine, whatever But I think whenever you're compared to people in a the rules are, I'm going to play by. leadership role that have done it at the ultimate level, and that's winning a championship, I think that alone is I just think going through -- as I look at all three of the greatest attribute. You know, they're all different. these guys, they've all gone through. They didn't like One's real strong, one's real tall, and they're all real me, did like me, in between, you know, and as I tell smart. So they're different kind of players, but the them, I felt the same way about them sometimes, but bottom line to all three of them and what's made us so that's part of growth, you know. That's part of the successful this year, winning is important, and nobody enjoyment of when you do get successful and it does cares who gets the credit. all come together, man, you got something really special, and that's kind of the way I look at it. For superstars to handle themselves that way, I'm blessed that I get to coach them. I'm blessed that I got Q. Hey, guys, I feel like, when people look at these to coach Mateen, and I'm blessed that I have Magic two teams, they see Texas Tech, and they think, oh, giving my pregame talk. So I got it all the way around it's the first time to the Final Four and everything's the board. It's a hell of a deal. new, and for Michigan State's it's the tenth, but this is you guys' first experience. As much as the THE MODERATOR: If this isn't for Cassius or Nick or coaches try to explain this, can you just tell us how Matt, the next question will be for the student-athletes. it's all kind of new for you and how you have to experience it for yourselves. Q. It isn't. I apologize, but I'm following up. If you MATT MCQUAID: Yeah, it's definitely a process. It's can just kind of put a button on this thing about the been a process to get here. It's been a tough road. future or the way things are now with transfers or We're just taking it all in right now and just enjoying it, one-and-dones, how has that changed the but at the same time, our main focus is on Texas Tech, recruiting efforts, especially recruiting guys out of and we're just focusing on the little things and just high school? doing what we do. TOM IZZO: It hasn't changed much for me. I'm looking for guys that want to be there. I'm looking for guys that NICK WARD: You know, kind of what Matt said. You -- you know, I think it is a place in college where you're know, resilience got us here. We went through kind of like the military. You want volunteers, you know. adversity all season, whether this goes from injuries to You want guys that want to be there and accomplish just we went through a stretch where we wasn't playing some things both on the court and in the classroom well. It's been tough at times, but I feel like resiliency and socially, you know. The growth of a lot of different got us here. We've just got to work hard and look guys has been phenomenal. forward to Texas Tech tomorrow.

It's not easy, man. We forget so much, me included. CASSIUS WINSTON: Yeah, it's crazy because the Could I have handled myself? My buddy Mariucci is freshmen sometimes ask me, what do we do now or flying in today, and I think of us two back in college and what it's like. I'm like this is my first time too, you know. the social media would have been there, if we were We're doing this together. So we've just been -- like I good enough to be -- have a group like this, how would said, we've been enjoying it, taking it all in, and just they have painted us? Every once in a while, I think embracing the opportunity. That's how we look at it. about that, and I go, eww, wouldn't be a good idea, you know? Q. This is for Cassius. What are some of the characteristics, leadership characteristics that you So I understand where they're from, and that's why have that's in common with McClees -- Mateen sometimes we're so demanding of them because one Cleaves that you have now, that you can compare mistake for them gets scrutinized so much more than together? one mistake for us. CASSIUS WINSTON: I'm sorry. Can you ask it again?

In this era of one-and-done and transfer -- the one-and- Q. What are the leadership characteristics that you done, I'm fine with. The transfer thing, I'm saddened by possess in common with McCeen -- I'm saying it

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-05 18:58:00 GMT page 4 of 5 wrong. . CASSIUS WINSTON: I would say we're both winners. I would say we both do a good job of bringing our team along, encouraging our team. He had a really good team, but he made those guys play hard, he made those guys match his energy and things like that. I think I do a good job of being confident and letting that rub off on my team a little bit in a lot of ways too. So just having that kind of impact on our teams, I would say.

Q. Tom, Cassius said a couple of days ago that you've kind of accomplished all that you need to accomplish in and there's nothing left for you to prove. Tillman said something similar the next day. Do you agree with that? And if not, what's left for you to prove? TOM IZZO: Hell no, I don't agree with that. Again, Cassius is wrong. No, I think I talk to them all the time, and part of it's my fault because I say, you know, I've been there, and nobody can take that away from me, but my dream is for you guys to get there. So if they get there, they're taking me along for the ride. So that's why I still have bigger fish to fry and bigger things to go after.

I think we've talked about it a lot. It's really ironic, isn't it, guys? We scrimmaged Gonzaga here. We met halfway in one of those preseason scrimmages, and I guess maybe somebody said, wouldn't it be nice to come back here? And we almost got to meet here together again. It's a long journey, and I will never, as long as I'm coaching, ever not think of getting to a Final Four and winning a National Championship. Once you do it once, it's so good you want to come back.

But satisfied? I think they'd tell you I'm never satisfied, but I don't think they are either. I think they've done a good job. They've taken me farther this year than I've taken them. We've had reasons that, if they weren't good in the locker room -- you asked a good question about Mateen and Cassius. They're different kind of people in different ways, but they both have the ability that their teammates respected them and followed them, and they both are winners. That's kind of the common denominator to be successful.

THE MODERATOR: We'd like to thank Coach Izzo, Cassius Winston, Nick Ward, and Matt McQuaid for joining us in the interview room.

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-05 18:58:00 GMT page 5 of 5 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Final Four Thursday, April 4, 2019 Minneapolis, Minnesota Tom Izzo Michigan State Spartans Yeah, I'm excited he's going to be here this week. He was actually at one of our games in Washington last THE MODERATOR: I'm joined by the of week. I'm sure he is -- I know he's a big Michigan Michigan State, Coach Tom Izzo. State fan, and I know he's a big supporter of basketball, and I appreciate that. TOM IZZO: Wow, what a beautiful facility. I think we're as excited as anybody to be here. Facility is great. Q. Jarrett Culver, what have you seen from him? Minneapolis is great. I like a little bit of cold weather, Does he remind you of anybody? Does he and yet I heard it's supposed to be real nice over the compare to any college or NBA guys you've seen? weekend. TOM IZZO: You know, I've been really impressed with him. I love guys -- I had a kid named a We feel fortunate to be here, and yet we think we've couple of years ago who I thought was one of the best earned our way to be here. two-way players I've ever had. He could do it on the offensive end. He could do it on the defensive end. He Texas Tech is a -- we kind of clone each other in some could impact the game in both. ways, and yet I think Chris has done a great job with his team. We're both disciples with Bob Knight and I think Culver does that. I don't know if he's Scottie Jud Heathcote. Those two guys were best friends. Pippen-ish like. I know there's guys of that era I Chris and I are getting to know each other. But great watched even more. I think he's got versatility, and respect for what he's done and how he's done it and, of he's a scorer that plays defense. Sometimes those are course, for a couple of his players that are of the elite harder to come by, and I think that's what makes him nature. so special.

Yet I'm really proud of what my team has Q. Tom, 20 years ago in 1999 you took your first accomplished, meaning the way we've reinvented team to the Final Four. I'm curious, if you can look ourselves a few times and kind of stuck to the task and back, what stands out about that team and that found a way to get to a Final Four. No better thrill than season, and in what ways have they helped set the this. stage for what you guys have accomplished since then? Q. Coach, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is TOM IZZO: Well, they set the stage because everyone going to be here this weekend cheering you guys thinks we're the toughest team. Back then we could on. Wondering what your relationship was with put shoulder pads and helmets on and nobody Kirk when he was at Michigan State. What's your complained. We don't get to do that anymore. relationship with him now? Has he ever addressed the team? How big of a Spartan fan is he? But that was maybe one of the tougher teams I've ever TOM IZZO: Oh, he's a big Spartan fan, you know. I had. This team isn't as physically tough, but they might actually did talk to him two days ago. Hopefully, he's be as mentally tough as any team I've ever had. So going to come by tomorrow and talk to the team a little the word "toughness" is still there. With those guys, it bit. I had the privilege of going and playing Augusta was physical. With these guys it's a little more mental. with Kirk a couple years ago. The memories are still as good. I loved that team and There's a great relationship of Michigan State football appreciated that team. I had guys that would go and basketball. To the day I die, I think his speech at through a wall for us, and these guys have done the the opening of college football for the Big Ten at the Big same thing. I guess, to be in a championship -- you Ten Media Day is one of the great all-time speeches know, we won the Big Ten, won the Big Ten I've heard. I've got it on tape. Tournament -- to be anywhere in that kind of mode or be a Final Four team, you usually have to have those So I know Kirk pretty well, and yet I believe in him even kinds of qualities of togetherness and toughness, both more than I know of him. He's an unbelievable guy. mental and physical.

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-04 20:32:00 GMT page 1 of 4 closer together, or you succumb to them and dissolve. As I use with this team a lot, this team is very connected. It's like, when they move, they all move For some reason, this team -- and I think a lot of it is together, and that's why we've been pretty good Cassius, that he just was able to play with a lot of defensively ourselves. different people around him, and he truly made each one better, and that's what elite players do. They make Q. This would not be your main motivation this other players better. week, but you're a Big Ten guy. How good would it be to be the guy to end the Big Ten drought? So I think a combination of the culture, the character of TOM IZZO: It would be good, you know. I am a Big the guys I got, and the quarterback that I got, and you Ten guy. I love Tony Bennett, but of course I was put those three things together, you know, I think they pulling for Purdue. Tony I've known for a long, long do believe in each other, they trust each other, they time, and his dad. want to win for each other. It's not I want to win to get to the NBA. It's not I want to win for this or that or I do have great feelings for the Big Ten. Ironically, as I personal reasons. I don't need to score as many said, Bob Knight has kind of helped mold Chris and points. They are honestly happy no matter who's the Jud with me, and those two guys were good friends. star. You can't say that about all teams. So there's a little flavor in a lot of ways, but I've been in the Big Ten for 35 years as an assistant, grad assistant, Q. Remember those scores at Augusta, what you and coach, and I think our conference this year was as shot and what Kirk shot? good as any in the country and sometimes didn't get TOM IZZO: Yeah, whenever I get over triple digits, I just maybe as much credit as I think they deserved top to kind of throw the card away. I don't remember, but it bottom. was a fun time. My AD, Mark Hollis, took us, and Kirk Herbstreit went. We had a little football-basketball, and But if we could carry the mantle for our league and end we had a good time. Kirk Cousins is a pretty good that drought, I'd be double excited, one for Michigan golfer too. Me, I'm just a ham and egg guy, kind of slap State and one for the Big Ten. it around a little bit and hopefully stay out of trouble. You know, when you don't hit it that far, you're never in Q. Coach, first of all, congratulations. the woods, so I was never in trouble anyway. TOM IZZO: Thank you. Q. When you come here, how much does it make Q. Secondly, the most common word used in the you think of Flip Saunders? We were talking to locker room just a few moments ago was brothers, Ryan Saunders the other day, talked about having and you touched on it a little bit a few seconds ago. those middle of the night phone conversations with But as the coach, how does that manifest for you you. How much did it mean to you the first time so that you take that brotherhood they have, you got one from Ryan? because they've battled through injuries and TOM IZZO: Wow, you know, I talked to Ryan the night everything else, as you said, reinvented we won it because, let's face it, I got to know Flip. He themselves a few times, how do you take that and asked me to be an assistant with him on the Goodwill nurture that and create the kind of team that you Games. I'd known him a little bit at Tulsa. I tried to get have now with that intensity of brotherhood? him hired there. Did get him hired. I left the next day. TOM IZZO: I think it's the culture we've created there, He forgave me for that. So that was a nice thing. you know, and when Magic and Mateen fly in for a game in Washington and talk to your team before and, When Flip was at Detroit and Washington a couple you know, and Gary Harris -- there's been times, I guess he lost his job, and he used to come so many guys that have been involved over the years. hang out at our place. I just love Flip Saunders. He When you work in a program, there was 19 years of was such a fun guy to be around. I do miss him. I do Jud and now 24 years of myself and 7 years with Gus miss the late night calls. You know, he's the guy that Ganakas, and we all worked together at one time. Gus watched that -- ordered everything off the QVC or worked for me, I worked for Jud. So it's like 50- VCQ, or whatever the hell it is. But he stayed up all something years. night. That's how he bought his watches and his coats, I think. I'd ask him where he got it, and he'd tell me, So we've created a culture, I think, that those former and I'd tell him he's crazy. guys help the current guys know what a family is really about, what a brotherhood is really about. Then He would call in the late night, and coaches stay up injuries and things that happen throughout a season, late, and I miss those phone calls. The other night either make you or break you. They either bring you Ryan called late, and he said my dad would be excited.

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-04 20:32:00 GMT page 2 of 4 Ryan's going to be in town. They play a couple games. And Clem, for some reason, they were all good friends I'm going to try to get over and see him, and hopefully I with Jud, and they all kind of took me under their wing. can see Debbie while I'm here and the girls. But I miss And what I learned, they were all tough guys, but I Flip. He was great for basketball, pro and college, and swear to you none tougher than . His I hope he's enjoying a beer up there with Jud and my teams, those were fist fights. Not that Keady's weren't, father and Gus and all the other guys that are looking but back then I just learned about how hard a team down upon us. played.

Q. When you have a player like Joshua who gets When I got the job, he called me. He stayed in touch. injured, how do you make sure he still feels like he Still once in a while I talk to him. That was a vintage is part of the team, and how he can still contribute era that I have tremendous respect for those guys. despite the fact that he can't play? They were great coaches. They were great guys. I TOM IZZO: I coined a phrase for Joshua. I did two miss all three of them in a way in the league. I really things. I said some guys like the game, some guys do. love the game, and some guys live the game. Joshua is a guy that lives the game. And so I did have to keep Q. Tom, when the year began, I mean, you knew him involved, so I put him in charge of getting our guys you had a really solid situation at . Did ready on out of bounds plays. We screwed up a game you ever imagine Cassius, Big Ten Player of the early, and I said, Josh, it's time for you to take over. So Year, First Team All-American? Is that something if you watch him on the bench, whenever there's an out you had in your plans when you began recruiting of bounds play, he's getting the guys ready. He does him and then when he joined your program? some of that. TOM IZZO: Well, I had those in my plans when I recruited him, but, no, I can't sit there and say at the He's become a quiet kid that became a great leader beginning of the year I thought he would have the year last summer, and he still leads. That kid has not that he's had. He really improved defensively early in missed one second of one practice the entire time he's the year, but the way he scores the ball and the way he injured. Even when he rehabs, he either does it right -- he's efficient, you know. It's been a little harder too. there in front of him or he comes in. He's a special His percentages have gone down a little bit, but they person, both as a student, spiritually and athletically. should, you know. People can load up on him a little We miss him, but we have kept him involved. differently. He had to make adjustments to that.

A lot of times, I'll text him at night and say, you know, You take a guy like Josh away -- he was our leading guys are going to get a little big headed now. Make three-point shooter. Then you take Nick away when sure you do this. Or guys are going to do this, make every time Cash threw it in there, he was getting an sure you do that. He's already on top of it, you know. on a 65 percent basis. You took those two If you talk to Josh at all, he's going to be one of those things away, and he still led the Big Ten in assists is guys that, when he leaves, I'm going to be sorry that he just remarkable. left. But his demeanor is more like this, and mine's more Q. You're playing in Minnesota, and Clem Haskins like this. I say that we're a good Frick and Frack group, coached here. In fact, he coached the last team you know. We kind of balance each other out. And we that won the Big Ten before the tournament came wouldn't be here without Cassius Winston. There's no in. Can you just talk about his legacy in the Big question about it. I'd like to take credit that I knew that Ten while he was here. was going to happen. When I did recruit him as a TOM IZZO: I saw Clem. He was at our place because freshman and sophomore in high school, I said I his son kind of works with the Pistons, and we had an thought he could be the best passer, the best exhibition game, and I walked out, and there was Clem. basketball IQ guy since Magic Johnson. I really did Clem and Jud and Gene, you know, I think Clem had believe that, told my staff that, but I didn't think he two ostriches on his farm, and he named one Jud and could shoot it and do those things like he did. one Gene. I'm surprised he didn't have two jackasses and named one Jud and one Gene. So he's impressed me in a lot of ways, but I know he's going to get challenged on Saturday night. Once in a He too kind of taught me a lot. You know, I learned -- while, when I go to bed, I think, well, yeah, they're those three guys, my first Big Ten meeting, it was going to do this and this and this to him, and I said, I've unbelievable because those three guys kind of, they said that a lot of times about a lot of teams, and they ruled the roost for the coaches. I was the new guy and did, and yet he still found a way, you know. So he's sitting in the back of the room, almost like this, hiding. going to have to find a way again to make five or six

Rev #1 by #206 at 2019-04-04 20:32:00 GMT page 3 of 4 other guys better and still find a way to score some and Love Tim, but I think Fred will be a great addition and do some things himself if we plan on moving on. bring a lot to the table. I don't know. It's going to be a little harder on Jack than it is on me, but I think Fred Q. Tom, I feel like I need to ask you about your will do well. Yet I think Jack will do well too. relationship with both and Ron Gardenhire, but I'm going to hold off on that and THE MODERATOR: We want to thank Coach Izzo for ask you about and kind of his ascent joining us here in the main interview room. Thanks as a defender, first and foremost. At what point in Coach. the season did you feel like everything started to click on that point where you could put him on opposing best players? TOM IZZO: You know, Aaron is a very good athlete. He comes from a program that is one of the best in Indiana. They won the state. He has a high basketball IQ. And once -- I think, you know, his motor had to keep going, and once he got his motor going and maybe got his chance a little more under fire once Josh went down and then Aaron got hurt too, I think he realized that he had to speed things up at a different level.

He too has a very high basketball IQ, so he understands it. I think a couple times we put him on a guy like Brazdeikis, who's a really good player. He had some success and started getting confidence. I'm amazed that usually a freshman struggles defensively, and he has actually excelled defensively, but he too is going to have his work cut out the next couple of days, that's for sure.

Q. Tom, you've had coaches' sons on your team before, Jack Hoiberg one of them. Did you ever think you'd be coaching against his father? TOM IZZO: No, especially when he was sitting in my office a couple weeks ago, and we were talking Xs and Os. I'm going to take back everything I told him, but I love Fred. Not as much as I love Jack. Jack is just a -- he's a walk-on that he is getting better and better. I love the competitiveness and who he is and his intelligence.

But Fred's a great guy too. I think Fred, sitting down, one of those guys, kind of like Flip was, where he gets on the chalk board -- grease board, I should say -- I'm dating myself -- and he's just got options after options. I think he'll be a hell of a coach at Nebraska, I really do. His family history is great. His grandfather was a coach there, and his parents went to school there. He was born there. I mean, hell, you write stories about stuff like that.

He did such a great job at Iowa State and under a tough situation at Chicago, hung in there. But he's been a GM or assistant GM, I think up here at Minnesota, right? So he's kind of had all sides of basketball, and I think he's going to be a great addition. I was a big fan too. I don't mind saying that.

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