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Home , Cassius Winston, Jay Wright (basketball), Tom Izzo, Xavier Tillman

NCAA Men's Regional Semifinals and Finals: Washington D.C. Sunday, March 31, 2019 Washington D.C.

CASSIUS WINSTON: It was shocking. I knew I was going to get fouled. I was preparing my mind to knock down some free throws and stuff. But I got the ball and Matt McQuaid got away. And I was, like, I'm like about to dribble it out, and this is really happening. It was crazy. It was a Kenny Goins crazy moment. Q. Kenny, on that 3-pointer you hit late, Duke had done a great job tightening the window on you all day. When that one came open, how did you get open so clearly? And tell me about how it got drawn up and as you saw it go through the rim. Take me through the whole process. Michigan State - 68, Duke - 67 KENNY GOINS: Coach did a great job. We ran it earlier didn't work. Went back to it. Coach was like, it's THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Michigan State going to be open. This guy next to me has been Tom Izzo and student-athletes Cassius making my job easy all year, finding me when I was Winston, Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid and Xavier open. Tillman. Coach, an opening statement? As soon as it left my hand I knew it was good. I was COACH IZZO: I can't tell you how proud I am of these kind of planning my celebration already, but I knew I guys for what they've gone through and how they've had to get back on defense. handled it. And even the prep yesterday, this morning. Q. Kenny or Xavier, what was the game plan to stop It doesn't hurt when the Magic man came in and gave the entry passes to Zion on the ? them a little pointers, and I just stayed on the side. XAVIER TILLMAN: To try not to let them get it. You could say -- But I also want to say that had to be a crushing loss for Duke. They had such an incredible year with the Q. Was there, like -- injuries, at the end it's tough. But I told my team, the COACH IZZO: That sounds complicated. way that and his players handled it was so classy, I was almost -- not embarrassed, but I Q. Just what was the strategy for defending Zion said I had to really look at how I make sure my team down in the paint? handles losses. I think we do a decent job, but that XAVIER TILLMAN: Just not to let him do his tendency. was off-the-charts classy. He's a heavy right-shoulder guy. So just try to limit him from going right shoulder as much as we could, to So big win for us. I can't tell you how many times in make his touches tough, and not to give up any lobs those huddles they didn't quit. They didn't give in. And either. I say we might not be as physically as tough as some teams I've had, but I think mentally we might be Q. Matt, your first take, you looked like you could tougher than any team I've had. And that's a big credit have banged it. Second one, you definitely did. to the guys next to me and the guys in the locker room. Third one got the crazy circus shot. Just tell me what those three plays were like for you? THE MODERATOR: Questions for the student-athletes. MATT MCQUAID: It was the gods, I guess. I don't know what got into me. Yeah, I just, the first time Q. Cassius, could you just describe what the I went up it was kind of soft. Second time I was like, I emotion was like for you as you were dribbling have to go up strong. I decided to cock it back and away from Barrett and Zion and you kind of know dunk it and executed it. you were going to end the game that way?

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-04-01 00:33:00 GMT page 1 of 6 And the second one, I just drove baseline and then I just adjusted my body to avoid getting my shot block Q. Kenny and Matt, you've been through a lot of and threw it up. And basketball gods did me good. these battles. How do you draw on your experience against a team that's young, very Q. Cassius, before the game, talking with Coach K, talented obviously but young, in a crucial situation he said that you were not only the best guard in the like that? Big Ten but the best guard in America. I'm curious KENNY GOINS: I think it goes to the testament to our about that. And then tonight after the game, he entire team, our maturity and our experience because talked about with this team, the way they're we've been through battles like this before and we've playing, with you leading them, certainly with a lost a couple like this too. Just learning through great chance in Minneapolis. For you, it's been a experiences like that. And even past years to take it road that you've been given nothing; you've earned into this game and make the winning plays like Cassius everything. What does it mean to not only get the said at the end. praise from your fans and Coach Izzo but from a fellow hall of famer in Mike Krzyzewski? MATT MCQUAID: They're a great team, great players CASSIUS WINSTON: It's just an honor. Like you said, and they're well-coached. That was a tough team to nothing was given; everything was earned. Just play. Like Kenny said, we do have a lot of experience working hard, constantly getting better and better. This and we've been through a lot of adversity also. I feel guy right here trusting me. These guys right here it's helped us on and off the court. We're a close group trusting me to do what I do for the team. and well-connected. Knowing we'll have each other's backs out there helps. I think I took 20-some shots today; they didn't say a word. They encouraged me just to keep going, keep Q. Coach as a tough coach you stay on your guys, doing what I do best for this team. It's just an amazing but you clap them up a lot too. Talk about mixing environment for me. criticism with support and could the players follow that up too? Q. Cassius, I was wondering what Magic's COACH IZZO: That's what we do. They say we're a message was, or at least what your takeaways family. And you're family, you've got to push people were from Magic's message prior to the game? and you've got to compliment people. It's kind of sad CASSIUS WINSTON: He was big. He just talked about that certain things happen and nobody sees 95% of the things we had to do, get out in transition, boxing out what goes on. And in that 95% of what goes on, early, all type of things that help us win these games. there's a lot more pulling and hugging than pushing. He talked about their run and some similarities they And I really believe that. And I have for years. had in the same situation. And these guys have been awesome. I guess they We were a faster team. We maybe were a smarter take what I give them, but I take what they give me, too. team tonight. We executed our game plan in the best Once in a while I said you guys have meetings and say way. Like I said, they were a good team too. It was a "those damn coaches." Well, we have meetings every battle the whole night. And at the end we made some day and say "those damn players." It's a mutual love winning plays. That's what it's all about at this point of affair here. the year. But I'm so proud of them. And I'm so proud that they Q. Kenny, you struggled from distance in DC this persevered. I heard -- I went down, weekend. So coming out of that timeout, you know one of my former assistants was at Houston when they the ball's going to be in your hands, and the way it won two, and he talked about having the heart of a lion. played out Zion, who can jump out of the gym, was And the heart of a lion is what they have. bearing down on you. Where are you at mentally before that shot? And can you just describe the I'm telling you, the mental toughness, even when we elation? were down 30-21, there was no panic in the huddle. KENNY GOINS: Yeah, just all weekend, all last We just said, we didn't do some things right. We quit weekend, just all season, really, my teammates, my rebounding and getting the ball inside. We turned it coaches have been doing a great job of keeping me around. confident, telling me to keep shooting, next one is going down, stuff like that. When Cassius has got the And Cash has a lot to do with it. He stirs the drink in a ball, you always have to be ready to shoot. I was lot of different ways. But tonight he had a couple sitting there ready. I was kind of measuring up how steals. If he starts playing defense I'm going to start to high Zion could jump since he got the last one. get scared. He did a great job in a lot of ways.

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-04-01 00:33:00 GMT page 2 of 6 haven't made it to the Final Four. You were in You asked the question about Kenny and Xavier and jeopardy of being the third. What are the emotion Nick, they did a good job battling Zion down there. I and what does it mean to cap your senior season mean, that kid is worth everything they say about him with a trip to the Final Four? and then more. MATT MCQUAID: All my focus was on doing the best job I could to help this team win. I wasn't thinking of CASSIUS WINSTON: You know, like Coach said, that. I love this team. This is a special team. We've people just, sometimes they only see the yelling, they got a special group. We've got a great coach. see the screaming, you know what I'm saying? They don't see how much he cares for us, how much he's And making a lot of memories this year. And hopefully there for us, how much he's pulling for us, rooting for we can make some more. We've got a great us, on the same guy, giving that emotion when it's time opportunity. to win games. It's all out of emotion and out of love and all out of care. And that's all it is. That's our Q. Cassius, you had four steals tonight. You guys relationship. turned them over 17 times. What was the approach defensively this evening? What keyed it, and you When you care for somebody so much and they mess guys were able to score out of those turnovers -- up, of course you're going to get mad at them and yell 24 points off turnovers? at them. But we do a good job of responding, you CASSIUS WINSTON: Wow. It was big, just me being know what I'm saying? He got after Kenny a lot this in those gaps, taking away driving angles. That's a big game; tell him, when are you going to hit a shot? team; they do a good job getting to the basket, When you are you going to hit a shot? especially -- they've got their tendencies; they go strong left or strong right. Kenny said I'm going to hit the next one, I'm going to hit a next one. And that's what he did. I was roaming a little bit. didn't really take any 3-pointers or anything like that. So it was a little bit It's all love and caring and he pushes us to be the best easier to roam in there and stay in those gaps, be on we can be. the help side off the lob and things. I was just in the right moments, quick hands, making plays that way. Q. When somebody like Magic comes to talk to you, I'm sure the obvious thing that you take from Q. Xavier, it looked like on video on that pass to that is the legacy of somebody like that and what Cassius at the last play of the game that you gave he's accomplished at Michigan State coming to him a wink and a nod. Could you take us through help you guys. Have you thought about the legacy that? that you're creating at this point and what it would XAVIER TILLMAN: I kind of told him I saw the way Tre mean to your guys' legacy to finish this job off in was guarding him and I was, like, I'm just going to Minneapolis? throw it up court because nobody's expecting us to go CASSIUS WINSTON: Yeah, it's not just Magic. There's up court. So, I was like, okay, you go that way. I told a lot of guys that came back. Mateen was here, Kenny, you go that way, Cash go that way. And then I Charlie Bell was here. Like I said, that Spartan legacy smacked the ball. I tried to fake it and Cash got open. and family, it goes back years and years and years. And they're still pushing for us, still supporting us. I thought he was going to get fouled. When he didn't get fouled I was ecstatic. And we hope to do the same thing, you know what I'm saying? We hope to leave our mark. And one day THE MODERATOR: Thank you. we're going to come back and tell the young guys, this is what it takes to get to this point now that we've got THE MODERATOR: Questions for Coach. there. But we can come back and give these guys and give them advice and all types of things like that. Q. is a cutthroat world and Mike Krzyzewski sitting in your seat said although he's It's a big deal seeing just those guys and seeing what disappointed for his team he's happy for you. And the program means to them and have that same feeling a lot of times in the game of college basketball the that years and years from now, we'll come back and camaraderie of the friendships, because it's such a maybe do that same thing. small group at you and his level, doesn't get discussed, can you talk about that? Q. Matt, I think there are just two players that have COACH IZZO: First of all, I'm not at his level yet. played under Tom Izzo, stayed all four years who When you look at the championships he's won, the

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-04-01 00:33:00 GMT page 3 of 6 number of games he's won. But I am in his arena sort is something about being in those meetings. And I of. And I'm telling you, I was moved by how -- I think I think the greatest meeting I had in 10 years was when would have been crushed, I think I would have given Nick went down, and I called everybody in at 7:30 the him credit, I think I would have gave him a hug and next morning. And I just said, we've got to meet and wished him luck. But the way he was and the way his go over the situation and we're not going to change our players were, it made me feel good about my goals. profession again because I've had some question marks in the last couple of years. I mean, they really bought in. I told our own media that it was a meeting that I don't know if I was trying to But, listen, nobody does it better. And the reason they pump them up or myself up because I was down about don't do it better is because if you look at it athletically, it. But it was one that they adhered to. And they academically, socially, if you look at consistency, it's wanted to be coached. They wanted to be pushed. just year after year. And yet I say it's what keeps me And they were and they are and my staff did a great job driving. and so did the guys.

I've always got some goal that I haven't reached yet. Q. I wanted to get back to this game specifically. And probably never going to reach some of them. You won this game shooting six free throws. They always say that everybody's looking for perfection Xavier Tillman made two. Could you talk about the and you're never going to get it. I'm never going to get flow of this game when in terms of what you some of those goals but it's fun to see someone who thought you were going to do to win it versus what has done it with the class he's done it in, and then to you did? try to achieve some similar things. COACH IZZO: Great question. Number one, I said let's get to the line first. I think we got there Q. From the outside looking in, this might look like first, and my second best shooter missed two. And a 32-6 Michigan State team, a No. 2 seed, and then Cash missed one. That's kind of un-American. eighth Final Four. But on the inside, I think you He's a great free throw shooter. So we didn't do a very might agree, there were more obstacles for this run good job there. than any of your other Final Fours. Would you agree with that? Can you elaborate on that? And I said, we've got to outrebound them. The first 10 for that reason where does this rank in terms of the minutes I thought we did a phenomenal job on the satisfaction level? boards, very good job on the offensive boards. But COACH IZZO: I said, you know, my only other time -- then they took over. let's get something else straight, as long as we're starting to put me on somewhat of the same planet. But then the third one was maybe as big as any of We're 2-11 now. We just doubled our win total against them. We said, we can't turn the ball over. You turn Duke. We're 2-11. But I'd say the last time, when it the ball over. You turn the ball over and you get an was Kentucky and Duke, when we had a pretty good open court, and Zion is just flying and they've got team, but we were a 5 seed, it was pretty good in shooters and Tre is such a good distributor. Austin. To have seven turnovers against a team like that and But this one, when you look at what the players have turn them over 17 times, I thought was the difference in been through, when you look at how good Duke is -- the game. We didn't shoot it great. We didn't and yet, I can understand what it's like to get Zion back great. But, boy, we did do a good job with the and an injury, and then they also, you know, it was hard turnovers. And we did a decent job keeping Zion off because you get an injury to Reddish. He doesn't play the boards. a game. If you remember, I think it was '13 or '14, we had and that group; we had a bunch of When they put them in the post, that was tough players, and get hurt. sledding. We had to make a couple of adjustments on some switching we did. Players made good We were really good at the end of the year. We played adjustments on the run, too, and that was big. really good, yet we are weren't on the same page on everything and got beat by UConn. And I thought that Q. Yesterday you said to be the best you have to was one of my best teams. beat the best. Now that it has happened, you're beating the number one overall seed, this talented So I can't tell you how enjoyable it is, because I know team, does it make any sweeter based on this exact what these guys have been through. A lot of people team that you played? think they know what they've been through. But there COACH IZZO: Well, I mean, listen, when you're Duke,

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-04-01 00:33:00 GMT page 4 of 6 everybody that beats Duke is, you know, ready to put gotta get my only championship team and Magic's that on the wall because that's the program he's built. team to figure out how you win one again. And that's And that's what I'm hoping to still build. I mean, the what we're going to try to do. respect everybody has for Duke is why it's a big game. Q. Final Four being played in the U.S. Bank But I do think we beat arguably the best team in the Minneapolis Stadium. Tonight it was 20,000 fans. country. But there's another game coming up. There Next week it's going to be a lot more. How do you were a lot of teams and some pretty good upsets in prepare your team for that insane environment? this tournament, not early, but later on. COACH IZZO: I thank my former athletic director, Mark Hollis, because he had us playing everywhere from on And you know now what I've got to do is refocus. ships to in Germany, playing in in front of the We've been there. It's the eighth Final Four. But we've biggest crowd against Kentucky that ever witnessed a only won one. I have to reassess how I handle it, what game at that point in time. I do. And that's what I told my players; we're going to look at this -- my dream came true tonight on the floor, So I've been in some of these in those big arenas. And because Cassius' mother said -- I said, how about that they're eerie when you're practicing in them. There's -- and she said, that's not good enough. We've got two nobody in there but you. Felt like a guy that was more. walking down in the basement when I was a kid, there were like ghosts around there in this empty place. But I looked at her and I said, a woman of my heart. I just when it's filled, there's nothing better. And for me, absolutely loved it. I said thank you. Thank you. I'm Detroit was unbelievable. We had 30, 40,000 at the going to make sure I let your son and all the other practice. And that was special. And I'm a cold-weather players know exactly what you said. guy. I don't really care about golfing this year time of year, so I'm going to enjoy Minneapolis, too. So it's going to be grind city again. And we've got to figure out how we do things a little different because Q. The Final Four is kind of the continuation of there's some good teams up there, and not get what we've seen the last few years where you have enamored with this win even though this is a big win for veteran teams and not the one-and-done-type us and our program. teams -- Kentucky and Duke both lost today. What does it say about the value of experience maybe Q. You mentioned, maybe a little gallows humor the over pure talent and potential? last couple days, about your record against Mike COACH IZZO: Well, I think at Villanova set Krzyzewski. How much does the win to you today? the standard for that. If you really look back from when And over the years have you been able to distance we won it 20 years ago, and , there were yourself from what that record is and put a little a lot of veteran teams. more focus on the players and not so much about you? Mike, when he had Battier and all those guys, I think COACH IZZO: I put a lot of focus on the players, not there's a lot of veteran teams that have -- Mike did it in about me, but the record is the players and me. Listen, '10. Some guys have done it with less. I think Cal did there's a lot of teams that I've had a lot of success it in whatever year that was. And I think Mike did it in against, our program, our teams, and there's some that '15. I haven't. And there's a reason. They've been good. But experience matters. It really does. And it's And so 2-11 doesn't make me sleep any better. amazing what all his freshmen did. My freshmen Probably at the end of the year, but I'm going to sleep tonight played so well the other night -- they were deer better tonight because that second win, that 50 percent in the headlights. of the wins I had sends us to the Final Four. And I guess in my own way that first one I had sent us to a We were coming out of huddles, and one was Final Four, too. supposed to zig right and go left and he zigged left and went right. He said, My bad. I said, no, I don't like that What Cassius was alluding to is we had a lot of players my bad stuff. from that team. Our video people made a highlight film. And they all sent -- I guess the only good thing Guys, freshmen, it's hard to be in these environments. about Twitter -- they all sent in some things through the No matter who you play during the year, there's social media. And they put a nice tape together. And it something about experience. That's what I noticed in was all talking about those games back in Austin and my huddles. The Kennys, the Quaidos and the how they led us to a Final Four. And now I guess I Cassiuses, they were pretty calm, they were a little

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-04-01 00:33:00 GMT page 5 of 6 better at that than I am. THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Q. How do you feel about -- you've seen a lot of changes in the game over the years. How do you feel about the newest one, the NBA-tization of the game, five out, playing four littles, one big now, a lot of spacing, predicated on 3-point shooting, hard ball screens, all that kind of stuff, how do you feel about the college game trending in that direction? COACH IZZO: We all copy -- we do copy. Ball screens have been something that goes to the NBA icing down things. Whatever the NBA does we copy.

I still think there's room for big men. I talked to some guys in the NBA. And I've talked to some friends of mine that are coaching, and I don't think we're ready to give up on them.

Nick Ward was a very valuable part of today's thing even though he wore down and some things because of the hand. But he made some big plays. And we could get it in there. He could score it, where our other guys didn't do as good a job of that. I think we should be able to do a better job of being able to do both. But I'll play it whatever way the rules go and I'll adjust. That's kind of what we've got to do. I hope we don't forget about the big men. Sometimes, those guys protect me once in a while.

Q. Someone had the stat a few moments ago that almost all your seniors went to at least one Final Four. What does that mean to you as you hear that number as you hear that in your head, what it speaks to the consistency of your program over the years? COACH IZZO: That probably is what I'm proudest of is the consistency. I told Mike that about his. But it was Gary Harrison and Adreian Payne, two guys I love to death. And we had a really good team. We had a bunch of injuries during the year, and we were up nine on UConn and lost and that was -- they went on to win it. But that broke the streak. And Jim Nantz said to me last night, yeah, but every senior that has stayed there has at least been in an Elite Eight. And I don't know, just didn't sound as sexy to me. It was great. But it just didn't sound as thrilling to me.

And yet when I look back on it I'm proud of that, too. I've had so many good assistants and so many good players that grind it. We usually don't get the top of the top. And we had a couple. And I love that, too. But these guys have just kind of earned their way. They weren't given anything. They earned their way, and that's what I think veterans do. I talked to Jay Wright a lot about it a couple of years ago. And that theory about getting old -- I don't want to get old but it's nice when my players do.

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