NCAA Men's Regional Semifinals and Finals: Washington D.C. Saturday, March 30, 2019 Washington D.C. physicality isn't new to us, really. Q. Matt or Cassius, you guys have been on a role Nick Ward going back into the Big Ten. Can you put a finger on what's gone so right to allow you guys to kind Matt McQuaid of just keep piling up win after win like this? CASSIUS WINSTON: I would think our defense. That's Cassius Winston been the most consistent thing for us, just holding Michigan State Spartans teams to low percentages, cleaning up on the rebounds and things like that. Just playing Michigan State for this little stretch. We've been THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Michigan State rebounding, running, defending, and that's what we do head coach Tom Izzo and student-athletes Cassius best. Winston, Matt McQuaid and Nick Ward. Coach, an opening statement? Q. Cassius, what have you seen on tape so far of ? What's your plan of attack for COACH IZZO: We're excited. It doesn't get any better than this. I think this has been a year when players tomorrow? teach you more than you teach them, as resilient as CASSIUS WINSTON: He's a really, really good player they have been and kind of what they've gone through. for that team. He does almost all the little things. But as we've talked about it as a staff and we've talked They've got lots of talented players, a lot of dudes that with our players, everything we've gotten this year, from got a lot of credit and things like that. But he holds our Big Ten Championship to the Big Ten Tournament, them together. He makes big plays for them. He's a to this Elite Eight appearance, has been earned and really good defender. He's a key, key part of that team. not given. And that makes it special. And the guys that earned it are the guys to the right of me, and Q. What have you seen from Zion, and how much they've taken me along for the ride. are you looking forward to the challenge of facing basically the guy everyone's talked about all So we're excited to be here. We know that Duke is the season? number one overall seed. And they've earned all their NICK WARD: He's extremely athletic. He rebounds the stuff, too, with the way that program has been, Coach K ball at a high level. He's a great player overall. Me, X and the players. So hopefully it will be as good as a and Kenny, all the bigs really, are very excited to take game as the billing. on this challenge tomorrow, and we'll do our best to contain him. Q. Cassius and Matt, as captains of this team, a lot of talk about Zion, but your guys' team is extremely Q. Nick, first of all, just the hand and what's your physical too. I just asked Zion about matching up. status and how is it feeling for tomorrow? Do you think your physicality is under the radar, NICK WARD: My hand's doing good. It was bruised. not getting the attention maybe nationally that I'll be fine. It's a day-by-day type thing. But I'll be fine. people in the Big Ten are aware of? MATT MCQUAID: I mean, yeah, we do a lot of little Q. For any of you, the whole year, nationally, things. And Coach always says attention to detail. Duke's been the story, Zion's been the story. But And we just try to go out there and execute as best as with them having two close calls in the past week, we can on our cutouts and just on the defensive end in is there any of that that kind of leads you to guys everything we do. It's just all detail. be, like, it's just a team? You know what I mean? Does that change anything? CASSIUS WINSTON: We do a good job of hitting CASSIUS WINSTON: I think that was our mindset bodies, being physical down there, boxing out. We going into the game anyway. They're a really good play physical, we play in a really physical league. So team. They earned their position. They earned to be

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 20:25:00 GMT page 1 of 7 in the situation that they're in. I feel like we're a really that's been our mindset the whole way. Now that we're good team also and we earned to be in this situation, in this situation, we're not afraid of it. We embrace too. challenges. We embrace opportunities.

So we've both got good coaches. We've both got good They're the highest No. 1 seed. So it's going to be a programs. It comes down to executing and which team huge game, a huge opportunity. And we're looking to plays the hardest. take advantage of it.

MATT MCQUAID: Both respectable teams. Both MATT MCQUAID: Like Cassius said, just having that earned what they had, like Cassius said. We're just one-game mentality and winning the weekend. We excited to have the opportunity to play in the Elite knew big picture we probably would have to see them. Eight. But we were just taking it one game at a time. And now we have the opportunity to play them. Q. When you landed yesterday, what was the first thought that went through your head on that hand? Q. From all three of you, how would you describe And second of all, when you woke up this morning Coach Izzo's impact on your lives both as men and how was it, and is there anything that's going to as players. keep you off the court tomorrow? NICK WARD: Well, Coach Izzo just wants the best for NICK WARD: Nothing is going to keep me off the court you. He pushes you to your limit each and every day, tomorrow. And my first thought when I landed on the which is only going to help you on and off the court, to hand was just make sure everything's all right. My see your full potential. trainers, Nick and doc took me back and made sure everything was cool and everything looks good. And he's never satisfied which is good because he doesn't accept mediocrity. And he really inspires me. So basically this morning it was sore. It was sore. But I expected that. It's more a day-by-day type feel. MATT MCQUAID: Coach is one of the most passionate people I've ever met. Always coming ready to work. Q. Cassius, Coach Izzo has talked about how you And I know you guys only saw him that one clip of him rise above the pressure and then it never really that got on Henny holding him accountable. What you gets to you. Interested to know where that might don't see is laughing with us at practice, laughing with have started for you and your playing career, us off the court, joking with us off the court. maybe if it was in your youth or just where that gene comes from to rise above that? And when someone is going through something, him CASSIUS WINSTON: As -- I would say, just been a being the first one to call, and helping us get through long time. I remember when I was little I used to cry a tough times. He's always the first one at our door. He lot. I used to let my emotions get the best of me in a lot always says call us whenever he wants. He's a big of situations. Like I said, it didn't help me any, you part of everyone on this team's lives. know what I'm saying? It would just take me away from my game. And nothing ever good came from it. CASSIUS WINSTON: Definitely just a huge part of the person and the player I am today just constantly I've been through a lot of mistakes, been through a lot pushing you, constantly wanting you to get better, of situations, just keep learning, getting better to the constantly believing in you more than maybe you point where I feel like there's not much that you can believe in yourself. And that's just huge. throw at me that I haven't seen, not a lot of situations I haven't been in. I'm going to figure out a way to get out A lot of things thrown at you, a lot of things you learn of it. on the fly, he's with you every step of the way just pushing you. Q. Cassius and Matt, when the bracket came out everyone kind of pointed at this was the dream Q. Can you take me through your initial play matchup, Michigan State versus Duke. Obviously against Duke in 2016, and from then how you guys their freshmen against your experience and savvy. have grown as players to at this point in time? Was this something that you were looking forward CASSIUS WINSTON: My freshman year? to or hoping to see, to get the challenge against the team that everyone's pegged as the favorite Q. Yeah, freshman year, you played at Duke, at from day one? Cameron Indoor Stadium. The experiences from CASSIUS WINSTON: I wouldn't say we're looking that game and how you feel you've grown as forward to it. We just focus on one game at a time, and players since then.

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 20:25:00 GMT page 2 of 7 CASSIUS WINSTON: Man, that feels like so long ago. colleges make a lot of money. But what we never talk Like I said, I feel like we're more confident. We know about is the kids could lose a lot of money. Making a more about ourselves, the type of team we are. We wrong decision at 18 or not ready for the world that know the system. We know the coach better. All type you're entering -- one of my first recruits, one my of things. favorite guys, a guy named Steve Smith. And I remember him saying to me many a times, still to this We've grown over the years. And I feel like individually day, you know, it is a job. we're much better as players. And so that makes us better as a team. The NBA is a job. It's a job just like you've got and I've got. Some of them make a lot more money than you MATT MCQUAID: We came a long way from that and some of them make a lot more money than me. game. That was two -- two, three years ago? We've all But as we all learn as we get older, money isn't the become more confident and better players, and it's a only thing that makes you happy because there's also whole different team. We're really close together and a lot of pitfalls in that. well-connected. And I just wonder where I'd be at 18, would I be ready NICK WARD: I completely agree. That was a long time for -- well, I don't wonder, I know what I would have ago now, just thinking about it. But, you know, we're been ready for. more experienced now. We've been through everything as far as injuries and a whole bunch of So I worry more for the players. And yet everybody's adversity. So that made us who we are today. trying to say players should have all these rights. If you could make such good decisions at certain ages -- I Q. Cassius, just as a basketball fan, how much did still always wonder, why do you have to be 36 to be the you watch Duke even when you were a kid? And president, you know? It's because you don't make as when you hear Duke, what comes to mind? good of decisions when you're younger. CASSIUS WINSTON: You see them a lot. Like I said, they've got a history of really good teams, really good And, hell, until my dad died I still asked him for his players. And so you always see Duke. You always see opinion on things and this and that. I think these kids, them doing big things. they get a lot of people in their circle. And that's the only thing I worry about. They're fun to watch. Definitely, like I said, when you think of that's one of the things you If it's one-and-done, if it's coming right out of high think of, just that organization. And they earned it. school. If it's two years and done, we're going to play They did a lot of great things throughout the years. by the same rules. And probably I'll keep my job and Had a lot of great players come through there. probably the school won't go under. But I really worry about how many kids either don't make it or make it, THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Questions for Coach. but their life's been tainted because they're not mature enough to handle those situations. Q. I asked Coach K -- you're not sitting around reflecting on this tomorrow with Duke tomorrow, And I laugh at the people because I'm not against it at but I asked how he sees the game changing when all. I just I don't think -- there's moving parts that I don't the one-and-done changes in '21 or '22, whenever think we know; and then it will take five, six years to the NBA rule goes in. And he basically said we figure out, was it good or was it bad. And I don't know. don't really have a plan for that in college There's only a couple LeBrons and Kobes out there. basketball right now for that. I wondered if you had thoughts on that will be the next major paradigm There's a lot of people that have gone the other way. shift in the sport. What are your thoughts as you That's the only thing I worry about. It's for them. It's look ahead to that? not going to make any difference to me. COACH IZZO: There's so many moving parts right now with the G League and those rules and the NBA and Q. You faced Coach K in the tournament now for what happens there. I've stayed the same course the two decades dating back to the 1999 Final Four. I whole time. I honestly am still worried more about the was wondering how has your and/or his style or kids and the decisions that they make and who's objectives changed over time over the past 20 influencing those decisions. years when you see a guy over and over in March? COACH IZZO: You know, I see him. I don't like seeing And everybody else says, well, the coaches make a lot him as much because we haven't had as much of money and the teams make a lot of money and the success. But what I do is I have incredible respect for what he's done. I think any coach, any player, any

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 20:25:00 GMT page 3 of 7 person, any CEO that can consistently work at a level When they talked about him having the injury and of excellence, I'm a fan of. some people brought up shutting it down, I have no clue, I just sat back in my house and said, from what I And I don't think we've changed that much. I don't watched, that kid is not shutting it down. He was born think he's changed that much. He dipped into the more to be a basketball player. He was born to be an one-and-done style and has found a way, like a athlete. chameleon, he has -- he can just figure out a way to make it work for him and has done an excellent job of And in that respect it's going to be good to play against that. somebody that I respect in different ways than just as a great player. Maybe that's the only thing that's been a lot different is the number of one-and-done players they had. We Q. What has the leadership of Cassius Winston have a few. Not as many. But he's maintained -- man, meant to your team this year? And how have you he's maintained it since the late '80s when I really seen his maturity develop since he first joined your started watching them and figuring out how they do program? things from the Johnny Dawkins and Jay Bilas area COACH IZZO: He really has matured a lot. And his and Grant Hills and Jay Williams and the guys we maturity has been more on the court. He's one of the played in that first '98 game. And then we were in a more mature players I've known. He's one of the better couple of Final Fours that they were in, sometimes students I've had. He's just -- his two brothers are two played them, sometimes didn't. of the most important people in his life.

But you always keep an eye on the programs -- and I He's pretty grounded. In fact, he's an extremely think everybody does this in life -- that have been grounded kid. But he has grown as a player. He's successful. And you try to figure out how do they do it, become a better defensive player. He's become more and then how do you beat 'em. And I figured out a little talkative. He realizes that I've been harping on him for bit how they've done it. I haven't figured out as well two years that, you know, when the head dies, the body how to beat them. I'm still working on that. And that's follows. And when you're a quarterback, you're the why we're still a work in progress. head.

Q. Have you ever coached or seen someone at this And every once in a while I said, did you see those little level like Zion? And how just how difficult is it ducklings following you again? If you don't do it the going to be to deal with him? right way or motivate them, or if you don't drag them COACH IZZO: You all know I'm a big football fan. with you, they're going to follow you whatever way you Khalil Mack is a guy I look at and say, geez, if I could go. borrow somebody from the Bears, maybe we could cover him. He's an incredible athlete. But what I loved Sometimes Cassius can be Cassius. He's got a sense watching about him up close and personal that I didn't to him that you wonder how passionate he is see is he really -- and I don't have any idea -- but he sometimes because he's always stayed so even really seems like an incredible person, you know? keeled. But I know inside there's a burning desire, but Seems like a good teammate. Doesn't seem like a guy sometimes the other players don't. So I say, like today, with an ego for the skills he has. He seems to play as I just said at practice, remember, you've got to bring it hard as anybody. even if it's not as much physically, you've got to bring it emotionally and communicatively. He's got the most incredible first step. That's why he's getting all those steals. He can take one dribble and And I think that's where he's really, really grown. And cover more space than most human beings that I know he's a special kid. And he's still the guy that you'd line can do. And so then he has the strength to finish at the up, and I'm not sure you'd pick him out to be one of the end. So he's not Superman, but he's damn close. best basketball players in the country, but when you watch the things he does and the way he handles And we're just going to have to figure out a way. And I himself and the IQ that he has, which is off the charts, think most people have, that great players usually take he's found a way to be a hell of a player. more than one person to cover them. The problem is they have some other weapons. But everybody that's Q. I know you just talked about how much you said everything about him, I think they're all true. And I respect Coach K and his program. But what is guess what I like about him is to have a college your relationship like with him and how much do basketball player that seems content where he is, not you guys actually get to interact during the year or worried about where he's going. during the offseason?

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 20:25:00 GMT page 4 of 7 COACH IZZO: Got real close a couple years ago when that is here this week in Andre Hutson. And he went to my son was picking teams. And he picked Duke. And I four Final Fours. And he once said, you know, when disowned my son for a year or two. But I remember we were going against different teams back then: To when Duke beat us that year. Coach K had made the be the best, you've got to beat the best. statement that he's always got a scholarship at Duke. Well, we have a chance. Not everybody has a chance Well, now he's graduating from high school. So Mickey to do that. But Duke is, as you say, everybody's (phonetic) is going to be short some money because I favorite. And they've been the number one No. 1. So think I'm going to get Steven to go there. (Laughter) it's our chance to go against the best and I think we're but I've had a good relationship with Mike. I respect looking forward to that. people that do it the right way and that have again found this consistency over, man, it's been 30 years or Q. On the one-and-done thing, RJ and Zion maybe more, you know? probably would have been drafted had there been no rule last year -- And we used to be on some boards together and some COACH IZZO: Damn, I vote for the rule change. things. So I knew him that way. And I am on still a (Laughter). couple things with him. But I'd say it's a good healthy relationship except one hasn't won as many games Q. How much do you think it benefits them both against the other and hope to find a way to change physically and, let's face it, financially that they that. were at Duke a year, they're playing against college guys and building up their brand before they go to Q. I know you sort of made a face when I asked the NBA? about Duke's close calls over the past week. Over COACH IZZO: You know maybe of all the things I'd be the course of the year, with them being sort of the an advocate for, we act like college is not important. story and everything, but your team has beaten And I'm not saying that -- I know for some of my guys teams that are maybe more athletic than your team, that are great students, yeah, it's important that way. even last night, probably. And so how do you kind Some of my guys that aren't as good of students, it's of reconcile those two things, the fact that, yeah, important for them that way. But the experience. I talk Duke's a great team they've got great players, but about, all the time, that there's certain phases of your your team is -- life when you have things happen that become COACH IZZO: You know what I'm proud of about our memories. And that's what life is. It's a bunch of those team, we've played 24 Big Ten games this year. We've memories. played -- I think we've won more Quad 1 wins than anybody in the country. We've not lucked out to get And I've always said, my buddy Mariucci and I could sit here. We've earned our way here and we've earned around to this day, and -- we both had a lot of success, our way here through some injuries. but we both talk about college. What was it like living in the trailer back home? And it's a topic beyond Yes, they've had Zion and I don't have a player like that. topics. But I've had four or five that have been injured and we've kind of had to regroup. And I think we grew from When our guys come back, even our alums now, we that and for some reason I'm not as big and strong as did some crazy things, you know, like, many years ago, some Michigan State teams are. But this group has before legal systems and everybody in the Internet, been a little more fearless. And I've had some knock- you know, we did practice once with football pads and down, drag-out teams that maybe weren't as mentally people would think that was crazy. comfortable with where they are. That's the most talked about thing we have. When we And I think all the adversity we've gone through has have that reunion and they're having a beer and I'm made us maybe more mentally tough than physically having a pop because I'm not allowed to drink in case tough. Last night, you know, our whole MO was to slay anybody sees me. That's the topic of conversation. the dragon that was so physical and so big. And our guys found a way to rise to the occasion. And, I mean, pro ball is great. And I love the NBA. But it's different. It's a job. It is a job. This is not a job. And I still think the Big Ten, as evident with us and You kind of volunteer to be here. And once you get Purdue still hanging around, it was a very good there, it's a little different. conference. And we found a way to win the regular season with Purdue and found a way to win the Big Ten But I think it's going to be good for them, I really do. I Tournament. So you know what? We have a player think watching those two guys -- and seeing Zion have

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 20:25:00 GMT page 5 of 7 to deal with all the pressures and it doesn't look like done that. he's changed. You know, I'm not with him on a daily basis. But I know I had Jaren Jackson last year and And so this is a match up that I don't know how many , and I don't think some of these guys get people want, but it's 1 versus 2. Is there one other enough credit on how classy and how good they are. one, 1 versus 2? Kentucky and who? So we're the We build them up and put them on pedestals so we only 1 versus 2, not that it really matters. But it's really can rip them down. what you want. The last game of the day to go to the Final Four. But I think college helps you learn how to deal with that. And I don't care if they're allowed out of high I hear kids talk about shooting that or school, if it's one-and-done, if it's two-and-done or if it's making that 3 or that layup that you did out in your three-and-done. But I do think that there is great value driveway. For a coach, this is what you do. You dream in anybody that gets to go to college and be a college of it and now you get to live your dream. How cool is kid -- be able to make a mistake and it not cost you the that? world. Q. For all you've accomplished, you've also talked I think that -- watch what you wish for a little bit. If it and even joked about still chasing Duke and could works out for them, God bless them. you ever even catch Coach K and the victories and everything else, and the and the 1-11 record and all Q. Tom, last year's team was a lot like this year's this stuff comes up. Is this one of your last Duke. A lot of individual talent, great players, high obsessions? Is this the great white whale you're draft picks. There may not even be a first-round chasing? draft pick on this year's team, but this toughness COACH IZZO: You're calling Coach K a white whale, can it be attributed to what they went through last huh? It's what everybody should do. Everybody has a year with all the off-court adversity that wasn't fair standard you want to get to. And when players say to them, could that have instilled the toughness in you're never satisfied, why would you be satisfied? this team that you've even wondered, where did it Unless it's time to hang up the whistle. Why would you come from? be there? COACH IZZO: It could have, because I do wonder sometimes where. I don't see the same guys, you What he motivates me to do is there's always another know? I had a Travis Walton or , and challenge. I was around during the era. Cassius isn't the same makeup on that. I had a Morris But in a lot of ways it was a different era back then, too. Peterson or Jason Richards, and Matt McQuaid isn't But I wasn't coaching then. He has done it as the same makeup as that. A Zach Randolph. I mean consistently and as well. Nick's close in some of those ways as far as toughness. And so when I look at that or when I look at my buddy Nick Saban, who has done it as consistently and as But I think that just all the different adversity. We found well on a year in, year out basis, that's what I want for a way to win 60-some games in two years and playing me, just like what I want for my players, is them to max still one of the best schedules. And I think that helped, out. So I want to max out. I've got bigger goals than too. And so we've kind of hung in there and we've kind just beating Duke. I'd like to get back to another Final of grown together. That's what's so cool about this Four. whole thing is there will be relationships for life. I'd like to win another national championship. I'd like to This is a very connected team. And I used to use the get our program in a position where, whenever I'm word close or everybody got along, but connected done the basement's built so strong that it will go means that there's just a line, one to another, all the forever. I'm on boards still. I want to do what's right for way down. And whether that will be good enough college basketball. I've got a lot of goals. tomorrow, I don't know. But I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I mean, it is one of the things you did But I think I could focus in on making one of them the dream of. And I heard someone ask a question when game tomorrow night and see if we could change that the pairings came out, you know, we're allowed to -- 1-11 record that -- hell, not many guys outside of their we're not supposed to talk about it, but anybody, if league are playing them 11 times. I figure that we've you're dreaming big, you gotta look at it and say, what if played them a lot. Played them down there a lot. we could play this team to get to the Final Four. Played them in different events and we've knocked on Because winning games during the tournament aren't the door. It hasn't opened yet. One of these days it's as exciting anymore because we've been there and going to open.

Rev #1 by #188 at 2019-03-30 20:25:00 GMT page 6 of 7 So, you know, I wish my dad was alive. I wish Jud was Q. What was your reaction when you saw Zion go alive because I think they would both enjoy this kind of way up and get that alley-oop dunk? And what was setting. And Jud, time after time, would pull for me, your reaction for Buzz Williams at the end of the would talk to me. I had seen in the stands game when they had that perfect play and it just pulling for Matt Painter. I hope I become one of those didn't go in? coaches that really puts a lot into the people that take COACH IZZO: It can happen in football, but I say in over for me like those guys did for us, because that's basketball, between the 3-point shot, fouls, different pretty cool, in this day and age where half the people things, a lot of things affect the game a little differently. will be mad if the guy that followed them succeeded. And watching Zion go up and up, I said we better make sure we either put a lot of pressure on the ball or we So I've been blessed. And I've been -- the dreams that don't let him get to the rim. And watching Buzz and the I had have been superseded and yet I think I'm going job he's done there -- I love Buzz, he's tough as nails -- to pick some new dreams and see if I can go a little came up with a great play at the end. And I feel for the farther. kid who missed it, because you kind of live with that. THE MODERATOR: Thank you. But that's what sports is all about. There's a lot of highs. There's a lot of lows. There's the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, as they used to say. But in Zion, you've got a kid who I'd say is kind of every so often -- he's not an every-year-type of guy. And I watched him up and close personal yesterday.

And now we're going to get to play them. And it's not going to be Michigan State against Zion. It's not going to be Krzyzewski against Izzo; it's going to be Michigan State against Duke. And I'm proud that I've got a team that I think is ready for that challenge.

Q. When you walked in the door in East Lansing all those years ago, what did you hope to achieve, and how does reality compare with all of these Elite Eight trips and all these victories and this resumé you've accrued? COACH IZZO: You know, I just hoped to get a job. I applied for the job three times with Jud, and he turned me down three times. I begged to be a GA. That's when I first walked in the door, I was a GA, and just dreaming about -- I still remember the first Big Ten game. 10,000 people in the arena. And it was more than in my hometown. And I sat there and looked around like a kid in a candy store. And then, you know, when we started winning and we went to that first Final Four, first NCAA Tournament, actually, in '98 and then the Final Four in '99, it was a dream come true. And I said Mariucci has been with me at most of them, and we used to sit in my room and say can you believe this is happening to us? And that's a cool thing.

I say to the day I die that I want everybody I touch to get to do what I do. And that is to live what you dreamed about and you talked about. Probably some of this stuff when I'm done I'll say superseded my expectations. But as long as I'm in it, I think I'll keep my expectations higher than what I was dreaming and see if I can reach them myself.

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