Big Ten Conference Men's Tournament Saturday March 16, 2019 Michigan State Spartans time I do, Arnie just couldn't get back in, so that screws Michigan State - 67, Wisconsin - 55 that up. During the week we work with him and not Gabe as much. So the way -- and then Nick got in so TOM IZZO: You know, it was a grind of a game. I say much foul trouble, we could not keep a steady rotation that every time I play Wisconsin, it hasn't changed. It's there. But I think besides the assists, the job Cassius part of the culture they have that started with Dick and did. You know, when Nick Ward made those three or Bo, and Greg has done an unbelievable job, too. I four plays in a row that kept the ball with us, probably thought the difference in the game early, we made all the -- most people wouldn't look at that as anything. our shots and they missed some wide-open shots. I That was about two minutes' worth of game-winning mean, they ran some good stuff, missed some good situations for us. I'm pleased where Nick is coming. I shots, and then as we got going, I thought we played really was hoping to play him 16, 18 minutes today. pretty well. The turnovers that still haunt us still haunt But he'll get his chance. There will be another game to us. We had some very unforced turnovers. I thought play. we got something out of Henry rebounding the ball. That was big. He gets 11 rebounds. The rebounding Q. Can you assess the Wisconsin rivalry? How is in general was big for us, out-rebounding them like this rivalry different with you guys? that. The assists to the baskets was really big for us. TOM IZZO: You know, I have great respect for Dick Whenever you get 18 assists on 23 baskets, that Bennett. I worked his camp when I was in college. I means your guys are moving the ball, and that's the was at Stevens Point. It was a war with Bo for a few kind of team I have. Cassius, I guess, hurt another years. Then we got on the board together, and by the ankle or a different one, and that's why he was kind of end, we were pulling for each other, and I really mean hobbling around before halftime. You know, when I just that, and still talk to him once in a while. You know, asked him if he could grit out the second half, and you there's not always love sometimes, but there's respect know what? He gritted it out. I thought we missed some that's probably more valuable. With those guys, it's shots in the second half. McQuaid, I didn't realize it, both love and respect because we've played in a lot of they said Tillman is afraid of heights, so every time he big games together. You know, for Greg, I came up the gets up there he's missing some of those dunks, so same way. And so I taught him a lot those first couple hopefully we'll work on that this week. But all in all, months and even first year. I think he's done an gritty performance by us. I thought a gritty incredible job under some tough -- how would you like performance by them. They never quit. They came to replace Bo? You know, they had just gone to two back. And we're going to have to somehow get ready Final Fours. His team has got some youth to it and to get back up tomorrow. they've got some veterans, but I thought he's done a hell of a job with them and he's done a hell of a job, so Q. As long as this team continues to play, do they the respect factor hasn't changed. Wisconsin, when remind you of some of your old-school Michigan you grow up in Iron Mountain, I think we're one mile State teams with that grit, maybe not pretty but from the border, so I'm kind of a Yooper Wisconsinite gritty? more than I am a Yooper downstater down here. I TOM IZZO: You know, we've been pretty, not as gritty. I know none of you know what that means. But Iron mean, we're gritty, but we're not like smash-mouth Mountain is in the finals right now as we speak; that's tough like some of those old teams. But we do it in a all that matters to me. different way, and yet it's -- you know, I thought the way we started out, we were upset with the way we started Q. How important is what Kenny Goins can do to yesterday, as everybody knows, and the first 10 you guys' ability to shoot, rebound and even made minutes were great and then we kind of died, and then a good pass for a dunk today at a key point? we played better after halftime. One of these days TOM IZZO: Well, Kenny has probably been the guy we're going to put the whole thing together, and when that's changed our team throughout the last two and a we do, we'll take another step. But I think the biggest half months. He is one of our best defenders. He is thing I've got to do tomorrow and next week is got to our best rebounder. He is maybe our best-conditioned come up with some better substitution patterns. Every guy, and he has really figured out how to shoot the ball

Rev #2 by #400 at 2019-03-16 19:50:00 GMT page 1 of 3 and does it with a high percentage. Kenny deserves a tomorrow. lot more than I've probably given him, but I think Kenny TOM IZZO: I must watch more TV, and I make my guys is putting himself in a position where there's going to watch the NFL when they're in the Super Bowl, the be some basketball for Kenny after college. NBA, I make them watch hockey, because whenever you're playing for championships, the human interest Q. At the Breslin Center last Sunday after the stories, the things that go on are really good. You game, I don't know if you saw 's realize a lot of kids have sacrificed or done some comments, but he talked about Michigan, Michigan things or coaches or programs, and that's what's great State playing for a championship, what it meant to about playing for a championship. I mean, it is -- the state, how excited he was about you and both people don't say "let's go finish second." You know, programs. Obviously you don't know who's going that's not the Knute Rockne locker room speech. It's to win the next game, but for those two schools, "let's try to win a championship." And when you're same state, such a high level to be possibly working in the summer, you always talk about playing again, how special is it for the state of championship effort. Some thing that will separate you Michigan? from the rest. You know, no matter who we play, we TOM IZZO: Well, I think we both agree, and people have a chance to play for a championship, and it's used to laugh at me when I said, of course I hate my going to be very, very important, and then find a way to rival. Who wants to hug and kiss the guy that took your get right back up. You know, concerning a little bit with girlfriend, you know? It doesn't make any sense. But I our group? Yeah. We're wearing down a little bit, to be have great respect for them, and I do agree with him. I very blunt and honest with you. And yet, as I told them think we're on the exact same page, that if we can after, boy, if you learn how to play through things, a lot make this into a Duke-Carolina, you know -- and I'm of people would kind of fold the table on, that's going to not trying to say we've gotten there yet because some help you in life because life is filled, as we all know, of that is over a test of time. But whenever you're with things a lot bigger than a damn game. playing in games that matters in the state, that's big. Matters in the conference, that's big. When it starts to Q. How differently do you have to control your matter nationally, then you've got yourselves something practices knowing the condition of your team and special. When both teams -- early on in my career physically where they are? when we were ranked I think 250th or whatever and TOM IZZO: Well, we have a walk-through room at the they were good, then we were ranked in the top and hotel, and we've been walking through. Tonight I'm just they weren't very good, it's hard to have a rivalry. So going to put like 10 beds in there, and I'm going to kind we got what the media wants, what the fans want, and of move them around like chess and say, okay, you believe it or not, what the coaches want, because it is should be here. It's hard. Now, the advantage is if we important that big games matter, and big games that play Minnesota, we haven't played them so well. If we matter nationally are even bigger games. play Michigan, we've played them. Things change, but they don't change drastically. My big thing is I've got to Q. When the game got close there in the second get Ward more and more in there if I can keep him out half, they went seven minutes and 24 seconds of foul trouble because I think he can help us, plus I without a point. How would you assess your want to get him ready for the big dance. So there won't defense, or were they just missing shots? be a lot of gym time tonight. I told my doctors and TOM IZZO: I thought we played better defense in the trainers that coaches are going to work hard tonight, second half. I thought the first half they missed some but not as hard as the doctors and trainers. I'm good shots. But I think in general, Greg wasn't happy bringing dinner in for them because they're going to with how they shot it. They've been a little bit up and pull an all-nighter for us tonight. down shooting, guys like Trice and Davidson, those guys can shoot it, and they haven't shot it quite as well. Q. To follow up on all you guys have been through, I think the other thing that was a key is Reuvers. We does pretty much adrenaline taking over playing did a pretty good job on him. We were going to switch. for what you guys are playing for tomorrow? We were going to do some things not to give him any TOM IZZO: You know, I think it does to a certain extent, open looks. So I think in the second half it was a little but Cassius has been on adrenaline for a while. At bit us. I thought the first half it was a little bit them. halftime, you know, I really didn't know what was going to happen. So adrenaline kicked in, and it got him Q. A little bit about the journey because there's through parts of another half. I'm not complaining steps along the way every year, but what does this about it, I'm just being honest with you. I think one mean tomorrow? There's another one coming everybody hides one thing or hides the other. You up after that, obviously, but the Big Ten know, by tomorrow, we'll be ready to play, and whoever Championship and what you guys are playing for plays will play. We're going to play as hard as we can

Rev #2 by #400 at 2019-03-16 19:50:00 GMT page 2 of 3 play and see where that puts us.

Rev #2 by #400 at 2019-03-16 19:50:00 GMT page 3 of 3 2019 BIG TEN MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Game 11 • Saturday, March 16, 2019 United Center • Chicago, Ill. #1 MICHIGAN STATE 67 (27-6), #4 WISCONSIN 55 (23-10) MSU will play WINNER of #3 MICHIGAN/#7 MINNESOTA in the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME at 2:30 pm CT Sunday on CBS

MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER QUOTES

Michigan State junior G Cassius Winston On how important the first six minutes of the game were… “It was huge. Getting out there and making a good start. Getting some shots, getting some stops and things like that. The more amount of minutes that we can put together in the beginning of the game, the more chance we have to win it.”

On the importance of winning a Big Ten Tournament title… “Like I said, just another chance at a championship. That’s what we play for here. That’s what it’s all about at Michigan State. You win these, you get banners, you get plaques, there’s all types of stuff in the gym, so it’s really important here to get those done.”

On the chance to play Michigan for the third time… “It would be great, but right now we’re just focused on the championship game. Whoever wins to play in the championship game, that’s who we’re going to play.”

On playing three games in three days… “Once it’s championship time, it really doesn’t matter. Nobody’s tired, nobody’s hurting. We’re going to be ready.”

Michigan State senior F Kenny Goins On getting off to a good start compared to yesterday’s game… “It’s big time, especially in these games against good teams. If you get down at all against a good team, they usually take advantage of it. We’re going to have to do the same thing tomorrow and hopefully, we can sustain that through the entire half now.”

On staying prepared to get called on every game… “Just got to be ready. Cassius is always going to be there to put you in a position to score if you’re open. Just being always ready to shoot when he’s got the ball in his hands — that’s how I got my first couple. Being able to hit them early is really what helps later in the game. Like I said with this entire year, I’m kind of just a benefactor of having so many great teammates.”

Michigan State sophomore F Xavier TIllman On having the opportunity to win a Big Ten Tournament championship… “It’s really big for me. Last year when we lost, I took that personally so now this year, my sole goal was to win this tournament.”

On being a part of a team that constantly competes for championships… “This school is a winning school. That’s what we do. That’s the mindset. Coach Izzo having his 600th win yesterday just means how important winning is to this school. That’s just the culture of Michigan State basketball. We’re going to play hard, we’re going to try to outwork each other, out-tough you and win some important games.”

Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Saturday March 16, 2019 Wisconsin Badgers

Michigan State - 67, Wisconsin - 55

GREG GARD: Obviously disappointed in the outcome. We could never overcome the start and couldn't get back after they got hot at the beginning, and I thought we did a good job of battling back at the end of the first half. Second half obviously extending a lot of it at that 6, 7, 8, 9 point differential, and too many opportunities given back to them, whether it was a key offensive rebound, even though they only had eight, or a foul, it extended the possession, and then they do what good teams do, they make you pay for it. We've got to make shots. We had some really good looks. Need to be able to score inside and out, and we weren't consistent enough inside, and obviously really struggled from the perimeter, even though we had some really good looks. We'll learn from this. Had a really good regular season, for this group to go 23-10 and be in the position they've been and the schedule they've played and put themselves in position for postseason play, so we'll look forward to seeing what happens tomorrow and continue to get better and see how long we can play in the next tournament.

Q. Was that pretty much the difference in the game? Rebounding was minus-14 for you guys and going 2-for-19 from the three-point line? GREG GARD: Well, yeah, they're going to have a differential of plus-14 when we don't make shots. That's a lot of defensive rebounds coming off that they can grab. I thought for the most part, we did a decent job of keeping them off the glass. They got a couple key ones there late, and then that four-, five-minute mark, three-minute mark where we were trying -- I think we were down nine at that point, or 11, but you've got to make some shots. As big as physical as they are in the paint, if you get isolated in there -- and we weren't able to convert near enough -- but when they did collapse, like I said, we had some good looks. You've got to make those pay because that forces them to separate a little bit more, spread out a little bit more and maintain focus, which is much help inside.

Rev #2 by #400 at 2019-03-16 19:32:00 GMT page 1 of 1 2019 BIG TEN MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Game 11 • Saturday, March 16, 2019 United Center • Chicago, Ill. #1 MICHIGAN STATE 67 (27-6), #4 WISCONSIN 55 (23-10) MSU will play WINNER of #3 MICHIGAN/#7 MINNESOTA in the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME at 2:30 pm CT Sunday on CBS

WISCONSIN PLAYER QUOTES

Wisconsin sophomore G D’Mitrik Trice On what he thinks contributed to Michigan State’s fast start… “They obviously came out and they were knocking down almost every shot. They were hitting every three, getting to the rim and things like that. I think we just got to start faster with a different mindset especially on the defensive end.”

On what he takes out of a game like this… “Yeah, I think you look at it from both sides. I mean we were down from overturning I believe at one point and we fought back, we can look at that. I know that there’s going to be a lot of things on film that we can look at and improve on, especially on the defensive end.”

On how shooting 10 percent from the three-point line makes him feel as one of the shooters on the team… “It stings a little bit, especially when you are not finishing as well inside. But it’s just something that happens every now and again. Teams go in a shooting slump from three. But there are definitely a lot of other things we can improve on other than shooting.”

On being satisfied with the shots he did take… “Yeah, for the most part, I think we got a lot of open looks. I thought we passed it around really well. It just didn’t fall.”

Wisconsin sophomore G On if he thinks this team can take a step from good to great… “Definitely, yeah. I think good teams are made in March, and the NCAA Tournament. We still have that in front of us. We can look back at our Big Ten season in our conference and non-conference, but we can’t change it now. So I think we got to be focused on becoming great in some way, try to make a run in this thing.”

On what happen when the team cut the lead to nine but didn’t make another shot for seven minutes… “Missed shots. We got a lot of good looks, Coach drew up a lot of good sets that got us open looks. I think all of us couldn’t hit the bottom of the net. Whether it was from three, or as a stretch, we didn’t finish well inside either. That definitely makes it hard on you, especially as a team trying to battle back against a tough physical team like that.”