Postgame Quotes From No. 19/19 Ohio State vs. No. 15/13 Wisconsin – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Notes
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On his halftime adjustments
“The biggest issue at halftime was to get a little tougher. They made threes and the put-back points were the biggest key. I thought we did a good job defending them but we lost our composure and had a few turnovers and gave up the baseline drive. We lost it a little bit and had to come back refocused.”
On Ohio State’s big plays in the second half
“Je’Kel’s shot was big, it (the lead) was at four there. Ron’s drive was a big play there (late) in the second half. Matt’s turnaround jumper was big and Terence hit a big baseline shot. We hit a lot of big shots there in the second half when we needed them.”
On needing a win after the loss to Michigan State Sunday
“It’s funny because I, as the coach, just zone to the next team. The rankings and that sort of thing, to be honest, I don’t pay much attention to that. For us, Wisconsin was 4-0 and the only undefeated team in the league. It was a tremendous motivator for us to knock off the team that was on top right now.”
Terence Dials, senior center
On the win
“Every win is important, especially on your home court. I’m just glad our team came out and played hard and got a win. They’re a great team. Our guys came ready to play and got something done today.”
On what Coach Matta told the team at halftime
“To go out and play a little harder and tougher than what we had been. Go out and get stops. It was more just a lot of their second chance points that killed us. We need to keep teams off the boards. That’s what kept them in the game.”
Je’Kel Foster, senior guard
On his mindset shooting the basketball
“Just take my time and they’ll start falling. Sometimes it felt like there was a lid on the basket. I’ll come in tomorrow and shoot some free throws.”
On what it took to get the win over Wisconsin
“It started at defensive end. Five guys came together and said we needed to get some stops and limit their offensive rebounds.”
Matt Sylvester, senior forward
On if the team felt it needed redemption after the loss Sunday to Michigan State
“Not redemption. We just came out with a controlled anger. We came out focused, especially at the start and then through the whole game. It was a good team effort. We knew we had to get this one. That’s why when our backs were against the wall so it makes it feel that much better.”
Bo Ryan, Wisconsin head coach
On the end of the game
“Right at the end there, if we score on about three or four of those possessions where we had decent shots, we could have gotten it to two or three (points). Our free throws weren’t going in. Who knows. But when you can come into a ranked opponent’s gym and be in that position and get it to six it’s do-able. Our guys battled tonight.”
On the last few minutes when Wisconsin could not stop Ohio State
“Basketball is a streaky game. They all went in. We need to guard better. We went some stretches where we didn’t get that.”
On Wisconsin having a chance to win the game late
“There were two or three (possessions) where it was still doable realistically. Once it got to eight and it was their ball you need some help. We hit some shots. We had only 10 turnovers and their guys were all over us. They were playing very aggressive. We did a good job and they didn’t look tired to me. When you play from behind it’s tougher, but you know we’ve done it, other teams have done it to us. Every possession is 0-0. That’ll never change ot me.”
