Postgame Quotes: Ohio State 71 (14-4, 3-2 B1G), Michigan 52 (10-7, 3-2 B1G) – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2015
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POSTGAME QUOTES
Ohio State 71 (14-4, 3-2 B1G), Michigan 52 (10-7, 3-2 B1G)
January 13, 2015
Value City Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 15,548
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On Ohio State’s defensive effort
“After the 12-minute time out, Trey McDonald came in and his activity defensively really ignited us. I think we went on a big run there and the defense just sort of carried on from there. The guys did a great job reading the ball, helping recover it and doing the things we needed to do out there.”
On how to keep this type of performance going in the upcoming games
“I think that our team is starting to get a good feel for who we are. We know that we need to have the same type of energy in upcoming games that we did tonight.”
On D’Angelo Russell’s performance
“He’s a really good basketball player. I know that he isn’t satisfied when he doesn’t play well. One of the biggest things we have to do is challenge him when he does play well in terms of the next game and going out and doing the job he needs to do. We are a better team when he is on his best game. Not just his scoring game but the little things in his game as well.”
Sam Thompson, senior forward
On adjusting from Saturday’s game vs. Indiana
“We knew we wanted to control the game on the defensive end. We felt on Saturday they got to the lane too easily. They were imposing on us offensively instead of the other way around so we really wanted to be heavy in the gaps. We really wanted to pressure the ball, and we really wanted to make Michigan uncomfortable. Russell had four steals, I had a few steals, Shannon [Scott] was great on the ball, Amir was blocking shots, Marc [Loving] was doing his thing, and Jae’Sean [Tate] came in with energy. I think we did a good job.”
On finding momentum to come from behind
“They started out not missing, per usual. We knew they couldn’t shoot like that the whole game. We just kept contesting shots. We stuck to our defensive principles. We were going to score the ball on our offensive end and we were going to be able to pull away.”
D’Angelo Russell, freshman guard
On improving his shooting
“I’m in the gym constantly extra getting reps in. I know it’s all in repetition and sticking to my mechanics. You’re not going to make every shot, but you just have to forget the last one and step out for the next one.”
On his shooting success
“I can’t make every shot but I know that the shots I take, if I’m making them it’s great for our team and same for Sam [Thompson] or Shannon [Scott] or anyone. If they’re making their shots, it’s going to be great for our team in the long run.”
John Beilein, Michigan head coach
On this loss compared to others
“Every loss stings me the same way. We grow from it. By the time we get home, I will have watched the whole game and hopefully find ways for us to get better.”
On facing adversity
“Adversity and how you react is very different from game to game. I think you see it in particularly NBA, but you also see it in the NFL. If there is adversity and you don’t react well, you have to learn from it.”
On the number of unforced turnovers
“It’s an area of growth. These are the little things we preach. I get frustrated with any turnover, but I’m not upset with them. I’m upset that it takes time for young guys to get it and we will.”
Caris LeVert, Michigan junior guard
On Ohio State’s defense
“They did a great job defensively. We knew they were going to do that. They were denying our entries all night, which made it tough for us to get into a rhythm on offense. We had to do a better job of getting open and still getting into our sets.”
On preparing for Ohio State
“I think we prepared very well for Ohio State. We just didn’t have the energy that we needed. I think we saw everything we needed to see on film.”
Spike Albrecht, Michigan junior guard
On coming off a first half deficit
“It’s tough, especially on the road. That’s one of things we talked about before the game. We told ourselves we didn’t want to dig ourselves a hole on the road, because it’s a whole different animal than playing at home. Unfortunately, that’s what we did tonight.”
On the energy during the game
“We didn’t match their intensity from the start. You’re not going to win on the road in the Big Ten if you don’t play harder than the other team.”
