Post-Game Quotes - Rutgers - Michigan State University Athletics

Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo

Opening Statement…
Boy, all the blaming I do on players and we have to blame the coach. I'd like to start out by saying Steve Pikiell is one of my better friends in this league. I have incredible respect for him and I told my team this would be the toughest team we played all year physically. And it was physically the toughest team we played all year. He went with that small lineup and it did give us fits in the first half and, you know, we didn't play very well. I said I'd blame the first half on the players and the second half on me. But, you know, for me, culture and traditions matter almost more than anything. And I just kind of, I don't think it was anybody's fault either. It wasn't like the guys I put in did everything wrong. We just, they made shots, that team shoots 29% from the three and they shot about 55 tonight. And the disappointing thing for me is I didn't think I had many guys that played well. But I would like to single out Cam Ward, I think had a great game. I really thought that Denham Wojcik had a great, great game. And Coen Carr had a very, very, very good game. And Jeremy (Fears) had a good half and Jaxon (Kohler), Coop (Carson Cooper) had some moments. But we did not play as well because the biggest factor in the game for us was turnovers. And we said at the beginning of the game, if you turn the ball over, they'll get their break going, they'll get gone. Well, we turned it over. They didn't get their break going as much, but we didn't get any opportunities. We had six less opportunities than them in the first half. And that was a shame. But all in all, you know, we shot it pretty good. We just didn't defend it as good. And I don't know if they can shoot that from the three with those quick guards and very well-coached game. And he did a hell of a job to come back. So give me a little blame, give him a little credit. As far as the technical, seriously, I never heard of something like that, you know. But the ref told me that that's right in the rule book. So that is my fault. I should be able to relay the rules to my players. And if I don't, why should they know it if I didn't know it? And that's what I told the official. But I didn't argue it because of that. But I think it taught him and I a lesson that you still can't do that. It was a five-point play, and a lot of things changed. But before you blame him, I'm not protecting him. I don't protect him ever. He's a quarterback. I'm the coach. We're the two guys that get the most crap and deserve it because of the positions we're in. But that was not his fault. He wasn't boisterous about it. He, man, just pointed, I guess. I said, did he flamboyantly did it? Maybe you saw it differently. He said nobody pointed at it. So that is the rule, and it was called correctly. And how about me? A lot of good things. I can talk about the seniors. And I'll just preface it by saying, because I know some of you guys are tricky, I would not answer one question on our next game tonight. You know me. We're going to have press conferences. We're going to have open press. So don't try to sneak one in because I know some of you are. And just go with tonight's game. You go with the seniors. You go with the bad job I did. I'll answer all those questions.

On if there were nerves about senior night…
I do (have nerves). I mean, Cooper had that one. I mean, he said it. We gave him a great pass to the post. We wanted to go inside right off his hands. You know, the guy that maybe struggled the most wasn't a senior, but poor Jordan (Scott). I think he stepped out of bounds twice and dribbled out of bounds once. And he's been so damn good. You know, he's been as good as a lot of freshmen in the league. And it was just one of those nights, you know. Thank God we were home. Thank God our crowd was great again. That second half, I mean, that stretch was, I think, an incredible stretch for our team and for our fans. And I was grateful for that. But, yeah, I think there was a little nerves on that. I do. And that's the way Senior Night is. It's, you know, I thought with Jaxon's great grandfather getting introduced. You know, we talk about heroes in sports. How about that guy, you know, one of 12 guys that's left from the Pearl Harbor situation. And I said to my staff, I hope Jaxon doesn't put the first shot into the tuba section and wound a guy. But, you know, it happened. It's over. We won the game. We scored a lot of points. We had an incredible stretch. And the coach, I told Jeremy, we all aren't perfect. We all make mistakes. The difference is I made a couple tonight. And I promise all of you in this room, meaning my players, not you guys, that I won't make the same mistake twice. If a player can say that, then we're in business. I'll stay on message with celebration.

On his senior night celebration…
Yeah, you never get to celebrate. I guess that's what they say retirement's for, or that's what the end of the year is for, for the seniors. But you really do need to look at that. And those seniors have given us a lot, and they came from nowhere. I mean, those guys just got better every year. Coop and Jax, I mean, you guys read the stories. There's only a few players that stay four years anymore. How criminal is that? How ridiculous is that? And I'm lucky enough to have three guys that stay with me for four years. And that's been a pretty good tradition here for the most part. So, yeah, I'm going to enjoy the night. I'm going to enjoy it until I get upstairs. And then I'm going to burn the tape and start working on our next game that I won't talk about.

On the seniors kissing the court after the game instead of when they sub out…
Oh, yeah, that's, that's always a tradition here. Well, I think I'm not a very good coach. You're not a very good reporter. I mean, there were seven seconds left when the game was determined. I mean, there wasn't anything I could do. I couldn't put them in, take them out. Last year I got reprimanded for things like that. So I got to watch what I do. But no, I didn't like the way it went. But there's nothing I could do about it. The players understood. And that's why I was so appreciative of so many people that stayed. And I was appreciative that those players got a chance to do what we do here. And it's what we do here. It's going to be what we do here until I'm done. And I'm hoping that it continues after I'm done. Certain traditions are special. And when I tell you that the managers were practicing, doing push-ups, kissing the floor upstairs the last couple days, that means it's a pretty good tradition.

On to keep the momentum in the final minutes after taking out the starters…
Well, the end of the first half, Cam Ward, I thought, played really well. And he kind of got us rolling a little bit and made some plays. And then the start of the second half, I mean, we did have a come-to-Jesus meeting at halftime. Why wouldn't you? I mean, we were not very good. And so we talked about it. But the good news is I think the players were more upset than the coach. And that's always a good sign. And they vowed they were going to play better the second half. And they did it defensively because the defensive stops as we got our running game going. And I'm telling you now, I've had a lot of good athletes here. And, you know, I always joke about Coen. But there were a couple times that Jeremy just kind of looked like a receiver and a quarterback, you know? And he took off. He's got different speeds. But he showed me a couple of new speeds tonight. Twice he was at half court. And I don't even know how he got there. So I give a lot of credit to him. And besides the dunks, he got some big rebounds, hit the three. What was he from the free throw line? Eight for eight from the free throw line. One for two from the three. Six rebounds. And some of those were above the rim. No turnovers. That was Coen Carr's best game as a Spartan. And we needed every bit of it. So I was really happy for him.

On putting the starters back in when the game got physical…
I don't think that's that difficult. I really don't. It was difficult for me to have to put them back in. I felt it insulting to the guys that were in there because it wasn't all their fault. I mean, they hit two or three threes that were tough shots, you know? So, I mean, you know what, guys? It is what it is. And I told you where I think I messed up, and what I messed up on was the technical because that changed a lot of things. And then it got him his fourth foul. And so when I say it's my fault, if you think I'm protecting them, you're insane. I'm not. I'm telling you the truth. Coach screwed up. Put it in bold letters. So I got to learn with a win, too. I always tell them it's better winning a game, learn a lesson, than it is losing a game. So I got to do that. But is it hard? You know, I don't think so. I mean, all you have to do is get the ball in bounds. And we just, hey, they were quick, and they were tough. And I told Steve that after the game. I mean, mutual respect for him. And I heard his team played, and they're young. That team, he keeps them together. If somebody doesn't tamper with them, they're going to be damn good. I promise you, damn good.

On Earl "Chuck" Kohler being honored before the game…
That's our marketing people. They came up with it because I didn't. That's another thing the coach didn't do a good job of. I don't know what the hell I'm getting paid for, J (Batt)? What the hell am I getting paid for? But how special can that be? Not just because it's his dad, but we all should appreciate a guy from Pearl Harbor, one of a few left living, 102 years old. I'm damn proud of our university, our marketing department and our athletic department for doing things like that because that was a special moment. I say there are a lot of heroes, as I said earlier, but what I learned when I went over to Kuwait is the best team in the world is our military and none of us can even come close. So it was cool. Yeah, it was cool.

On Denham Wojcik playing 12 minutes and overruling Doug Wojcik to give him more minutes…
I thought it was going to be a hard game for him because they were quicker than quick. But I told you this — how long ago was it when you guys were questioning that? I don't blame you, but I said the kid has stuff that we all, as coaches, look for. One of my good friends, Jerry Rosburg, is here — football guy — and it doesn't matter what sport you're in. I talked to Adam (Nightingale) before he left. We're all looking for guys that will do what they have to do to win games. I thought the play he made at Indiana when they cut it to six was big. I thought his defense and some of his passes tonight were big. I keep saying it's, not because he's Doug's kid. I overruled him one time. He said, "No, we can't put him in now." I said — politely — I'm the head coach, he's going in. I'm glad I did because that's a tough situation for a dad sometimes. But I was so proud of the kid. Trey's (Fort) only been here nine months and Denham's been here nine months, but he was really here before that. He used to go on recruiting trips with Doug and me, and Doug's wife would make jerseys for him when he was 4-years old. He's been a Spartan for a long, long time.

On Cam Ward playing the five in small lineups and his long-term potential…
Yeah, I just saw Antonio (Smith) and he reminds me of Antonio with a little more offense. Tougher than nails. Got some big-time rebounds. He can handle the ball a little better. One for one (free throws), so he's proving that a little bit. In general, Cam's had that injury. I was talking to Raymar Morgan and he was trying to show me how he was shooting and it's off a little bit. It's all because of the injury. When he has a spring and summer, I think that kid is going to take an enormous step next year. I really do. Another kid that's tough and he rebounds the daylight out of the ball. He's got to get in better shape so he can run longer, but he's going to be a good player. I felt bad for Jordan (Scott), but maybe it's okay. He struggled and he's been pretty sensational for a lot of games. He struggled once. Welcome to our world. I think he handled it pretty well.

On Ward's energy and using him late in the game…
Jaxon (Kohler) still played a lot of minutes, but we thought Cam could guard. They were so small. They went with all guards for a while and he gives us the ability to be bigger, stronger and rebound better, but still have enough quickness to guard a guard. That's why we did it. But even then, let me tell you something, there were a couple mistakes on that. Guys weren't supposed to pick up full court and they were driving in there. We did some things we've got to work on, so we'll get better at it.

On the four-year guys…
They're kind of like the guy next door. What's nice about both of them is they're just the guy next door, except they're 6-foot-10 and 6-foot-9. (Carson Cooper) Coop was 30 miles from here and we didn't even know about him. Think about what he did. Coop just turned 21. What will they be for me? Hard to ever beat a (Mateen) Cleaves or some of those guys. Even a Steve Smith who's here tonight, my first recruit. You remember those things — first kiss, first recruit. But I might remember those two because of what you just said. The landscape has changed. It doesn't make it right. I think they got a feeling how their fans felt about them. They will always have a place to come back to. Always. When I'm dead, they'll still have a place to come back to. Someday someone's going to wake up and realize that's got some value to it. This university has value to it. Before I'm done, I'm sure there'll be a picture of those three guys in my office and nobody will know what the hell they're there for. I've got pros. I've got guys making $300 million. But that'll be Coop, Jaxon and Nick (Sanders). I'll appreciate what they did for me, what they gave me and how they maybe helped prove me right. We are 55-12 in the two years they've been here. But that's going to be one of the best records we've had here in a two-year span with some games left to win. They don't owe me. I owe them for that. Everybody can leave now. Everybody can leave now. Some decide they like where they're at. They appreciate their teammates, appreciate the school they're at, appreciate the brand they're at. Those guys will be examples. Some of the guys that left will be examples too if things don't work out, but we don't deal with those things. All I deal with and all I care about is the guys in that locker room, to be honest with you.

Opening statement…

Junior forward Coen Carr:

On improving his free throws…
I feel like last year, I think my stretch of free throws was during the end of the year in the tournament. So, just kind of looking at how every man counts, every free throw counts, so just trying to be as confident as I can and go up there and knock them down.

Redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr:

On if this game was 'weird'…
Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, it was like, they were up, we were up, we went on a big run, they come back, close game, then we go up again. That was a weird game, for sure. But I think sometimes styles make fights, the lineups and matchups they kind of have. I would say like a four guard, sometimes even five guards and wings, like group. So, sometimes they're playing a 6'6 four man, or a 6'7 five. So, like, some of that stuff is different, especially with how our team is, we really don't play a lot of small ball.

On getting their big men in foul trouble early and the emotions of senior day…
Sometimes, we play a lot of one, two bigs and whatnot. So, it was like it was worth it. But overall, I'm grateful. A lot of emotion with the guys and senior night, especially for me a little bit, these older guys, a lot of them I came in with. Nick (Sanders), Jaxon (Kohler), Coop (Carson Cooper), I was able to come in as a freshman, and those guys are sophomores, and take a little bit from them. So, it was a little crazy. Those guys are my guys that I came to college with are basically leaving now.

On feeling a sense of urgency for the seniors…
A little bit. Obviously, we turned it over a lot in the first half at times, so we gave them free possessions, and they scored off it. They made big time open, contested threes. They kind of kept the game scrappy. So, overall, if we got stops, we were able to run and get great shots. So, it was like just do what we need to do. We can get great shots and open shots. In the second half, early, we got to that point.

Senior center Carson Cooper

On his favorite memory of Breslin Center…
I've got a couple. I think the two that kind of stand out to me is my first game hearing my chant. That kind of caught me off guard, and I think it was my first game my sophomore year that they started. That was such a cool moment. And then I think being on the team when Steven (Izzo) made his shot, it was one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of, and how loud the place got. Those are probably my most favorite, but it's unreal how much energy this place always has. I don't think it's hit me how much I'm going to miss it.

On his favorite part of Michigan State…
I mean, I think the networking and building so many relationships that I'm going to continue to use throughout my entire life. Not even just all the teammates I've played with, but even the coaches, guys that we meet along the way, the alumni, just kind of building those relationships with those guys outside of basketball and just understanding how they work and how they are as people is something you can't take away from me. So, that's something I value in my four years.

On if he believes the sport is at a better or worse place with the changing landscape…
That's tough. I think there's always different. It kind of depends on the situation. If you, as a player, are able to buy in and really understand that sticking with something is most of the time going to bring you returns in the future, and that's what's going to help you be successful. I think guys that play college basketball are guys that have a short-term memory, kind of want short-term success, that's where you can get. It's sketchy, but that's what Nick (Sanders), Jaxon (Kohler) did. We could have gone and played more somewhere, could have played, got the ball more, could have made more money like that, but it's not a value that we have. Now, I think it's just understanding how that can help you in the future.

Senior forward Jaxon Kohler
On nerves at the beginning of the game...
Yeah, no, I think, beginning of the game, we had a lot of turnovers, and we didn't play as well as we should have. And it wasn't until halftime, we really got to the room and got on each other, because this is not how you can go out. But, first half was sloppy, and you know, we just didn't bring it. We're gonna make sure that we address everything tomorrow and following everything, or even tonight. First half was sloppy, but then we picked it up. You just have to make sure that in the last minutes we don't have anything like that, but it was a crazy game.

On his emotions on Senior Day...
When people say their life flashes before their eyes. My MSU career flashed before my eyes. I saw the video of me on the aircraft carrier and I was just hugging my parents the whole time. I told them how much I love them and how proud I am to be their son and how much they mean to me, how much they've helped me through everything. That they are the first people that I owe everything to. They mean everything to me and it was obviously really emotional.

Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell

On the fight his team showed…
Going on the road against one of the best defensive teams in the league and one of the best in the country, but we had four minutes in the start of the second half where we had some real issues. It's a forty-minute game. Obviously, you're playing a ranked team with great seniors. So, we played hard, and our guards are getting better. To come on the road and score 87 points, but defensively we have to play better on that end.

On if the defensive effort in the first half can be carried over to Sunday's game…
I mean, our defense was so good in the first half. We've been able to score points in this league, and against the best defensive team in the entire conference. Rebounds were a problem, but no quit from our guys. Guys played their butts off. We're looking forward to getting a home game here, we get to send 'E' (Emmanuel Ogoble) out in the right way.

On only having eight turnovers…
I will tell you, Lino (Mark) gives us a different gear. He's really playing at a high level, and obviously, Tariq (Francis) getting five assists and zero turnovers, his floor game has improved. He's pretty good with the basketball, and we've been pretty consistent in that area, but you have to give Michigan State credit. They're really good and ranked for a reason. Jeremy Fears (Jr.) is a problem. I mean, eight assists and twenty-one points. They're big guys are a match-up problem, we got into foul trouble early, but we had no quit and we kept fighting. Hopefully we take that into Sunday.

Michigan State University Athletics

Post-Game Quotes - Rutgers

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