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- First of all, a note from Northwestern associate director of athletic communications Nick Brilowski: Northwestern went 18-for-18 from the free throw line Saturday, which is the third best free throw shooting performance in school history.
From the postgame press conference:
- Update on JerShon Cobb: Collins said he had hoped to have Cobb back Saturday, but decided to hold him out for at least one more game. Collins said that Cobb has practiced on a limited basis this past week, and maintained that he was optimistic that Cobb will be back in uniform soon.
- Nate Taphorn got nicked up in the second half Saturday. Collins: "I think he just kind of strained his leg a little bit. But they told me he was fine to go back in the game late."
- Collins lauded Scottie Lindsey's performance, calling him a "catalyst." Lindsey scored 12 points, but Collins was most impressed with his defense and energy.
- Vic Law had another underwhelming game, and Collins says Law has had some difficulty adjusting to the physicality of the college game.
- Alex Olah saw a lot of double teams from Northern Kentucky. Collins said that after Olah struggled early, he did a nice job of adjusting and passing out of the doubles. Olah only scored 2 points, but finished with 7 assists.
- Collins on getting freshmen ready for Big Ten play: "It’s a hard thing. We’re still developing…But part of it is getting out there and playing."
- Collins said he is pleased with the 9-4 start to the season, and said that he personally is a lot more prepared as a coach than he was at this time last year.
- Collins: "We'll get what we deserve in conference play."
Collins talking about Big Ten play like it’s a completely different animal for his players.
— InsideNU (@insidenu) December 27, 2014
- Bryant McIntosh: "The one thing you learn from making the jump to college basketball [is that] you have to be extra sharp mentally... you've got to be there mentally every single day."
McIntosh says he doesn’t think about whether he is being relied on to score or to set up teammates more. Says he likes to pick his spots.
— InsideNU (@insidenu) December 27, 2014
- Tre Demps on NU's slow start: "We were retreating and they were attacking."
- Demps' father, New Orleans Pelicans GM Dell Demps, was at Welsh-Ryan Saturday, and Tre said he and his dad had a workout before the game.
- Demps on the Big Ten: "This league is a monster. Every night is a grind. Every night is a battle. Everybody comes super prepared." Demps echoed Collins' in saying that the Big Ten is a "whole different level."