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Northwestern 76, Northern Kentucky 55: postgame notes and quotes

Here's what Chris Collins had to say after Northwestern's comfortable win over Northern Kentucky.

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

- 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."

- 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."

- 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."