On Thursday, the Wildcats overcame a rough first half to defeat the Huskies 72-63. Led by Scottie Lindsey’s 19 points, Northwestern moved to 11-2 and will begin conference play on an eight-game winning streak. Here’s what Chris Collins and Isiah Brown had to say after the win.
Chris Collins
On Northwestern’s performance: “We just had a hard time getting going...The thing I was proud of was at halftime we didn’t panic...We finally did enough to get that lead...I’m really happy to win.”
On the team’s performance this season: “To be 11-2 with the schedule we played...[I’m] very pleased with the position we’re in...Your record is now zero and zero [in the Big Ten].”
On his message to the team at halftime: “They were probably expecting me to go nuts...I just thought we had to just regroup...We had to get some fight...I thought their team was competing and we were just playing.”
On whether the team’s performance this season has met expectations: “Coming in to the year, I thought we could be really good...I believe we could be this team.”
On Benson’s play: “I think it’s great. [The Big Ten] a physical league...To add another big guy that can come in and play with confidence...is great.”
Isiah Brown
On the bench’s performance this season: “We’ve definitely tried to establish that group...Depending on how the game is going, we’ll get to make an impact...Gavin’s playing really really well...Obviously, Tap has been shooting the lights out.”
On the atmosphere at halftime: “I think our team is self-led, and that’s something that coach has been preaching...The best teams have guys that can talk to each other...Anytime you can get a win, you’ll take it.”
On starting conference play: “We approach every game as an individual battle...We just wanted to come out every single night and fight...We’re very happy with the way that we played...Now, it gets real.”