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What Chris Collins said following Northwestern’s win over Wisconsin
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Chris Collins and Northwestern picked up a huge win over Wisconsin Sunday evening, improving their record to 16-7 on the year and 7-5 in B1G play.
Collins was high on his defensive effort Sunday, but said there was a ways to go offensively. After all, the 2 teams combined to score 106 points in a 54-52 rock fight victory.
Collins on better defense: “It’s really been our calling card all year long. We’ve had some slippage with our defense as well. I thought we made a lot of mental mistakes against Michigan the other night.”
Said that the defense “has been able to win games for us.”
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 6, 2023
The Wildcats held the Badgers to just 38% shooting, notching 5 steals and 5 total blocks. The one guy Northwestern had trouble stopping was Chucky Hepburn, who totaled a game-high 17 points.
Collins talked about guarding a strong player like that postgame as well, making a pretty incredible NBA comparison.
Collins on the defense against Hepburn: “He’s like Damian Lillard. He’s gonna go left and shoot the step-back. It’s harder said than done to stop it. He’s gonna get to that left hand.”
Was content with forcing harder tries on the last two possessions.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 6, 2023
Collins on defending Hepburn in the final sequences: “I’d rather him not have the ball. Late in the game, you put it in your best player’s hand. He’s delivered.”
Alluded to there being similar situations for Audige and Buie for Northwestern when ending games.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 6, 2023
Here’s more from Chris Collins’ postgame press conference.
Collins: “In this league, the coaches are so good. When you get to the second go-round, you see the scores get lower and lower. You really have to adjust as an offense.”
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 6, 2023
“Anytime you play Wisconsin it’s gonna be a rock fight.” – @coach_collins 🪨🥊 pic.twitter.com/FA1lBfhire
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 6, 2023
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.