NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - NORTHWESTERN VS UCLA

March 17, 2023

Chris Collins

Brooks Barnhizer

Robbie Beran

Golden 1 Center

Northwestern Wildcats

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We have the student-athletes from Northwestern, Brooks Barnhizer and Robbie Beran.

You've had a chance to look at your opponent for tomorrow. What stands out the most? What will you need to do to pull off a win?

ROBBIE BERAN: I think the big thing we need to do is match their physicality. Good ball team, well-coached. We're still trying to get our game plan down. But I got confidence in our coaches to put us in the right positions.

BROOKS BARNHIZER: They have a tremendous player in Jaquez, a great point guard who kind of runs the show for them. Got to be ready for not only those two, but the guys that complement those two.

Yeah, kind of what Rob said, really match their physicality and kind of be us.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, gentlemen.

Q. The win over Boise State was one of the biggest in the program's history. What was it like to go from that and have to settle down and get ready for one of the best teams in the country? When did the preparation for the next game start to kick in?

ROBBIE BERAN: We really want to enjoy the moment, enjoy the win last night. Obviously spend some time, say hello to family. After the game, chill out with them.

Once we woke up this morning, kind of ready to turn the page. Coach talks about it all the time. Enjoy it, but we got to move on.

Q. Coach talked about it was Boo and Chase combined for 42, but everybody had to play a role in that win. Can you talk about coming into the season, what was the role that Coach Collins talked to you about, how you adapted to those roles, how easy or difficult it is to find that role?

BROOKS BARNHIZER: Yeah, I feel like just the coaches made a really good point early on, kind of like everybody has to pull their weight to be good.

There really wasn't like a solidified role that we had when the season started. I have kind of like came to be during the first few games. Once we got into conference play.

That's why I feel it was so impressive. It wasn't like this is your job, go do it. Everybody kind of read the game that way. As the season went on, okay, this is what I have to do to succeed. It can change by the game. If teams are keeping two on the ball with Chase or Boo, other guys are going to have to be more aggressive. If they're not, Boo and Chase can be aggressive, we have to pull our part.

That's why I think it's so impressive what we done, how we have to keep going. It changes by the game. We've done well at accepting the different roles we have in different games.

Q. UCLA, obviously, 11 national championships, all this history. Long time ago mostly. Does that mystique matter at all on this stage? If you're able to win tomorrow, what does that mean going forward for Northwestern's program?

ROBBIE BERAN: Obviously great, great history with their institution. Got to respect that.

To be honest, when the ball goes up, it's kind of in the moment. It's five-on-five, Northwestern versus UCLA. I don't know how much the, like, history really matters. It's obviously their team versus our team.

But depending on the outcome, two great teams playing at a high level. That's what college basketball's all about, getting the best of the best to play in March and have great games. Obviously we've seen games all week.

Does that touch your question?

Q. What I meant by the second part of the question is how important or how much pride is there in you changing the image and history of Northwestern? How much does that matter beyond this team?

ROBBIE BERAN: I mean, as a program, it would be huge. Obviously as a team together, we got together at the beginning of the year. I knew we had something special. Really just trying to make history. Obviously the team in 2017 ended up beating Vandy, then lost to Gonzaga in the second round.

It will be a huge step for the program. But we're just trying to focus on the game. We're not really trying to look at how it affects, like, Northwestern basketball legacy.

Q. Last week you had the tough loss to Penn State. In what way do you think that helps the mindset going into a game like tomorrow where it's a do-or-die situation?

BROOKS BARNHIZER: Yeah, I think it was kind of like -- that was like our second loss to Penn State in a matter of like a week and a half or something. I kind of just, like, made a point to us that every day's a new day. We have lost two really close, hard-fought battles. They both went to OT in a row. Doesn't mean the next one is going to be a win.

Our message is we have to be persistent. We have such a good opportunity to come play the NCAA tournament, kind of show what we're about. It's kind of tough if you kind of like dwell on one game. I thought we did a really good job of moving on to the next one, kind of being excited for this stage.

Q. You're going against a team that's been the Elite Eight, been in the Final Four, they've got four guys that have basically been there four years, they've had a lot of tournament experience. How do you deal with that? Does it make a difference once you're out there on the court?

ROBBIE BERAN: I think, yes, as you mentioned, they have a lot of tournament experience. It's a great core that they have. Developing their guys, seeing improvement every single year. Hats off to that.

Kind of at the same time I feel like we're an old team, as well. Of our rotation, we got one freshman playing. Other than that, I feel like we've had a lot of minutes together on the court in meaningful basketball, in close games. I think that's where you saw early in our career, early in my career, we would lose close games. I want to say last year there's a stat where games decided by five points or less. I think that's kind of the important thing.

Yes, they have tournament experience. But I think we also are pretty experienced, as well.

Q. This was asked of Chase and Boo yesterday. Can you talk about how impactful it is to have fans come all the way from Evanston or wherever in the world to Sacramento, to be here to root for you all, have that much purple pride out here?

BROOKS BARNHIZER: Yeah, I think it means a lot, especially because this is probably one of the farthest places that we could have been slotted to come play. Even though we came out here yesterday, we touched the court, there was so much purple, they were so loud.

It's so special for all of us because, like, we've all came here to try to get this program to these points and play in these games. To see our fans supporting us, coming out and supporting us, it's almost like unfathomable. The words, you can't describe it.

Super special. Super special.

ROBBIE BERAN: Ditto (smiling).

Q. Brooks, you had a basket that put the nail in the coffin at the end of the game. You went by the bench, gestured. Give me what that feeling was like, what you experienced.

BROOKS BARNHIZER: Yeah, it was actually kind of a pretty funny play. I actually kind of got beat on defense. He had like an open layup, but he ended up missing it. I got the rebound. I knew they were trying to foul. I was just trying to get the ball out of the backcourt.

When I just kept going, there was nobody in front of me, so I was like, Okay, I might as well just make the layup. Probably easier than going up there and shooting two free throws. It was just the right play, and I made it. I think we went up 10 or something.

I just kind of like was surprised that I even had that possibility. When I made the layup, I just kind of looked at the bench. It's just kind of like emotions. They were kind of going crazy for it. It felt really good to put the nail in the coffin right there.

We did need to go back and get a stop. I think we did hopefully. It was a good feeling. Kind of in-the-moment thing for sure.

Q. Brooks, can you describe the impact the seniors have had on you. When things are going well, but also at times especially early in the season when you were first kind of getting regular minutes, things weren't going so well?

BROOKS BARNHIZER: Yeah, I mean, that's like a great point. I remember for Rob, even earlier, before conference play, the game against UIC, I think I had a really good game. It was kind of like my first in-college game where I realized to myself, hey, I can be like a pretty good player at this level.

I remember after the game, like, everybody, we're all showering up. I was talking to myself. I was like, Bro, I can do this. I can do this.

Rob came up to me and said, Yeah, bro, I'm glad that you realize that 'cause you're, like, a really good player, you just kind of got to do that.

Once I had that game, kind of got out of the shooting stretch I was going through in the non-conference, my team has just been so great. They're always telling me how proud they are of me. Kind of how basketball is: the more weapons you have, the more people that are aggressive, the easier it is for everybody else.

Kind of for this team I kind of got to do that. They've been so just, like, great in their leadership, encouraging me. It's been really special. A really special group to be around.

Q. Robbie, a lot of your upsets earlier in the season against pretty big centered teams, Purdue, Indiana, UCLA has lost once since February 1st, for somebody like you where their best players are wings, how does the prep change for you because a lot of onus for you is rotating defensively, prepping for their perimeter game more so?

ROBBIE BERAN: Yeah, I think you got to tackle them how we tackle any team: stick to our principles, making sure that we get our rotations down, some of their favorite actions.

Obviously with our defense, we play a different style. It's a matter about just shoring up those details. Obviously in a tournament setting, they're on a one-day prep, we're on a one-day prep. You wake up, you see who you play, then you get to work. That's the exciting part.

I don't think preparation changes. I think it's every single day. We practiced today. We'll watch film probably tonight from the practice, then try to clean it up before tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Okay, gentlemen. Thank you.

We have Northwestern coach Chris Collins with us.

Coach, you've had a chance to look at some tape, get a good practice in. What are your thoughts about your opponent tomorrow?

CHRIS COLLINS: Well, they're pretty good (smiling). They're very good. I have known that. I've watched them a few times during the year.

Two, in my opinion, of the better players in the country in Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell, two guys that have played in a national championship, Final Four. Just tough, competitive, really smart players. They're athletic. They defend well. I think one of the best defenses in the country.

Really good on the boards, which is something we're going to have to do a better job of. We didn't do a great job last night rebounding. That's going to be a big focus of our attention, is making sure we match their physicality.

We know what we're up against. A terrific team. One of the best coaches in Mick Cronin. But we're excited. It's great to be playing. It's exciting to have a chance to move on. Our guys are looking forward to the opportunity.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. There's been a lot of comparisons made to the 2017 team. What do you think makes this group better equipped to advance past the second round?

CHRIS COLLINS: Well, I don't know if they're better equipped. I think both teams were worthy of that. I just think when you get to this point, you're in the second round of the tournament, you lean on your experience, you lean on what you've been through.

I think this team in particular, the level that we played in the Big Ten, who we faced, where we had to play. We've played in a lot of big venues this year on the road, in our conference, a lot of really good teams. Hopefully we can draw upon that experience as you play UCLA, who is one of the best teams in the country.

I thought both teams, there was a reason why they were here. They were really tough-minded groups, really connected teams, had great guard play. McIntosh and Lindsey with that last team. Now with Chase and Boo on this team.

It's hard for me. It's like having two children. It's like they ask you who's your favorite child. That's a tough question for me because I love both these teams.

Q. There's always an answer, right?

CHRIS COLLINS: Maybe so, but I'm not going to tell you (laughter).

Q. This is an opportunity for the program to accomplish a statement win, a win that you use to recruit players down the line. What are your team's thoughts on the opportunity at stake here?

CHRIS COLLINS: I think we're excited. How could you not be excited? You're at this stage playing UCLA with the right to go to the Sweet 16.

One of the things I've tried to tell the team is don't take for granted being in that situation. It's hard. Obviously we know in our program's history, it's only the second time. It's really hard to get to the tournament. It's even harder to win when you get to the tournament.

To have an opportunity to play tomorrow, to get to the second weekend, to do something historical that's never happened in the program's history, it's awesome. It's exciting.

At the end of the day, too, just like I have with these guys, I tried to tell them before our game last night, I don't want them to make it more than it is. You still have to understand it's basketball. It's a 40-minute game. When the ball goes up, you have to do the things you've done throughout the course of the year defensively, rotations, playing together on the offensive end. Don't make the game bigger than it is.

I thought a little bit when we were here last time, when we played Gonzaga, I thought early in the game, the game was a little bit too big. I felt that. Then we recovered and made a huge run, made it a game late.

I want the guys to go out there and just play ball. We're playing a great team. We know it's going to be tough. It's going to be a battle. They're physical, they're good. We got to come out and do the things that we do well and hopefully put ourselves in a position to be there when the game's getting to the final minutes.

Q. After one of the biggest wins in program history, you have to turn around and play one of the best teams in the country on two days' notice. What has your preparation looked like?

CHRIS COLLINS: For players, you want to get them as much rest as you can. I mean, these games are exhausting for them. They're laying it on the line. It's physical. We don't have a lot of depth, so our main guys are playing a lot of minutes.

Recovery, stretching. Our sports performance team getting with the guys, making sure we're doing a good job there.

We met with the guys briefly last night after UCLA had advanced just to kind of tell them who we were playing. We watched a little bit of an edit last night. The coaches were up most of the night to do a deep dive.

I tried to watch a number of their games to get a better feel for who they are, how we could attack them, what they would probably try to do against us so we can come this morning and be ready to give our guys a full scouts report.

That's what we did this morning. Had a full edit, went through our scouting and personnel, got everything in order.

Then we came over here and got 90 minutes on the floor to kind of put our game plan out on the floor and go through it. When we go back to the hotel, they got to get rest, food. We'll meet again tonight. Fortunately not playing till 5:40 tomorrow. We'll have a little bit of time in the morning as well.

I feel like we'll be prepared. Doesn't make it any easier. You could have a week to prepare for these guys and not be ready to go.

Our guys are good. They're older guys. They're used to it. Remember, we had a COVID pause, so we had a stretch during the conference where we played six conference games in I think 11 or 12 days. All really good teams. I think five of them were ranked out of the six teams.

We're used to short preps and hopefully we can draw upon that as we go into this game tomorrow.

Q. You mentioned you'd seen UCLA play a couple times earlier in the year. When you're watching a game, are you breaking down things and thinking if we play them, then this, that, or are you just watching it to watch?

CHRIS COLLINS: Just watching. I'm a big fan. I'm a basketball junkie. Coach Cronin and I have been friends for a long time. We were actually partners in a little golf event on a coaching trip, and we won. Just saying we were good teammates. He's been a buddy of mine. I've always kind of admired.

I like watching good programs and good teams. Not saying like we might play them down the stretch, but just kind of like coaches all steal from each other. I always as a coach am watching maybe there's a play I can steal or maybe they do something defensively that I like.

More just so as a fan, watching somebody that I respect in Coach Cronin and their team. Never once really did I sit and think, Man, we're going to be playing them in the round of 32 to go to the Sweet 16.

I love watching high-level game. Had a chance to watch them play Arizona, Arizona State. My teammate in college was Bobby Hurley. Caught one of their games when they played them.

Had a feel for their personnel, but last night was the first time I did a deep dive: This is how they play, this is what they're trying to do, this is what they're doing defensively. Last night was the first time to kind of dive into that really hard.

Q. You're obviously too young to have been around for the UCLA dynasty days. You're a basketball junkie. What do those letters mean to you? Does that mystique matter anymore?

CHRIS COLLINS: I think UCLA in the history of college basketball, it's one of those programs that is an eyebrow raiser just for everything they've accomplished. What now Mick has done, taking them to a Final Four. They were pretty much top five in the country all year long.

To me they've re-emerged as one of the best programs in the country. In my mind, they're going to stay there. It's special. It's special when you get to play those kind of programs. Playing in a conference like the Big Ten, we get an opportunity to play some of those historical programs as well throughout the course of the year.

As someone who has followed the history of basketball, great players, great teams, certainly it's special to play those teams. Will be tomorrow, as well.

Q. You just mentioned you're a basketball junkie. Coaching in college ranks, what is that to you? What is your overall perspective of coaching in the college game, the NCAA?

CHRIS COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, I think for me, I mean, I grew up my whole life being around the NBA. My dad was an NBA player, an NBA coach. I've always just liked being at the college level because I feel like you have an opportunity to really, when you're working with guys who are 18 to 22 years old, you have a chance to make an impact not only on their lives basketball-wise but in their growth as people.

I've always enjoyed that process. I mean, to have two guards in Chase Audige and Boo Buie who have been four-year starters, we've gone through good times but also a lot of bad times where we've struggled and not won. Their growth as players. Then you see them as seniors. To me, I've always loved that developmental part, being a part of that process, watching players grow, going through the growth of teams throughout the years.

Just the energy of college basketball. I've always liked competing in the venues that you get a chance to compete in, the excitement of student fan bases, all that.

College for me has kind of been an opportunity to make my mark. My dad kind of has been the NBA coach. So for me to be a college coach, to impact a lot of players throughout the years, kind of make my mark in college coaching, is something that was always exciting to me.

Q. You mentioned your dad a couple times. They showed him on TV the other night fidgeting, nervous. How would you describe the way he handles watching you coach?

CHRIS COLLINS: If you were able to take a picture of his insides, they were in knots in a big way. That's the one thing when your family is involved, but you're a coach, so you kind of know how a game's going, you know everything.

As a coach you kind of always know what can go wrong. So even if things are going well, you always know how games can turn and things.

I know it's crazy and there's no control. You're kind of watching. There's nothing you can do. I know it's agony for him just because he wants me to do well, but also he has an impact on our players. It's such a family program when you're in college, which is great. When he comes to visit, he'll pop into a practice and see the guys, kind of give some of that wisdom as someone that has been in the NBA for 50 years. He's got a good relationship with our players.

I always laugh when they show his reactions and things 'cause I know he's just going nuts in his mind and his stomach is in knots.

It's cool to have that support. It's great to have someone that has been around so long and knows what's going on to be a great resource for me as I continue to grow and hopefully improve as a coach.

Q. You've been a player, a coach. Overall what does the game of basketball really mean to you?

CHRIS COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, basketball has been such a huge part of my life. I mean, like I said, I grew up, and I don't know if I took it for granted, but I didn't realize growing up, my dad's playing for the 76ers with Dr. J, Darryl Dawkins, all these guys. I'm in the locker room and I'm going to practices.

Then I'm in middle school and he's coaching Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. I'm a ball boy, working all the home games, all the practices.

That was my way to hang out, too. For me to hang out with my dad, I mean, he was coaching, so I always wanted to tag along. I wanted to go to practices. I wanted to be at the games. I always was such a big observer as I was growing up. I wanted to watch the great players and watch the great coaches.

The game has been a huge part of our family's life ever since I was two years old. I mean, it's all I can remember. I'm fortunate that I've been able to be in it. Now I'm also 50 myself. To be able to play and then have the opportunity now for the last 25 years to be in college coaching. Also coached two Olympic teams. I've been really lucky to latch myself onto some really good coaches with my dad and Coach K.

The game has taken me to some amazing places. Now to be in the NCAA tournament, I still feel like a little kid when I come to the NCAA tournament. Watching the Selection Show, being part of a team that gets picked, I feel like that same little kid who dreamed of being there one day.

It's awesome, man. I love the game. It's been a love of mine my whole life. I always wanted to be a player. Once that dream ended, coaching has now been a way for me to kind of redirect my passion into something new.

Q. Early on you talked about Jaquez and Campbell, how they can change the game. UCLA also has other players like Amari Bailey, Singleton. How do you not only focus your attention on the two main guys but also other guys that can change the game?

CHRIS COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, they have a terrific team. Unfortunately they've had some injuries. I mean, obviously we know Bailey. He grew up in the Chicagoland area. We've kind of known him since a middle school age.

He came out to California. A terrific talent. He's quick. He's explosive. He's aggressive. Really gets out in the open floor. He can attack the basket. He can rebound.

Singleton is a really good shooter. I told our guys he reminds me of a couple of guys we faced with Penn State, Andrew Funk, Seth Lundy, guys you just can't leave. If he's open, he's going to make it.

They have some big, strong guys on the front line that are doing a great job for them that set screens, they rebound, they roll, they finish with dunks around the basket, block shots. It is a well-rounded team.

They have two stars, but there's a reason why they're top five in the country, it's because they are well-rounded, they're connected. They all kind of know their roles. If you focus too much on other guys, then the guys that we just talked about can really hurt you, as well.

It's going to present a lot of problems for us, there's no question. We're going to have to be really locked in, connected. Hopefully try to do our best to limit them to a tough first shot.

What concerns me is when that first shot goes up, can we rebound? Last night we did not do a very good job. This is an even more physical, more athletic and longer team than we faced last night.

Can we force a tough first shot and then rebound the ball? Those are going to be two things that are a main emphasis before we play tomorrow.

Q. How much did the Northwestern fans impact the atmosphere yesterday and hopefully Saturday? What does it mean to have that buy-in on the West Coast?

CHRIS COLLINS: It's awesome, man. Both times now that we've been in NCAA tournament situation, you see the power of the Northwestern fan base nationally. We've been in the West twice. We were in Salt Lake City six years ago, now being out here in Sacramento.

To walk out onto the floor and hear the "Let's Go 'Cats" chant, seeing purple. I'm hearing there's even more people on the way, coming tomorrow. It means a lot.

I told the guys not to take that for granted. They've done a great job of capturing the Northwestern family's attention. People have really rooted for this team. You want to have that support. You go into a big game like last night, what we're going to face tomorrow, and you want to have those fans behind you.

It's special. I know it's something that means a lot to our players, means a lot to me as a coach. Something we've worked hard for. I know we have a great fan base. But I've always said we've got to do our part, too. We got to put a product on the floor that's going to be worthy of that support.

I think it's all come together this year. It's been fun to see the support we've gotten.

Q. You've talked about UCLA is an elite team, top five all year, their talent. You knocked off the No. 1 team in the country this year. What kind of advantage does that give you? What can you draw from that experience?

CHRIS COLLINS: Yeah, I think what our guys realize, I think what everybody realizes, is there's a lot of really good teams. UCLA is certainly one of them.

On one given night, if you play great, you can have a chance. That's the beauty of the NCAA tournament. If we played UCLA in a seven-game series, could we beat them four out of seven? I don't know. Maybe not.

When you play one game, and you have an opportunity to play hard, put things together, what the game is going to entail. I don't know the number. I haven't tabulated it. Obviously playing Purdue. We played Indiana twice. We played Illinois twice. We played Iowa twice. We've played a lot at Maryland, who is in the NCAA tournament. We played Penn State twice. We've played a lot of games. We played Auburn. We've played a lot of games against teams that are in the field.

Really down the stretch of the season, I believe like our last six games maybe of the season were all against NCAA tournament-quality opponents.

I think our guys are excited. You have no chance if you come into the game and you don't think you can win. That's the main thing. We respect UCLA fully. I mean, they're a great team. We respect everything they're about.

But I don't want my guys to come in tomorrow not believing they can't win. We got to have that belief. We got to have that confidence. Then we got to do our best to carry it out on the floor once the game starts.

Q. You've had the opportunity to watch two brothers on your staff and rotation. How have you seen their relationship evolve? How do you think they play into each other with that sibling relationship?

CHRIS COLLINS: I think it's been a great dynamic. First of all, Talor is a terrific young coach. I would want him on my staff even if Boo wasn't on the team. I mean, was a great, great player, played in the Big Ten. All-time great at Penn State. Has been a great influence on our whole team.

To see the dynamic between those two over the last two years has been special. I preach 'family' all the time. My son is in our program as a manager. Families are around. I just believe in that.

To see two brothers kind of go through this journey and work with each other every day on the court, sometimes yell at each other like brothers can.

But it's good for me because then I can be the good guy. Talor can yell at Boo, then I can come and put my arm around him. I don't always have to be the bad guy.

I think it's been great. Talor has been an amazing influence on Boo. Boo looks up to Talor. In so many ways he respects his brother so much. Just to have that security kind of having family on the bench in ups and downs, to have someone you can fully trust over there I think really has helped Boo's development over the past two years. It's been fun to watch.

I smile when I see some of the videos of them hugging, all those. They're going to look back on this. We all get older. To look back and say they had a couple years where they could work together, go to an NCAA tournament, win a game, beat some ranked teams. To have those moments together, man, those are really special things for families.

Q. Exactly a week ago you had the loss to Penn State. Would you say there's anything the team can draw on from that?

CHRIS COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, obviously we played them twice in kind of a week span. Both games were overtime, right down to the wire.

We had dropped a few games coming into the tournament. Really I wasn't that concerned because I thought we were playing pretty well. We lost the game at Illinois where we had an 18-point lead on the road. Terrence Shannon went crazy in the second half. They have kind of beat us in a close game.

We played Maryland. They went undefeated all year in our conference. Lost there. Lost on a buzzer-beater to Penn State. Then went to Rutgers and won a big game on the last game of the regular season.

I thought we played well in the Penn State game. I thought we defended them fairly well in the Big Ten tournament. I think we shot horribly. I think we shot 30% from the floor. Chase has a three. If it goes in, we win the game.

I think those experiences all help. Close games. Needing stops at the end of games, needing to find a way to get baskets at the end of games. All those things, good and bad, you learn from those experiences and you move forward. Hopefully you can apply 'em as you get into those next situations.

Q. You have a local kid, Tydus. He's from right down the street here. Do you think he was responsible for some of that purple coming up this way? What does he bring to your club?

CHRIS COLLINS: It's been great to have Tydus this year. Obviously everyone, it's documented, the most unproven spot coming into our year was our front court. We had two guys that had played for the past three years and had commanded all the minutes. Now you have Matthew Nicholson who really hadn't played. We brought in Tydus as a veteran. He's a sixth-year senior, older guy. He's played a lot of basketball. Great personality. He plays hard, does his role really well. Just having another veteran presence on the team.

He's really blended in with the team great since day one. There was no one more excited to come to Sacramento than Tydus as soon as that popped up. I know he's got a bunch of friends and family here supporting him. What a special way for him. It's his third school. He's playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time. Having an opportunity to compete in your last year in your hometown is really awesome. I'm happy for him.

Q. UCLA lost to Illinois. Beat Maryland pretty handily. Do you go back and look at games like that?

CHRIS COLLINS: Yeah, I think what you try to do is everyone kind of has different styles of how they defend, how they play offense. I think what we try to do is watch some games. Okay, are there some teams that did a really good job against certain things against them? Are there teams that attacked them well? Maybe you can get a few nuggets from watching those games.

Certainly I remember I had watched that Illinois game. Illinois had a huge second half to beat them. I think they played in Vegas.

The Maryland game was early. I think UCLA was the only team all year to win at Maryland if I'm not mistaken. Maryland went undefeated in our conference. I think that was their only home loss. They played great that night.

I think you try to learn from different styles. We do some things maybe that are different than what other teams do. Sometimes you watch and some of the schemes that we have are a little bit different, so you try to look how are the things we're doing going to be successful.

There's no question, there's so many good coaches out there, so many people who have good game plans, you try to learn as much as you can in a 48-hour window to help you put a game plan together.

THE MODERATOR: Coach, we've run out of time.

CHRIS COLLINS: Awesome. Thank you guys for being here. Appreciate it.