Northwestern University Athletics
Quotables: Northwestern vs. McKendree
11/1/2018 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Wildcats battle McKendree with a sold-out exhibition at Friday at 7 p.m. The matchup will also be the unveil of the new Welsh-Ryan Arena.
"It's really nice to be home … Now that we're back at home, you guys are going to be blown away by the new facility. It's an amazing place, but not only is it beautiful with all the bells and whistles that new construction brings but we feel like we really captured what we really wanted to do with the building, to make it a really tough place to play for opposing teams. It's a smaller venue, every seat is right on top of the court. The students will have prime seats, right in the end zones, right on top of the action. We think it's going to be a loud, very raucous building that hopefully is going to give us a home-court advantage this year."
—Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on the new arena
"Just a winning culture. Just to make sure that they know Northwestern is a program for winners. That's what we're trying to build here and what we've been trying to build for my last four years here. Just that winner culture, just making sure that the program is in good shape when I leave."
—Senior Dererk Pardon on what he wants to impart before he leaves
"He definitely spreads the floor. I think he's a really good shooter and he's confident in his shot. Ryan Taylor will definitely add a different dimension to our offense with the way he's able to shoot the ball and create plays for himself. Just having him as another floor spacer will be good to opening up lanes for drivers like me and Anthony [Gaines]."
—Senior Vic Law on what graduate transfer Ryan Taylor brings
"I'd say this year, just from watching film last year, a lot of things were off the ball screen, where we're doing things off the 'get-action.' So just passing to the big and coming off of screens that way without having the ball in our hands most of the time. That's the big difference."
—Graduate transfer Ryan Taylor on how the offense has changed from last year
"We have to view it like a real game. There's so much uncertainty, there's so much new. New rotations, new system, new guys in different toles, six news players. I have to start trying to put some pieces together, put different lineups together, see who plays well. You could potentially see me start a different lineup in the second half than you see me start in the first half … I think there's value playing in front of fans. Especially with a new arena, I think it will be a little extra special Friday night. Hoping the students come out. I know they're anticipating close to a sellout and I know our guys are going to be super excited to play for the first time in the new Welsh-Ryan Arena. I think it will be a great opportunity for us to see where we're at heading into the New Orleans game."
—Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on the value of this exhibition
"It's really nice to be home … Now that we're back at home, you guys are going to be blown away by the new facility. It's an amazing place, but not only is it beautiful with all the bells and whistles that new construction brings but we feel like we really captured what we really wanted to do with the building, to make it a really tough place to play for opposing teams. It's a smaller venue, every seat is right on top of the court. The students will have prime seats, right in the end zones, right on top of the action. We think it's going to be a loud, very raucous building that hopefully is going to give us a home-court advantage this year."
—Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on the new arena
"Just a winning culture. Just to make sure that they know Northwestern is a program for winners. That's what we're trying to build here and what we've been trying to build for my last four years here. Just that winner culture, just making sure that the program is in good shape when I leave."
—Senior Dererk Pardon on what he wants to impart before he leaves
"He definitely spreads the floor. I think he's a really good shooter and he's confident in his shot. Ryan Taylor will definitely add a different dimension to our offense with the way he's able to shoot the ball and create plays for himself. Just having him as another floor spacer will be good to opening up lanes for drivers like me and Anthony [Gaines]."
—Senior Vic Law on what graduate transfer Ryan Taylor brings
"I'd say this year, just from watching film last year, a lot of things were off the ball screen, where we're doing things off the 'get-action.' So just passing to the big and coming off of screens that way without having the ball in our hands most of the time. That's the big difference."
—Graduate transfer Ryan Taylor on how the offense has changed from last year
"We have to view it like a real game. There's so much uncertainty, there's so much new. New rotations, new system, new guys in different toles, six news players. I have to start trying to put some pieces together, put different lineups together, see who plays well. You could potentially see me start a different lineup in the second half than you see me start in the first half … I think there's value playing in front of fans. Especially with a new arena, I think it will be a little extra special Friday night. Hoping the students come out. I know they're anticipating close to a sellout and I know our guys are going to be super excited to play for the first time in the new Welsh-Ryan Arena. I think it will be a great opportunity for us to see where we're at heading into the New Orleans game."
—Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on the value of this exhibition
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