Quotables: Northwestern Hosts Georgia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

EVANSTON, Ill. — Coming off a 2-1 showing in the Wooden Legacy (Nov. 22-25) in Fullerton, California, Northwestern hosts Georgia Tech as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge before starting conference play on Saturday, Dec. 1. Read what the Wildcats are saying in advance of their big week...
 

"I always tell our guys, "Everyone always wants to do something in March" but, a lot of times you don't realize that the games you have in November can help you get to that point. For us to get the opportunity to play and get a win against a good Pac-12 team is huge for our program."

- Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins, after NU beat Utah, on the importance of early non-conference games.

"Defense has to be our calling-card with this team. We have good length with tall guards and an active big-man [Pardon]. I think we can be a team that forces many deflections and turnovers with our activity, and we did that at a high level today forcing 21 turnovers."

- Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on the Northwestern's defensive effort.

"Pardon has worked really hard to be a better shooter and make the top of the key three-pointer. With the way we are running our offense, we have tall guards and wings who we want to post up. In order to do that, your big man [Pardon] has to be able to step out and make shots. For him to knock one down, it will give him and our offense confidence going forward."

- Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on Dererk Pardon on making his first-career three pointer.
 

"We were tested against Fresno State and we had to confront whether we were going to bounce back or go 0-3 the rest of the tournament. I think we responded really well with two wins and now we are looking to attack our next opponent the same way."

- Anthony Gaines on Northwestern going 2-1 at the Wooden Legacy.