March 17, 2002

Recap| Box Score| Photo Gallery

Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan's opening statement:
"I told the players that I was extremely proud of the season that they've had, the commitment that they made, and what they've done for the season. I always tell the guys that I never worry at the end of the game about the numbers...I'm just concerned about how they're playing at the end. There were 3 or 4 loose balls that our guys laid flat out for, they kept hustling, so you just play through the tough times. There aren't too many teams that don't go through during the season where you get these kinds of games...When you're away from home, you really don't have anybody to help pick you up as much, I think we were a little bit outnumbered that way. And once we came down, we came down hard."

Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan on Maryland's defense:
"Whenever you smell blood, it just comes in bunches. Once you get 1 turnover, 2 turnovers, the scoring becomes a little easier...It's something that becomes tougher because they believe in it more, you're on a downer as a player bringing the ball in because they've scored on you. It's just an emotional thing that takes its toll...It was very difficult for us to get re-energized after their one big explosion."

Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan on the tournament set-up:
"I'm not particularly in favor of it. If it was in Milwaukee...and we're there, you can ask me then. This is quite an experience for our young guys. The way I put it in our locker room was, 'This might have been the toughest situation in the country in the NCAA tournament. You got to play in it, when you get to play in it again, get ready."

Wisconsin senior guard Travon Davis on Maryland:
"I think it is real hard when you look across the country and you have a team that has a front line that they can take two 6'10" guys out and replace them with two more 6'10" or 6'11" guys. They are very impressive and they have a lot of guys that can score points."

Wisconsin senior guard Travon Davis on Juan Dixon:
"Juan is a phenomenal two-guard. He can do it all. His decision making was real impressive. He knew when to shoot the ball and when not to force it. As Juan goes I think these Maryland Terrapins will go."

Wisconsin senior forward Charlie Wills on Maryland:
"Monstrous. Their inside-outside game is phenomenal. They are very explosive and can pour it on very quickly. They are a great team and I think they can take this all the way."

Wisconsin senior forward Charlie Wills on Maryland's defense:
"We knew it was going to be a very tough inside-outside game. Just like the last game, you couldn't focus on just one player. They are very well-rounded and anytime a team is explosive enough, they can take over the game. We knew they had a very solid defensive game."