Michigan State Senior PF Branden Dawson Talks Wolverines ahead of MSU vs UM Tuesday Night!

Branden Dawson: HOW HAS THIS RIVALRY EVOLVED FOR YOU AS A GUY FROM OUT OF STATE SINCE YOU GOT HERE? “From being here for four years, from coming in for my

Branden Dawson:

HOW HAS THIS RIVALRY EVOLVED FOR YOU AS A GUY FROM OUT OF STATE SINCE YOU GOT HERE?

“From being here for four years, from coming in for my first year, it’s definitely grown. Like I said, being an Indiana guy, coming in my freshman year, I didn’t really know too much about the Michigan State-Michigan rivalry, but being around Draymond Green, other great players. Austin (Thornton). It finally grew on me, so when we are getting ready to play Michigan, I was excited.”

GETTING A WIN THERE FOR THE FIRST TIME?

“It’s definitely important. Being that they beat us twice last year and I wasn’t able to play. Just to get a win down there would be definitely important. Last year, we came up short. I think we lost by like one point off a turnover. We came close and just to get a win down there would be good for this program and good for myself and Travis.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ATMOSPHERE THERE?

“It’s definitely going to be loud. That’s one of the arenas that they definitely get loud and since we beat them at home, the atmosphere is going to be great. It’s going to be an ESPN game. They are going to be ready to play and I think the atmosphere is definitely going to be great.”

BIGGER BECAUSE OF THIS SEASON AND NEED FOR A WIN OR BIGGER BECAUSE IT’S MICHIGAN?

“I think it’s bigger just because it’s Michigan and that Michigan-Michigan State rivalry. Like I said, it’s definitely grown on me since I’ve been here and coming in my freshman year. I think it’s definitely just because of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry, but we have to approach every game like it’s a rivalry game. I think if we do that – (FRED INTERRUPTS)

LOVE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS?

“We do. Coming to Michigan State, you live for playing in hostile environments like Crisler’s going to be tomorrow night. We are getting ready for these games. When we play in these games, we have to bring an energy and intensity and we are going to feed off their crowd.”

TALK WAS ABOUT GETTING YOU TO PLAY CONSISTENTLY, NOW YOU ARE. WHAT HAS CHANGED?

“Maturity does play a factor with just being consistent, but I would say my approach toward the game. Just how I prepare myself for a game the night before and just getting rest, doing the right things up until the game. I think if you take care of things off the court, it leads to on the court.”

FIRST TIME, ABDUR RAHKMAN TOOK YOU BY SURPRISE. CONTAIN HIM NOW?

“I would say we were definitely surprised by him coming out from the start he had. We were focused on a few other guys. He came out hot. I would say tomorrow night we are definitely going to be ready for him. He surprised us and the coaches. We have to do a better job of containing him. Coach D.J., he talked about it a lot. We just have to guard the ball better.”