Marquette University Athletics
NCAA First Round Women's Quotes
3/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 16, 2007
Press Conference #3 -- Marquette
Friday, March 16, 2007
Austin Regional 1st & 2nd Round
Austin, Texas
Marquette Head Coach Terri Mitchell
(Opening comments):
"We are extremely excited to be playing again. It seems like forever since we were playing back in the Big East Tournament. We feel like the experiences that we've had over the last two years in the Big East have prepared us extremely well for any opponent that we're going to see in the NCAA tournament. We know it's going to be a great game against Louisiana-Lafayette and the kind of athleticism that they present is like many of the athletes, like I said, in our conference. We've had a great week of practice, a very hard physical and fun week, and I know that the players are just anxious for that ball to be thrown up in the air, so we can start playing."
(On seeing their experience in the tournament as an advantage over Louisiana-Lafayette in their first tourney appearance):
"No, I don't. We don't take it as an advantage. It's familiar to me as a head coach, it's familiar to our staff, we've been there, but on our present team, our seniors are the only ones who have experienced the tournament. When you look at this time of year, I think it's important to recognize that everyone's coming in, as Christina [Quaye] already stated, hungry ready for that next win. Our team knows that they are brand new, they know they haven't been there, we were brand new all those years ago when I was an assistant, and now as a head coach, it's our sixth time. We just want to keep capitalizing off of every experience."
(On this year being different in terms of not just going one game at a time as they did in the past):
"I think the quote you are referring to is the expectation of looking at two games and you know, in that quote, there is nothing in that quote that says that we are guaranteed a win. We have all the respect in the world for our opponent. I've watched several films on Louisiana-Lafayette and their athleticism and how they can break you down. We have a team that is very mature and understands that there is no Monday if you don't take care of business on Saturday.
We prepared all week for playing two games. A two-game tournament, we don't talk about six games, we don't talk about one game, we've talked about a two-game tournament all week long and that just works for this team. This group realizes that they could go home early and I don't think anyone is taking anything for granted. I think it's important when you look at the second-round and who you could possibly be playing, you have to be prepared for all scenarios. So, we've had an excellent week of practice in that regard, just focusing on both rounds, but you know, yesterday, today, all we've ever talked about is Louisiana-Lafayette."
(On Kelly Lam and her contribution to the team):
"Kelly's given us a big body in the paint that we really lacked, I mean Christina Quaye is so strong and physical, but Kelly Lamb just gives us more of the body that we need. As each game passes she gets more comfortable of being in that low block position, of being physical, just playing within herself and just giving us the size that we need. Because again, we may have some size on the perimeter, but on the inside we give up inches and we try to use our quickness and physical play, but she gives us the size on the inside."
(On Danielle Kamm's knee):
"Danielle is doing great, you know she was out of the starting line-up, and now she's just been practicing tremendously. This time of year we'd rather focus on the total team strength and minimize our weaknesses. I had every player come in and I told them exactly what I am looking for them to do. To start the week of practice, she listened and she's followed through in everything we've asked of her. I think she's as excited as I've ever seen her to play. We have four wonderful seniors who really get it, and they've led us in hard work this week.
I'm going to put this out there right now because this is not a surprise, this is not hiding anything, if you come into the open practice, you're going to see Christina Quaye with a facemask on, Efueko [Osagie-Landry] gave her a pretty good elbow on Tuesday, it was the last drill, the last thing that we were doing and for Christina's protection we put her in a mask. It has not taken away one second of her practicing or playing time, but I don't want anyone to think it's a big story line when it truly isn't. I really gives you an sample of what was going on at practice and how hard our team was going."
(On what impresses her about Louisiana-Lafayette):
"I think their ability to break you down on the dribble is most impressive. We all know about Jones and what she can do, and her double-doubles, but if you look at their team on film they're going to try to take you one-on-one. We have to be very aware of our close-outs and how we're approaching and how we're rotating. I'd love to say that we will never get beat, but you have to assume that we will get beat here and there, so we have talked a lot about rotation. I think the thing that follows up on their one-on-one ability is their rebound ability, even if they miss it doesn't seem as if anyone is too concerned because they jump up and get the rebound, giving themselves a second opportunity."
Christina Quaye (Senior, Forward)
(On being in the tournament):
"I think it's just a great opportunity for everyone to be in this situation. I was a part of the NCAA Tournament my freshman year. Krystal (Ellis) was not. It just shows that I guess I have an advantage of being in the postseason. I'm sure everybody is willing and able to go into postseason. At this time, it's just a great opportunity for everybody to play. I don't know if they're doing necessarily any specific things that would be an advantage, but at this time, I mean anyone can win. Everybody's hungry. Everybody's ready to get that next W. So it's a time where it's now or never, so I guess what it comes down to is the heart and determination of each team."
(On physicality of the Big East Conference):
"Well, I think it's good to play in the Big East Conference because every team is good there so it always helps in the Big East Conference to further yourself for the postseason. So playing in the Big East really helps, knowing that you're going to get better, knowing that you're going to face a good team and knowing that most of those teams will be in the NCAA Tournament so I believe that helps a lot."
