Colorado University Athletics
Colorado-Utah State Quotes
November 26, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller
General
“I can tell you we are a lot happier tonight than last night. They really bounced back. They got off to a great start and opened things up for Jasmina (Ilic). I thought she really responded. I thought Lauren (Lubin) came in, in Whitney's absence and had a great game. As I have said before we have had several great individual performances but I think tonight we had a solid team performance tonight. What doesn't show in the stats is Jackie's (McFarland) leadership. She is getting better at communicating out there. Her composure was better and she didn't get frustrated.”
On today's importance
“All wins are important. For us to have to play until midnight last night and come back today was really tough. I think overall this win was significant.”
On status of senior guard Whitney Law
“She has a severe ankle sprain. I think she was playing on a lot of adrenaline last night. She is the type of player who will be day-to-day. She will be probable for Wednesday's game. She really wants to be out there.”
On sophomore guard Lauren Lubin
“When we were practicing for today I called for a scout team and she immediately pulled herself off. I think she knew she was going to start today.”
On combination of players
“If you were to ask me in September, I never would have foreseen this combo of players. I think we will be forced into these situations with hurt players and foul trouble. I think it is hard for us to play as well with these unexpected combinations. It is a challenge as a coach and for the players.”
Utah State Head Coach Raegan Pebley
General
“The theme of the tournament for us was that we had slow starts. We've got to be able to fix that and come out more aggressive in the beginning of the game. We have to be the first to throw the punch. We played even with them after the first ten minutes but we just dug ourselves too deep of a hole at the beginning of the game to beat them.”
Positives that can be taken from tournament
“The Big 10 and the Big 12 are two of the best conferences in the country and for thirty minutes we stuck with both teams. That says a lot in terms of positives. I was also pleased with the way our kids off of the bench played and performed. We're going to go back and look back at the tapes and see how we can come out a little more aggressively.”
On coaching against her old team
“We were just playing against another opponent. We weren't playing against my old teammates. We were just playing against a whole different team.”
Colorado Players
Sophomore guard Lauren Lubin
On her 13 rebounds
“When one of us goes down, everyone has to step up, no matter who you are. Their guards, especially in the triangle offense, didn't crash the boards so I tried to get my way in there and body up.”
Sophomore forward Jackie McFarland
On the win today
“I think it was definitely a boost of confidence especially with all of the young players on our team. We needed it mentally. I think we will come back this week and have some good practices and play well against Colorado State."
Junior forward Jasmina Ilic
On open shots
“It was easier (tonight) than the last to get open and get some good looks at the basket. When shots aren't falling, lay-ups need to go in. So I was just driving to the basket and getting myself in position to make a play.”
