Colorado University Athletics
CU-UCCS Quotes
November 03, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller
General
“I thought this was a really good challenge for us at this point at the beginning of the season. We have had very few practices so I am still learning a great deal about this team. Trying to play 14 or 15 players in this short amount of time led to some lapses that we were not extremely happy with but overall as far as rebounding, shot selection and taking care of the basketball I was pretty pleased.”
On G Susie Powers
“I thought she really took care of the basketball, probably the best she has done since she has been here. She had some moments last year in practice where she really executed and did the things that we needed her to do. She is the type of player that needs to feel very comfortable with what we are doing and when she does, she is stellar at it.”
On the Second Half
“You always want to improve from your first half to your second half. I think they called it a little tighter in the second half, which made our players a little more tentative because we got five fouls in the first two minutes. I thought they weren't as aggressive as they were in the first half. I thought our players expectations changed a little bit and they weren't as hungry to start the second half and that concerned me. I think we need to get out a little bit sooner and get a little bit more focused at the half.”
On Aija Putnina
“I think that she might be our most versatile player, offensively. I think the defense will come. She's going to be able to play the three, as well as the four. She plays well with who ever is on the floor. She can put it on the floor, she can go by people, she uses her body well, she can face up and she is going to be a key for offense.”
Colorado
ON?“I think it helped to sit out last year and watch Jackie (McFarland) play. I have a better idea of where she wants the ball in the high post.”
ON?“It felt good to get back out there and play against someone other than Jackie all the time.”
ON?“Going into the game I was really excited to get back in there, after red shirting last year there was a lot of build up to get out there. I was excited to go out there and play with the great players and coaches I am surrounded by.”
ON WHITNEY HOUSTON?“It is hard for a frosh to come in, especially for a point guard. Just like a quarterback in football, you are leading the offense. She came in and played well, and that goes for all the freshman.”
ON IMPROVEMENTS FOR SUNDAY?“For Sunday, turnovers will be a main focus, more than anything, unforced turnovers. The freshman came in and got used to playing with everyone, as opposed to playing with only half the team in practice, and playing against other players.”
UCCS Head Coach Jessika Stratton
General
“I feel like we couldn't have shot worse in the first half. CU is a great team with great players that will definitely be a major threat in the Big 12. Our players played well though, and that's all that you can ask.”
On Outstanding Players
“McFarland is a pretty tremendous player who can score when she is fouled, which is very difficult to do, but everyone played hard.”
On Playing a Division I School
I think it is great preparation to come open up with a Division I school. We will be playing the fourth ranked Division II school- if we can compete with Division I, than we can compete with Division II.”
UCCS Players
SO., F, Nancy Hoist
General
“I thought we did really well. Our coach told us that we had nothing to lose, it's our first game. We went out and competed. This game was a really good basis to work from.”
On Outstanding Players
“On our team, Emily Jenkins played really well and got us going. Our point guards also handled the ball really well. On
