Colorado University Athletics
Colorado-Colorado State Quotes
November 30, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller
GENERAL
“We turned the ball over 8 times, that's it. This particular team is probably one of the most exciting teams to coach, but at times the most challenging. We continue to get better, but somehow when we improve on one of the areas we are focusing on we lose something else. I attribute that to youth, only thing I disliked tonight were some of the ball handling decisions down the stretch.”
ON WINNING DESPITE POOR SHOOTING
“Well we hadn't (won) before. I think it is because we played very well on the defensive end. I think we scouted them very well; they didn't score on out of bounds plays or off screens like they did on film. We made a lot of mistakes but were able to overcome them because we played very well defensively. I thought that it was the fact that we held them to 18 field goals and didn't put them on the (free throw) line like we did in previous games.”
ON THE PLAY OF THE FRESHMAN
“I think that Aija (Putnina) is one of the best things to happen to Jackie (McFarland). She allows her to play her natural position and let her do the things that she is capable of doing. Jackie has had to carry this team on her back in the past with points and rebounds and now teams can't just focus on her because Aija can stretch the defense with her ability to shoot from three. Whitney (
ON THE SLOW START TO THE SECOND HALF
“I thought we were taking quick shots, not moving the ball and not doing what we had been doing all day. I was trying to find players who wouldn't be passive and that would get us going.”
ON AIJA PUTNINA
“The fact that Kara (Richards) got hurt and the way Aija responded is really going to help us when Kara gets back in January. We'll have a seasoned freshman going into Big 12 play. I know she hadn't played as well in the exhibition games, but you are all seeing now what we've been seeing everyday in practice.”
ON BEATING RIVAL
“I just think that these players love to play. Whether it is
Colorado
Jr., F, Jackie McFarland
On Missing First Ten Shots
“I thought that the way we were playing we should have been ahead, but we were down four. You do not always look at the score when you are playing, and you go with the flow of the games. I thought we were getting good shots and we only took a couple bad shots in those first ten. We weren't hitting them and they just weren't falling. Our defense was good so we weren't really worried about it.”
On Bianca Smith scoring the first points of the game
“She was a huge spark. She'll put the numbers up and she's not afraid to take shots. I don't think she plays with a lot of pressure, it was a nice spark off the bench.”
On CU's defense
“That was definitely a focus for us in our scouting report. We spent more than half the shoot around working on the ball screens and it is something we worked on in practice. Our defense is finally meshing together and all the freshmen are getting it.”
Fr. G, Whitney Houston
On putting away CSU
“It was frustrating at first because I am just used to us getting into our zone. Then we started scoring a little bit and got back on defense, we got a steal and started getting back into our game.”
On her comfort level
“I feel really comfortable, but it is still a learning process. On a few plays I turned it over, I just have to learn how to be patient and just pull out like coach tells me to and I will be o.k.”
Fr. G, Candace Rucker
On team improvement
“With every play we are improving, but there is still room for a lot of improvement. I know that I have too much improving to do.”
Colorado State
GENERAL
“We had inopportune turnovers. We had offensive fouls and those caused frustration. They were aggressive turnovers and we had them with purpose and with a fight. We had to go right at it. [When we were tied 33-33] we had to go right at it, and even though we lost the lead, we established the kind of game we needed.”
ON FR G EMILY NEAL
“She represents everyone in a way. She is my backup on a lot of positions. I can't keep her in a box because she has a versatile, deep style of play. She has made a 180 degree turnaround because of her mental character and performance.”
Colorado State
JR G Sara Hunter
GENERAL-“It was all of the travels and not letting go of the ball and mental mistakes. Our defense is going to be different, we can't let the other team dictate us. Neither team shot the ball that well. We tried to frustrate them and execute our defensive plan. We missed a lot of crucial stops. It's got to start on our defensive end.”
ON THE LOSS-“It hurts to lose no matter where you're at. It's a learning experience and we're going to be a better team after this game.”
FR F Juanise Cornell
GENERAL-“Their defense was rough. They're all such tall girls. We had to depend on our guards and they did a great job. We frustrated them on defense. On offense, we're getting more confident. We have really great shooters.”
