Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Arkansas-Pine Bluff Quotes
December 02, 2008 | Women's Basketball
Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller
Opening Statement
“Leading up to this game, we talked about the areas that we needed to improve. First and foremost was the confidence that we had the ability to shoot and rebound. We didn't do that in the last couple of games, and the time we spent over the last few days, helped us get back on track. They were shaken a little bit after the last couple of games, and I think this team is a very solid team with a lot of weapons. We saw glimpses of what they can do. If it was mentally getting back on the same page, then they accomplished that tonight.”
On Midweek Focus
“More importantly, we spent more time focusing on ourselves than the opponents. We spent more time focusing on Colorado, and what Colorado needs to do and where we are and want to be. Finding our identity was important. There are times in the game of basketball that you need to focus on yourselves, and get healthy and get better and our mindset was what we needed to change. So we decided to do a self scouting report this week. I think it helped. They need to hear what they do well, and what I see everyday and why I believe in them. It was one of the best times spent on this team in the last 5 or 6 days. It was a way to express to them what they bring to this team.”
“Her numbers are getting better and better. Her floor game the other night was impressive. She had 8 assists, 4 steals, and 8 points in 22 minutes, but what is not seen in the box score is the pressure she puts on our opponents. I will take youth any day coupled with good leadership.”
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Head Coach Danny Evans
General
“They were big. That was probably one of the biggest things about it. We didn't box out well. They were able to come over the top. Second half we kind of got more under control. Arica Green started hitting some shots that she normally makes. But they got so far ahead in the first half, and that kind of told the tale of the game. They're a real good team, they hustle real well.”
On Colorado's Height
“We couldn't overcome that. We didn't box out away from the basket enough. We really played into their hands. I don't know how many offensive rebounds they had, maybe 15 or so, but that was the tale of the game right there. We were outrebounded, they were just too big. We obviously had some difficulty shooting over them as well, so that was also tough. They have to be that big to play in their league. We're more the average type kids.”
On Playing a Big 12 Team
“It will help us because it gets us to play up. When you're young and little you want to play up, and that's what we do to try and get ready for our league where we won't face kids that tall. That's always good for them. They get a chance to see Colorado, thanks to the Colorado staff for bringing us here. We enjoyed the stay. Quality act.”
On Team's Pressure Defense
“We got a few steals. That's kind of how we play a little bit, we can get up on people. Obviously they're so big that they just hold the ball over the top of them. We do get after people, I think the one kid that came in and played for us, [Nneka] Louison, played a good game. And LaQuisha Slaton, they both pressured the ball well. There were some good signs of that in the second half for sure. We got some steals and got some baskets. It's always the height that will kill us, we can't control them inside”
