Colorado University Athletics
Austin Peay Press Conference Quotes, 3/21/2003
March 21, 2003
BOULDER -
Austin Peay Head Coach Susie Gardner
GENERAL: "This is our third NCAA Tournament, and I always enjoy going to parts of the country that don't know a lot about Austin Peay. We've had an exceptional year. This is the best team that has ever played at Austin Peay. We are thrilled to be here with a great group of three other teams - North Carolina, BYU, and Colorado."
ON PAIGE SMITH: "Paige Smith is our heart and soul. Her stats don't shine like other players, but she is the heart and soul of this team."
ON RECOGNITION: "People back home know and appreciate what we are doing. It's not like we're trying to make a name for ourselves. These guys right here are the pride and joy of Clarksville."
ON NORTH CAROLINA: "I have compared them to some of the teams in our conference. It is a blessing that we already played Vanderbilt. The thing that stands out is that they average 46 rebounds per game. I don't think we have ever got 46 in a game. They are a great rebounding team and certainly we will have to box out and rebound. (Our) players are confident. They believe in themselves and are prepared."
ON THE COLORADO ALTITUDE: "We have been drinking water ever since we saw the (NCAA) draw. We'll see how it plays out on the basketball floor."
ON THE TEAM'S FRESHMEN: "We knew the core we had coming back was solid. They were very mature and hard working. The freshmen we brought in are winners: they make it fun. You've got maturity on one side and then some fun on the other. We have about three (freshmen) that have stepped up to the challenge. This team has been amazing because they get along so well. We haven't had team turmoil, and that really has been a blessing."
Austin Peay Players
C Gerlonda Hardin
ON N.C. CENTER CANDACE SUTTON: "I just expect to see a post player. I have been up against post players taller than me before. I don't expect anything different between her and (Tennessee center) Chantel (Anderson). For me, I just need to step up and play defense. I think I played great defense on (Anderson). That's what I'm expecting to do tomorrow. I just get psyched to play. I take it one game at a time and go out and play."
ON GOALS: "Our main goal first this year was to win conference itself, and then go on to win the tournament. That's been our main goal."
ON PREPARATION: "I get psyched to play every game. I just take it one game at a time."
G Brooke Armistead
ON DIFFERENCES FROM FRESHMAN YEAR: "We came in as freshmen and the expectations were not high. Now we are always expected to win."
ON THE TOURNAMENT: "We have played in the tournament for three years. We just need to stay calm and stay in the game. WE want to have fun like we have all year long."
ON DEFENSE: "North Carolina is a good team. They are a lot more athletic. We just need to handle the ball and handle our turnovers. North Carolina is a very good rebounding team. We need to take care of the ball and watch for turnovers. We need to get down the floor early and stop the easy lay-ups. We have to come out ready to play."
G Paige Smith
ON DIFFERENCES FROM FRESHMAN YEAR: "Each year we have gotten better players and we've gotten better as a team. Each year we've stepped up and now we are where we are at."
ON EXPECTING TO WIN: "It was easier to win when we weren't expected to. It's always harder to stay on top, but we've managed to stay there."