Colorado Women's Basketball Media Day Quotes - University of Colorado Athletics

The University of Colorado held its annual Basketball Media Day on Wednesday. Second-year head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller and her Buffaloes will play a pair of exhibition games next week in preparation for the regular season opener against the University of San Francisco on Friday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Coors Events Conference Center. The game against USF will be the first of a women's-men's doubleheader as the CU men take on the University of Denver at 8:30 p.m. Both contests will be televised live on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain.

Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller

On coaching staff additions
“There are a lot of changes in our program, all for the better. It has been an exciting start, in particular with my staff. Coach [Bethann Shapiro] Ord has been with me the longest?one year at the University of Pittsburgh and six years at the University of Tulsa. She is starting just her second year with us here. Coach [Aisha] Veasley four years with me at the University of Tulsa. She is also returning for another year here. Coach Morrow?I’ve said this so many times: the best compliment you an pay to your head coach is to want t work with them, and to have Carla [Morrow] here after playing for me for four years at Tulsa and knowing that she has had other opportunities to go elsewhere is [great]. Finally, the addition to our staff who is obviously very dear to me in a personal and professional way is my oldest brother [Tom McConnell]. He is the oldest of the eight of us. I know it’s a little unorthodox to have a family member on your staff, but when you have somebody as good as him and as experienced as him and has taught me so much about playing the game?to be side-by-side with him at this juncture of my career is a blessing and we’re definitely happy to have him with us.”

On Junior Guard Susie Powers

“Susie is obviously returning to her native state of Colorado. She has been just a blessing to coach this past year. To finally get her on the court and watch what she does in the game?to bring her back here and expose her to the state o Colorado again. I think you are going to see two great years from an incredible player and you are going to see a lot of changes in our program as a result of having Susie here.”

On Freshman Guard Bianca Smith

“Bianca Smith decided to play with us at the University of Tulsa. When the coaching change was made here and I accepted the position, Bianca was obviously one that I called immediately. I told her of the change and at that moment she expressed a strong desire to continue to play for our staff. I was happy then but I’m even happier now because of what she brings to this program in every aspect. She’s a great recruiter and an incredible player.”

On level of improvement after a year

“I think the returnees are comfortable. The incoming freshmen, they are so different. It has been really day-to-day with them. When you have so many new players there are just so many changes. First of all with our system, with the addition of Coach McConnell and some defensive philosophies, with returnees like Kara Richards who obviously have the expectations to come in and make the changes right away as far as our post play and the addition of two transfers and four incoming freshmen...The change is good, it’s very exciting for us. But I do have to credit the returning players from the changes in improvements from last year to this year. There is no doubt that our newcomers and our freshmen are going to make us better.”

On how things will look different on the court

“We talked a great deal last year about the tempo that we wanted to play at against certain teams and I think you are going to see more consistency with the tempo. You are going to see a lot of differences in the defense and our objectives as far as not allowing certain things. On the offensive end, last year I thought we had only two scoring threats?[junior forward] Jackie McFarland and [senior guard/forward] Jasmina Ilic. This year there is no doubt that the five players that we are going to have on the floor, they can all score at any point within our offense. Last year we were very limited and those that have followed us very closely know that we have to change the offense going into the conference because of adjustments we had to make due to our opponents. You are going to see a far more balanced scoring attack, you are going to see Jackie McFarland more at her natural position...The changes are good but I still don’t think we are where we need to be at this point.”

On whether more time has been spent working on the defense

“When you break down the practice schedule I would say two-thirds of it has been focusing on defense, whether it’s transition defense, rebounding or the change in the philosophy.”

On whether there is a specific goal set for a number of wins

“No. We talk every day about improving from last season, where we are and where we want to be. We feel confident because we do have a lot of home games, so with the new players, keeping them at home and in the comfort of their on beds?that’s definitely going to help. I think if I said to this team I expect them to win 15 games, I think they would laugh at me. When these players step on the floor they expect to win. If we resigned ourselves to the fact that we’ve improved just a little bit, that’s not the type of player I want in the program and that’s not the type of player we have in the program.

On whether she is more comfortable a year after replacing former coach Ceal Barry

“I’ve always felt comfortable in my position with the utmost respect for Ceal Barry. I think those that are around the program have known that I’ve utilized her as a very strong resource in so many ways. There is a strong comfort level. She has embraced myself, my staff and my family with pen arms and I have great respect for what she has done. I’m never looking over my shoulder. The comfort is in the fact that I know Boulder a little bit better and I know the university a little bit better, the conference, our opponents and my players.”

On the status of Junior Center Kara Richards

“She is completely ready to go, but when I sat here last year at this point she was completely ready to go too. Anything could happen, the difference this year is we have greater depth at just about every position.”

Sophomore Forward Caley Dow

On incoming players
“I think they came in knowing what they were getting themselves into. Its one of those situations where we do have a strong unity within our team, so bringing them in has kind of been difficult because we are such a close team. But with that comes the responsibility of bringing along the freshmen. I think the fact that they came out in July and June and started working out with us really helped in acclimating them with the program and the players. Really they are just like every other person on the team.”

On improving scoring and rebounding this year

“That is definitely my goal. I had a good talk with coach (Kathy McConnel-Miller) after the season and I was definitely looking to enhance my scoring and rebounding. I really look to improve on that this year.”

On this year’s team

“I think what you are going to see from us on the court is the most exciting. Like coach (McConnel-Miller) said, we’re not going to guarantee a number of wins, but at the same time, we expect to win. This isn’t a team that is going to go out there and just try to improve on last season, maybe win a few more games, we expect to go out there and win. We have that attitude about us that when we come into practice every day, we are ready to work. It is an exciting time to be a Buffalo, we’re are on the way up and building something new every day. The most exciting thing for me is just to be a part of this program.”

Junior Guard Susie Powers

On transferring to Colorado

“I came back to my home state and followed the staff here who, prior to committing to a school, recruited me to the University of Tulsa, so I had prior relations with them. When I saw that they were moving back to my home state, I saw it as a second opportunity for me individually to get a fresh start at a new University.”

“I think this was ideal, coming into a new program and being able to red shirt my first year. Getting to know the staff and getting to know my weaknesses, I got the year to rebuild my confidence and it was perfect.”

On Notre Dame

“I had a good experience there, I failed to make things work. I didn’t elevate my game to the next level. IT was really me personally, I had a great experience and good relationships there but I needed a fresh start.”

“Going into Notre Dame, it was my dream school. I had a lot of hope to make a big impact and get a lot of playing time, when that didn’t happen I felt so withdrawn from the team and program. Basketball is such a big part of my life, and going to Notre Dame, it wasn’t. I felt like a big part of me was lacking and I wanted it back and wanted to start back in my home state.”

On Red Shirt year

“When I first came to this program, I thought I was at an ultimate low, confidence wise. Thanks to the staff here, especially coach Miller, I was able to get in a lot of repetitions and build my game in a red shirt season. My confidence elevated throughout the year and I feel like I improved my game and am confident going into the season. It was a number of things. Getting to get bigger and stronger in the weight room was a big thing. Also, in practice, not having the pressure to perform in a game, you don’t carry around a lot of the stress that the other players have. You can really focus on what you need to get better at.”

Freshman Guard Bianca Smith

On following Coach McConnel-Miller to Colorado

“I just love her coaching style, the way she likes to play and getting the ball up the floor. I love the persistence. I didn’t want to play for anyone else.”