University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn-Louisiana Tech Postgame Notes & Quotes
3/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Connecticut
Uconn Coach Geno Auriemma
"Anytime you lose two first-team All-Americans, you better replace with them some one really, really good. I knew we were ok. I knew who we had left. As long as we have those two guys (Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi) in the backcourt handling the ball, we’re going to ok."
"I watched her play a lot when she was a kid in high school. I think Sue (Bird) is right, she is a special kid. But, she has all the intangibles. The game of women’s basketball has not seen a player her size who can shoot the ball like she does. I put a lot of pressure on her when I said she was the best freshman I ever recruited."
"In some ways Sue has been our leader since last year. Svet and Shea are such strong personalities that is was hard for someone else to come forward. But when something needed to be said in the huddle, it was Sue. When the right thing needed to be said, Sue said it."
Uconn Guard Sue Bird
"’D’ is really something special. She played well and made big plays look easy. I’m definitely glad she’s on my team."
On Emotion and knowing the game was in hand…
"There were a few plays tonight where I knew Tech wouldn’t be able to recover. When Diana (Taurasi) made two straight three-pointers, that put the nail in the coffin for Tech. I know if I was on the other team, that’d be the ballgame. With five minutes left, I knew we’d win no matter what."
Uconn Guard Diana Taurasi
"I’m just speechless. It’s an awesome feeling and this whole Tournament has been a lot of fun. I have great teammates and great coaches around me. I’ve never been to a Final Four, so I am really excited."
Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech Coach Leon Barmore
"I am really sincere about this statement. This team accomplished more than any team I’ve coached at Louisiana Tech, ever. National Championships and whatever and I appreciate that, but I know what this team has accomplished to get into the final eight, one game away from the final four. As for Connecticut, it’s pretty obvious to me that if they handle their business they are going to be national champions."
"She’s tremendous. We know there is no one in the nation on the perimeter that is better. We did let her free up and make some shots. She is truly one of the best I’ve seen at that age."
"I would have liked her (Brooke Lassiter) to get more than three shots. She’s not going to beat you off the dribble. Our problem all year was, are we going to score enough points? Defensively we’ve gotten better all year. Offensively we have to get better handling the basketball. Offensively, if this team improves as much as they have defensively, you’ll see Louisiana Tech here next year."
Louisiana Tech Guard Brooke Lassiter
"She played great in this whole tournament. She knocked down shots and hit two big three-pointers for them. She’s just an exceptional player and she’s only going to get better."
NOTEBOOK
Items of note from Connecticut’s 67-48 victory over Louisiana Tech in the East Regional Finals.
Packing them In //The regional final between Connecticut and Louisiana Tech drew an East Regional Record 9,397 fans.
Survival of the Fittest//Defending Champion and No. 1 ranked Connecticut rolled through the what most considered the toughest regional en route to their Fifth Final Four. Connecticut, despite the loss of two All-Americans, defeated NC State by 14 points in the Regional Semifinals and then topped Louisiana Tech by 19 points in the Regional Finals. "The tough region made our guys more determined," said Uconn Coach Geno Auriemma. "The only person that doubted these guys is me, and I am allowed to doubt."
Stifling Defense//Connecticut shut down Louisiana Tech stars Brooke Lassiter and Takeisha Lewis. Combined Lassiter and Lewis scored 14 points on 5 of 18 shooting. In the regional semifinal win, the duo combined for 52 points on 18 of 29 shooting.
Who Let the Dawgs Out?//The No. 1 ranked Uconn Huskies are making their fifth trip to the Final Four and are looking to defend their National Championship of a year ago. Connecticut now 32-2 carries a 35-10 record all-time in the NCAA Tournament and the Huskies have won two national titles.
All-East Regional Team//Most Outstanding Player
Diana Taurasi, FR, G, 6-0, Connecticut
All Regional Team
Sue Bird, JR, G, 5-9, Connecticut
Takeisha Lewis, JR, C, 6-2, Louisiana Tech
Tynesha Lewis, SR, G, 5-10 North Carolina State
Swin Cash, JR, F, 6-2 Connecticut
