University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Post Game Quotes
11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2009
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Head Coach Geno Auriemma
On 28-0 run to open up the game and all five players scoring during that time:
"I think it's every coach's wish that the ball moves and people get involved and it's five-on-five instead of one-on-one and for us to start out the game like that, I thought, this early in the season, and it's pretty smooth. And it was I think even more than I would've expected at this early stage. I don't think anything was forced, I don't think anything was rushed, it was just a good - you know, we talked a lot going into the game about having a good tempo and having a good pace to the game. I thought we did exactly that."
On new season and the excitement of opening a new year:
"Basketball's supposed to be a fun game to play. It's been since April since we've really played. Their memories of the game were all great. Um, they're all anxious, I think, to kind of get started again, to see where it goes, you know. We don't know where it's going to end, but we know when it started - and that's today. We didn't know we were going to play 39 games last year. And we don't know how many games we're going to play this year. We know we're going to play 20-something, because that's what the schedule says, but we don't know when it's going to end. But you might as well start it the right way and have fun doing it, and I think we did that."
On Tina Charles reaching the 1,000-rebound plateau:
"Well, obviously the company that she's in speaks for itself. Probably two of the best players, not just rebounders that we've ever had here. Tina's probably the best offensive rebounder we've ever had because she takes a lot of shots in close that don't go in and she's able to get those back. So, those two - the other two - were not in that situation, so they got their rebounds a little bit differently. They got them at the other end. So, Tina's got 1,000-some. Maybe if we can get her to get more of them down at the other end, she could end up with 2,000. Who knows? But the company that she's in speaks for itself and um, she's been consistent, she's been healthy - knock on wood - and she's taken advantage of the opportunity that she's got and I'm happy for her."
On Heather Buck's performance:
"It's been a little bit of a rocky road there for Heather in the beginning because, um, the game is just so physical and so fast for her and she's just not accustomed to that. And yet, today, you know, it's got to start somewhere - so today on the defensive end, on the rebounding end, she was able to establish herself and do the things that you have to do to get started."
Junior Maya Moore
How did you feel about today's game?
"I am pretty pleased. I think it is an improvement from the last game. I thought we had a good week of practice and a great warm up which generated a lot of momentum and confidence which showed in our game today. We did a great job moving the ball around and Tina was dominant inside which sparked our game and allowed the rest of us to get opportunities to score."
Explain the feeling you have when the team starts the game to a 28-0 run?
"It's a mindset not just to get caught up by the score but just to go out every possession and get a defensive stop and turn that into a scoring opportunity. We had to remain calm until we had a timeout or heard the whistle and that is what we did. This type of mentality is the type we need to come out with every game and I am glad we did it in our home opener because hopefully it will set the tone for the rest of the season."
Senior Tina Charles
How did it feel to see the banner be unveiled and the final step of last year's season coming to an end?
" It felt great. I had a lot of emotion just like many of us did because it was the icing on the cake to see the banner unveiled. It symbolized how our team came together last season and was able to pull off our 39-0 record."
Redshirt Freshman Heather Buck
How important was it for you to come out today and get things done on the court?
"Today was the first game and I just wanted to play good defense and rebound so that I can prove to coach that I could do it and step up for the team."
Did you have to prove something to yourself this game? Coach said that you were not quite comfortable yet and were second guessing yourself; do you feel that after this game your doubts were put behind you?
"Not all of them, but it has helped me build more confidence. Going out and getting rebounds, taking care of the ball and doing other small things that are important during the game have helped me overall."
Head Coach Daynia La-Force Man
What would you say was the one element your team needed to do in order to make the game a bit more competitive?
I think we needed to box out. We gave up twenty offense rebounds to a team that shot over seventy-five percent. One of our goals coming into this game was to box out better and limit our opponent's second chances and I do not believe we did that tonight.
Could you have played the zone a little bit better today?
Yes, I think we could have played the zone a bit better today. We did a poor job getting back into the paint and it cost us against this team. Again, we did not box out well today and that is something you need to do well regardless of what defense you play.
Was this a nightmare playing the University of Connecticut?
It is never a nightmare playing against the University of Connecticut. I wanted my team to have a feel for this championship atmosphere and I think any coach who does not take the opportunity to do so is foolish.
Were you pleased with the three ball from you team tonight?
Yes, I was. We have plenty of quality three point shooters on our team. I think today we did learn though that we have to drive into the paint a bit better and make the defense collapse in order to get those better three point looks.
Do you think your team was a bit in awe that UConn jumped out to a twenty-eight to zero run?
I do not think that we were in awe because of that. We are not going to be the first team to lose to this program this year. I do not want my team thinking they are not a good team because they lost today. I think they were more shocked that we as a team did not execute well today.
Are you surprised that the University of Connecticut has come this far since you were recruited by them in 1991?
I can believe it. Coach Auriemma is a great coach and has built a great program here. He created a foundation where every freshman that walked into this program expected success themselves and did not have to have it forced upon them by the coaches. All the players have come to respect this rich program. This is something I am trying to create here at Northeastern University where I can just sit back and coach.
