University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn vs. Syracuse Post Game Quotes (February 28, 2011)
2/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 28, 2011
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UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
Were you pleased with the way tonight went?
"Yeah. I thought it was pretty interesting. We had a little different look to us. I think we got some things out of the way since Saturday and I'm just glad that everybody contributed a little bit. It was just everybody standing around waiting for somebody to do something great every possession. It was really good. We got pretty good games from just about everybody, and on a night like tonight when there was all that feel good stuff going on, you want it to be like that, and it was. It's what makes nights like this special, when you can play like that and enjoy it."
You have had games where the emotion overcomes the team. Is it just the makeup of this team that made tonight different?
"You've got 12, 13, 14 players over there and they are all like `Ahh,' but we've only got seven or eight of them. These guys, they aren't very effected by anything. I think they took their cue from Maya and Lorin. Maya is not one to show a lot of emotion, and Lorin had her moments out there. This team pretty much doesn't get affected by things. I'm surprised. They stay pretty even-keeled and I think that allows us to do what we do. When you saw the scores of some of the other games tonight, it makes you wonder. It makes you really appreciate that generally speaking, we don't do that stuff."
Did the quick start settle the team down too?
"I was worried that you come out and try too hard early on, and I was worried that Maya would come out and try too hard to be spectacular on Senior Night. We were in a pretty good rhythm, a pretty good tempo for the most part. Lorin gave us a huge spark and made some huge plays, and everyone fed off each other. We've got three guys that still watch Maya and Tiffany, and when Maya and Tiffany get off and running like they were today, it makes everybody feel good. It makes everybody comfortable and makes everybody calm down and gives them a lot of confidence."
Was tonight's performance for Lorin Dixon kind of like a dream performance for on a night like tonight?
"These last two weeks have been unbelievable. She's gotten more done in the last two weeks than she has in the four previous years combined, and it shows. Whatever it is that you want to get done, mentally, physically, whatever, she's been able to do it in practice for two weeks now. She generally hasn't been able to do that and that's why she struggled in games. Tonight was just a reflection of what's been happening in practice these last two weeks."
Do you have any emotion on nights like tonight?
"Because it's not the last home game, I don't. In all the years when we've had NCAA Tournament games here in Connecticut, for me it comes out then when I know it's the absolute end. We're not quite there yet. We've still got some stuff to do."
UConn Players
Maya Moore
On what senior night was like for her:
"I'm just really happy of the way my team played. All of the stuff surrounding the game I think you can enjoy it more when the actual game goes well. We played outstanding and it's kind of a mixed day because you want to play and be ready and focused for the game, but you want to enjoy all the emotions that come with having a senior night. I'm really happy with the way we played. I'm glad that all the people who've been important in my life the last three years and even since I was a little kid, my family being here, my teammates being here. I got to hear from Tina (Charles) and former players. I'm really thankful the way we helped our seniors go out, that we were able to enjoy our senior night."
On her emotions before the game:
"Yeah I might have lost it a bit behind those daisies. I don't even know what triggered it - maybe hearing all the stuff laid out there I don't think about it. The accomplishments or a lot of the history - it's something that I don't think about a lot during the season. But to have it all said at once, it's kind of overwhelming. To think that I've been given so many opportunities and that I've been a part of such a special group that I was able to reach my potential in so many areas. Our team was able to reach marks that nobody could have predicted. I think it started too when she (Lorin Dixon) started crying and then I started crying."
On her grandfather being there:
"He made this night. I was lovin' it. I was happy. I know it was our senior night, but he was the happiest one in the building. I love seeing a smile on his face. I know even if I wasn't here and I was doing something else, he'd be just as proud. He loves me unconditionally. I'm just really glad that he was able to be here and see it and be a part of it and enjoy it. I know he'll never forget it. He's brought so much joy to people around here. I get a lot of the way that I treat people - I had a great example from him. He's somebody that will go out of his way. He'll give you the shirt right off of his back. He'll make sure you feel welcomed and comfortable and included. I know when I do that, it makes him proud. I feel like I'm just being like him whenever I try to do the same thing. He had a blast. I hope I can see some of the pictures taken of him this time. He's usually the one taking pictures.
On what coach said to them (her and Lorin) when they embraced before the game:
"He was just saying to enjoy this. That senior year is when you are seeing all the fruits of your labor. That's the moment he wanted to make sure we were embracing. It was special."
On being enshrined in the Huskies of Honor before the game:
"It's kind of hard to describe. I think it's kind of like when I was on the World Championship team. I looked up to them all like I was the little kid. I was just trying to follow the footsteps and be a part and learn from all the pro's that I was around. I view the women up there as big sisters. The rich history that they've created here, I just want to make them proud the rest of the season here. When I'm done playing here, I'll be able to maybe have a different feeling about it. Since I'm still playing, I want to make sure that I continue to represent well and do the things that they did to be great and to continue to do the things I'm doing."
On managing senior night with having to play a game:
"I think with everything surrounding today, you have to put it behind you for 40 minutes in the game. Even though she was crying and all that, Maya still told us we had a game to play. We had to go out there and get ready and it's something I definitely listened to her about."
On why things are coming together so well now:
"It's the end of my season. I think it's more just wanting to be there for my team and give them 100-percent and just coming out with more confidence than I've ever had my four years here. Putting that all together, I just wanted to come out on a good note. I've been playing a lot better than I have in the past."
Syracuse Head Coach Quentin Hillsman
Opening Statement:
"Obviously we are never happy with a loss, I thought that we came out competing and we were playing hard. Obviously they are the number one team in the country for a reason, they played like it tonight. They shot 60% from the field and it felt like 80%. You have to give them a lot of credit. We came here to win and obviously we ran into a team that is very, very hot and a very, very good team. Geno does a great job of getting them ready to play no matter who the opponent is. Their best players played very well tonight."
Do you just scrape a game like this and move onto Saturday now?
"We don't scrape too many losses, that's not how we work. We wanted to come out and play hard and win the basketball game, but you do need to move on. We need to go back and really look at some things, because if we want to compete and play well in the tournament we need to find a way to play better in these kinds of games."
Can you talk about the BIG EAST Conference?
"It is an unbelievable conference, it is the best conference in the country. Before the game Geno and I talked about how we go into conference games and we beat each other up and if you are in the 20th range of being ranked you are just going to have to go out and play hard. We don't lose too many games out of our conference so the BIG EAST is very tough."
What was UConn doing that caused problems during the first half with turnovers?
"We had 11 turnovers in the first half and I was pretty pleased with that. We came out in the second half and had only six turnovers. I don't think the turnovers were the problem I think it was more so that we didn't make shots. We did a good job of getting the ball inside, and did well with that tonight."
How have you seen Stefanie Dolson improve?
"I knew she would get better because she is a great basketball player. Geno is going to get her to play hard and she is a very skilled player. It was a tough scout for us with her she can do a lot for them. Obviously she is a tough player and I hope that our players can progress as fast as she has."
Do you think a lack of depth with hurt them in the post season at all?
"No. Their six players are better than most six players in the country. The only thing that can hurt them is if three of them get in foul trouble and that won't happen because they are too good of a defensive basketball team."
Would you put UConn among the favorite of the teams to win the tournament?
"Yes I would. During tournament play I think it comes down to who has the best player and Geno has the best player. When you get in to these tournament games there are going to be some close games and nobody is going to be able to stop Maya. And that is the key when you look at good basketball teams."
