University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn completes undefeated regular season, 82-53 against USF - Quotes
2/26/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery 1 
| Photo Gallery (USATSI) | Photo Gallery 3
UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
Geno on 10th undefeated regular season
"10 undefeated regular seasons. I guess that they're hard to do otherwise more people would do it an I want to say we still celebrate and appreciate what were doing but its one of those things that doesn't register until after. After you look back and go I cant believe we've done it again...sometimes we get so fixated on what the next 9 games look like and even more importantly the 6 after these 3."
Impact Kia has had on the team
"From the time that she walked on campus Kia has been an amazing competitor and it started in the first couple workouts and she didn't start the first couple games of our season her freshman year and we lost one of them and she has only lost one since, I think, but she's an unbelievable competitor that is the best way I can describe it. Even when she didn't know what she was doing, she was probably scared out of her wits and played amazing. It has been that way ever since.
What changed most about Gabby
"And Gabby that was one of those, kids a great player in high school and comes to the pros and never again plays the position he played in college. However, everything they did them in high school helped them in their new position. So its rare that you have a player that can do what Gabby can do around the basket and defensively that can handle and pass the ball the way she does it."
USF Head Coach Jose Fernandez
How do you think having to face UConn two and three times a year affects the perception of your team nationally and does that frustrate you?
"For us and our kids, it's great that they play the best team in the country. We embrace it. Because we are judged against UConn, people don't always look at how UConn does against Louisville, Notre Dame, UCLA and Texas. I think there is a familiarity there because we see them three times a year. I don't like how our program is judged nationally that way. Look at our losses. We lost by 10 to Notre Dame, we were up in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma, that's the only thing that bothers me."
What have they been able to do against Laska that others have not?
"I think he has one of the best defenders in the country in Kia Nurse, and I think his length bothers us. He's able to switch one through five and a lot of teams can't do that. Most teams only have one and for 40 minutes they wear that kid down. It's hard to wear down those other guys."
Where do you think your team is mentally heading into the tournament this weekend?
"Our goal is what it has been. We've got three runner up trophies in our conference room. Our goal is to win our first two games in the conference tournament and again play them on Tuesday night and compete for a conference championship."
How do you not let this game affect your play in Uncasville?
"You've got to have a short term memory. Our kids know that. We have a week to get ready. We need to get healthy. We had some very good wins last week against SMU and Houston. Up until this point we'd won nine in a row. We're in a good place."
On playing with Kia Nurse:
"It has been crazy. I think that our connection and chemistry has evolved so much and we just have so much fun together on the court and I think that's the best part about it."
On having her family at senior night:
"Yeah, the coolest part about it was having my family there. People don't realize, the people who were out there with me tonight, how much they've had an impact on my success here. That fact that the fans got to cheer for them tonight was really special for me."
Kia Nurse, G
On going undefeated in the regular season:
"Obviously for us we try to take each and every day and appreciate what we have, appreciate the opportunity that we have been given as a result of the people that have built this place and the coaching staff and what they do for us each and every day. At the same time we still have to focus on what is in front [us]."
On senior night:
"It was incredible. It was a great atmosphere to be apart of and I am so fortunate to be part of a program who does things like this to celebrate four years and the journey and the road that Gabby and I have been on and it's all the better when you get to do it with your best friend by your side through it all."
Katie Lou Samuelson, G/F
On Kia Nurse:
"As a leader, she is a person that she is so passionate about the game and she is so involved. We know we are going to get her best effort every game. She is so dialed into that and obviously, we will take some things from her and try and emulate that as well.
On Missippi State:
"Yeah they has had a great season and they are playing really great basketball they have a lot of weapons and a lot of people playing at their highest. I think they have a few seniors.. they have a couple of seniors who are really trying to finish out their year strong. If that game comes we will observe that when it happens and I am sure we will be excited to play and motivated. As I said before nothing is guaranteed and we know that after last year, so we know that and really aren't trying to look ahead at all."
