University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn-South Carolina Postgame Quotes
2/8/2021 11:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
On Paige Bueckers:
"It's been difficult in some games to see where we can help Paige be better. I think the most impressive thing about Paige is that she plays at the same pace the entire game. That usually comes a bit later for most players, but she's got it at such a young age. She makes the game slow down for her. I'm always surprised when she shoots and it doesn't go in."
On the young players' impact:
"There's something about what Nika [Muhl]'s doing that adds to the game. Aubrey [Griffin] will do ten things in the first fifteen seconds she's in the game. You want players to impact the game, and our young players definitely do that."
On the choppiness of the game:
"Today we were the Broad Street Bullies. It's easy to win the games that are fun and free-flowing. Tonight wasn't one of those games, but we have to win those games."
On the team's defensive efforts:
"We're getting better defensively, but there are things that we can't handle. When we really needed to get a stop, we got one, so that's a good sign."
Junior Forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa
On beating the No. 1 teams:
"It feels great especially with the energy of the game. We came out the way we were supposed to and that went all the way into overtime. So, it showed."
On keeping the energy with no fans:
"I think we were all locked in and on the same page, that's what it felt like the entire game. I think everyone really felt that even at times we had our dips here and there, but we really maintained composure tonight. That was the main thing that really drove us to a win."
On the team showing toughness:
"Definitely, guards and posts there were big matchups tonight. I think people were able to handle their jobs well and do the best they could especially just bringing out that extra layer of toughness that we know South Carolina usually plays with and that we know we're capable of. So that's just something we've been getting better at each game and especially our defensive effort and you could see that tonight."
Freshman Guard Paige Bueckers
On scoring the team's last 13 points:
"We were just struggling to score at certain points in time. It was just my teammates that really got me open…setting a million screens for me. Down screens, ball screens, flare screens. Everything they did for me is just amazing and it is just my teammates and my coaches wanting me to take those shots when I'm open. So that's just what I tried to do tonight."
On her bouncing three pointer:
"Yeah, it felt good when it left my hand. Then seeing it hit the back and it shot straight up so I said this has got to go in. It looked good, felt good, but yeah, I would say that's just a really nice bounce."
On the game:
"I would say it was a very physical and draining game. You had to give it your all on both sides of the floor. Very fast paced, very long game, but we had to give it all on both sides of the floor. We didn't shoot that well on offense, but I think our defense really picked it up tonight. It was a really low scoring game but I'm really proud of our defense and the strides we're making on that end. It was just really fun…I wish the fans were there, but it was just a really fun atmosphere just to be a part of that game. It was just a really fun and competitive game."
Freshman Guard Nika Mühl
On Paige Bueckers' last shot:
"About the last shot, we just knew it was going in. It was not a surprise that's Paige that's what she does, she does it every day in practice. But I think this game we struggled a lot offensively, we had a lot of mistakes that we need to fix, and she really stood up and helped us a lot, she was incredible."
On playing in a big game:
"I knew what I was getting into, I knew they were good and the games going to be very physical from both sides. I kind of prepared myself mentally for that. I went in tough and wanted to bring in energy like I bring every game. I feel like defensively we did a great job today, but we have a lot to fix. This was as great a lesson as it was a win for us.
South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley
On if UConn did anything defensively to slow USC's fast break and offensive rhythm:
"I mean, Destanni Henderson does not turn the ball over like she turned the ball over. She does not lose control of the ball like you saw her do tonight. She just did it too much and didn't make the adjustment of playing with the ball and it shot us in the foot because usually we're getting at least a shot up to give our rebounders an opportunity to rebound the ball for second chance points. I don't think UConn did anything different than what we've seen other teams do, we were different with what we did against UConn as far as transition."
On South Carolina's struggle to make layups throughout the game
I mean we've been missing layups all year, you could attribute it to UConn's defense and everyone else's defense that we played against that we couldn't put the ball in the hole… it is what it is, we have to move on. All of our goals are still in front of us. Would we have liked to have won the game? Yes. There are some quality things we can take from this game. We found ourselves down seven and we fought our way back and took the lead up three and then I thought we just made poor decisions. The stepback 3 by Aliyah, the quick shot, dribbling in traffic and losing the ball. Those all contributed to us not taking care of the moment, those are moments we need to have back and get better anticipated looks on the floor. Â
On Paige Bueckers' performance:
"She's a player, she makes big shots when her number is called time and time again."
