University of Tennessee Athletics
Selection Monday Quotes
March 12, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Tennessee Head Coach Holly WarlickÂ
On hosting the first two rounds:
"(Getting to host) is huge for us; getting a chance to play in front of your fans again and an opportunity to stay here and not have to travel. It's awesome. I love it."
On the subdued reaction from the team:
"I think we have a business-like approach. We didn't really anticipate where we were going, so it's just kind of seeing where we were going and who we were going to play. As long as we can channel our energy into Liberty and what we have to do."
On what she knows about Liberty:
"I've seen Liberty a little bit. I saw their championship game. I don't know a lot about them. Our staff will go back and break up and watch Liberty. Obviously, we will prepare for the other two teams as well. What I saw from their tournament is that they are gritty, they are tough, and they rebound. They've got kids that score, so it will be a tough challenge for us."
On the two week break:
"We took a couple of days off. After the SEC we practiced for three days. We practiced early Friday, so we gave them early Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday off. We came back today, and we're not going to take another day off. I'm very mindful of our bodies. We're just banged up, and we need to heal. We need to stay in shape as well, because the running game and the pressing is part of our game. We have to make sure they stay in shape, but we have to give them a chance to heal."
On the strength of the region:
"I think it's tough. We've been in the same region with Louisville before, and they've proven themselves. Baylor, everyone thought was worthy of a No. 1 seed. I can't remember who else was in there. I think Stanford was in there, as well. It's just tough. That's the nature and the growth of women's basketball. I just feel it's a hard region, but I feel like all of them are pretty tough."
On what the team needs to brush up on:
"Making layups and being consistent with making free throws. Continuing to be physical for 40 minutes and being consistent on defense. There are so many things. Mainly, getting great shots, and I think layups are great looks. Getting to the free-throw line and rebounding the basketball. Playing the best quality defense we can play."
On being a No. 3Â seed in the NCAA Tournament:
"I thought with our strength of schedule and what we did, I thought a three seed was good. If we would have advanced more in the (SEC) tournament, maybe we would've gotten a better seed, but we lost a couple games that I think hurt us. I'm pleased with the three seed, absolutely."
On what advice she will give to the freshman:
"Just stay focused on one game. Don't look ahead. Every possession matters. You have to play in the moment. You have to forget about getting tickets for people. This is what we've been doing since they came on campus on the first of June. It's a great opportunity for us, and we have to make sure they stay focused."
On the confidence of the team:
"I do like the confidence level of our team. We are competitive. Now that we have an opponent, I think we will really get more zeroed in. We just have to make sure we play together. I think the core of our team has been really good."
Senior Jaime Nared
On how important beginning the NCAA tournament at home is for the freshmen:
"I think, for our freshmen, the NCAA tournament is a lot different from the rest of the year. If you don't win, you're done playing. Being home and being in our own beds, just having things that we're accustomed to is definitely an advantage, I think."
On how the grind of an SEC schedule helped prepare the team for the tournament:
"The SEC is the most competitive league in the country, so of course that's helpful. We let a couple games slip, I think, just games that we were capable of winning. I know our last game, we shot 30 more times (than South Carolina) and still came up losing the game. We've definitely learned a lot this year, and I think the SEC was a great preparation for this tournament."
On how much the freshmen have grown since the first game of the season:
"They've definitely grown. Obviously, they've had a lot of expectations and had to do a lot at an early time. They've been asked to play a lot of minutes;Â they've been asked to do a lot of things for our team and this program, and they've just handled it well. They've grown up this year and taken whatever they've been asked and hit it on full throttle. It's just been great to see how they've grown and see how they've progressed on the basketball court and as people."
On what advice she would give to the freshmen going into their first NCAA tournament:
"Just to give your all. That's the biggest thing that I've learned the past couple years. We made it to the Elite Eight my first two years here and then the round of 32. Any team in the country would be happy with that, but that's not the expectation here. It's to go to the Final Four and win a national championship, so give it you're all because we're only promised the game against Liberty."
On the first two rounds of the tournament lining up with spring break:
"It's nice not to have to worry about school, but of course we're asked as student-athletes to take care of both. If it were to be during school time, we would have to find a balance between making sure we're on top of our school work and also playing at our best during this time of the year."
On if it was bittersweet experiencing the selection show for the last time in her career:
"It was. We had kind of a dry reaction, but I think that's because we're focused. We're excited with playing home. The team we're playing, we don't know much about them, but we're excited to learn about them and to play hard and give it all."
On Tennessee being 56-0 in home tournament games:
"That's great to know. We're just worried about Liberty at this point. Obviously, that's great to know and have fans support us and be here for the game. Hopefully we have a lot. I know it's spring break, but just having that home court advantage, we're excited for that."
On excitement for Tennessee men's and women's teams both being in the tournament:
"We're going to watch the men's game the day before, I know I am. But it's exciting just to see how their program has grown and where their players and coaches have taken their program and just how competitive they've been. I know we watch their team and see how they play, and because they're so deliberate with their offense, I think we can learn a few things from them."
On what is special about playing in the NCAA Tournament:
"I think the win or go home (aspect). You look at brackets, people predicting what's going to happen, upsets, teams that just kill it in the NCAA Tournament... there are so many different things and aspects to the tournament that make it so fun and why people look forward to it every year. It's definitely a point where teams elevate their game and really bring what they're good at this time of the year. This is the time people compete for a national championship, so it's just a fun time."
On if the nerves are different in NCAA tournament versus SEC tournament:
"You're both competing for a championship. This is just the one that everyone's trying to go for. I would say every game you're ready to compete and play hard. Obviously, this is the last time you can compete for the season and for our seniors, our career. It's a fun time. I don't think it's much different, but it is the last time that you'll be able to play because you're only guaranteed one game."
On if she paid attention to bracket projections and if she was surprised by being a No. 3 seed:
"I thought we were going go to Spokane. People were saying we had a chance to go to Spokane and play Oregon. My sister's on their staff, so I was hoping for that, just to be close to home and be with my sister. I'm excited mainly to be here first, and whatever follows I'm just excited for where we are now."
Senior Mercedes Russell
On what it means to be playing at home for tournament games:"I think it's huge. It's an advantage not having to travel. Some teams are having to go across the country, some are just going down the street and some get to stay at home. I think being able to play on your own court is really important."
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On the pressure of the Lady Vols being undefeated at home in the tournament:
"I don't think it really brings any pressure. Obviously, that is a huge tradition that goes back many years. It's awesome. I think it just shows the importance of playing at home."
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On understanding what's at stake with having so many freshmen:
"We are 30-plus games in. We don't really consider them freshmen now, because they are so seasoned. They have a lot of experience up to now. We have played a lot of noon games this year, a lot of early games, a lot of Sunday games; we usually play early. I don't think the time is going to have any effect on us."
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On her personal keys to success when playing in the tournament:
"Defense. You never know what you are going to get on the offensive end. Defense can win you games night in and night out, so it's going to be really important."
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On the freshmen being nervous in big games:
"I wouldn't really say that I have witnessed that. They have made mistakes, but we have all been in their shoes. We have all made the mistakes that they have made. We learned from them and grew from them. I have never witnessed any panic from them."
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On it being her last NCAA tournament:
"I'm excited. We got a three seed in the Lexington region. Obviously, 64 teams make it; there is a lot of talent and depth in each region. It's my last go round, so I am really excited."
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On the business-like attitude the team has:
"I like the celebrations and stuff, we just didn't react like other teams did. We knew we would be in the tournament, we just didn't know where we would be and our seeding. We were a little anxious just to see where we were going to go and see who we were going to play. That might have played a part in it."Â
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On coming back partly because of the team going out in the second round last year:
"Last year was kind of tough losing so early in the tournament. I think that was the earliest I have ever lost as a player. It kind of sucked. Going out and playing as hard as I can is what I'm going to do. Hopefully that will take us far."
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On this team having Final Four potential:
"Definitely. When we play our best basketball we are a really good basketball team. There are also tons of teams that are really good in the tournament. If you don't show up, you go home."
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On if she expects this team to overlook anyone going forward:
"No, never. We can never overlook an opponent. We are going to respect anyone and everyone. We want the same from other teams. No one can be overlooked. There are always lots of upsets every single year. Everyone is playing their best basketball at this time."
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On approaching a team they don't know much about:
"As of now I don't really know much about them. I'm pretty sure tomorrow I will know a lot more information about the team and what they play like. Preparation is key."
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On practicing during the break:
"It's kind of tough practicing during the break from the tournament to the selection show. You have no scouting report, so you are just working on everything that you have been doing all year. Getting a scouting report will be really good for us this week."
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