University of Tennessee Athletics
COACH SUMMITT - FINAL FOUR TELECONFERENCE
April 01, 2004 | Women's Basketball
April 1, 2004
Opening comments regarding Midwest Regional success:
"Obviously, our regional tournament was very competitive. All the games were won in last second situations. It was, for us, a time in which our team executed very well in the half court, and, in particular, in the Stanford game. We shot the ball extremely well in the second half. That was the kind of execution we had in our overtimes. That gave us the opportunity to win the game. Our defense in the second half of both games was pretty consistent. As for rebounding, we didn't rebound the ball as we had at times this season. When you can survive and advance, you are pleased at this time of the year. I am very excited for this team."
On upcoming game against LSU:
"LSU is playing its best basketball of the season. [Temeka] Johnson and [Seimone] Augustus were just too much in their region. They did a super job to put their team in a position to win the West Regional Championship. At least, we are familiar with them. It helps you when you have a Tuesday night late game and a short turnaround."
On previous comments that she really likes this year's team:
"First of all, I like their work ethic and their willingness to get better in practice. They are a team that has good preparation habits. They take what information we give them and also work hard in breakdown drills, which I never liked as a player. They are serious and focused on the drill and skill work and work together throughout it all. Second of all, they also just have great chemistry. That has allowed them, in competitive situations, to step up or call out a teammate. They rely on each other and listen to each other. They are very competitive. Most of the Tennessee teams are competitive, but they have taken on a competitive personality and it has given them a lot of confidence. They really believe they are going to win every game. They have maintained that attitude up to, and throughout, each game."
On teams defending Tasha Butts in late-game situations now that she has hit two straight game-winning shots:
"I think Tasha is a bigger target for the opponents now, just because she has made big plays. She has been the one to step up and run our team. More importantly, people recognize that she has been a go-to player for us. With that said, defensive schemes might be devised to keep the ball out of her hands. It is harder to do with a point guard, but you can do it. You can deny the ball and double team her. Tasha has been so aggressive, that it is something that she would handle better now than ever before in her career with her level of confidence, size and physical strength."
On changes since her first Final Four in 1982 in Norfolk, Va.:
"Things have changed significantly since then. With the NCAA Tournament, and even in the last two Final Fours we have been to, there is just a lot going on. There can be a lot of distractions for players and coaches. We've learned just to try to meet what obligations you have. You have autograph sessions, open practices and a banquet. There is a lot going on. You want your team to enjoy that, but you also have to get them out of the mix of everybody being there and all the hoopla of the Final Four. You have to find time to get them away from that in your normal routine. We were in Tallahassee, Fla., and Norman, Okla., for the first two trips. New Orleans is going to be a little bit different. It is a great city for us and our fans. We have to stick to our routine. Having nine players that have been there is key for us."
On difference between the Final Four and the first four rounds of the tournament:
"It is very different because the amount of media and fans. It is different in terms that you recognize it is a big deal. You go out to your practice and there will be several thousand people there. I think players realize then this is different and is what it is all about. This is every team's dream to be part of the Final Four and have a chance to compete for the championship. You are in the spotlight, but you don't feel that as much in the first and second round or the regional. Now, the spotlight is huge and is on everyone."
On LaToya Davis' play:
"It has just been amazing to watch her. Earlier in the year, she was a player that could play for four, five or six minutes and need a break in the beginning of the game. In the regional championship, she went a long time and played solid defense on Nicole Powell. I asked if she needed a break. She said 'No, Coach, I got her.' It is more her mental development through all of this. She has been very focused. She has been watching extra tape. She hasn't shied away from any responsibility. They opened up the game the other night by not defending her and she knocked down the first shot. Her rebounding has led to some solid offense for her. It is great to see a role-player finally get a chance and now be an impact player for our team."
On parity of the women's game and the other teams at the Final Four:
"The game has changed. We have seen the most significant changes this season in the number of teams at the number one spot and the number of upsets this season and in the tournament. As for Connecticut, in my mind, they are a one seed and if they hadn't lost late, they would have been. The two newcomers are not getting a lot of talk. Minnesota was knocking off teams and getting better and better in the tournament. LSU and Georgia were playing great, and LSU came out of that region. The parity we have all hoped for and used to question, we no longer need to question."
On whether the parity will last:
"I really think that it will continue. The parity will be here. It is here to stay. You are going to have some teams that are going to be very strong. You look at LSU with who they have and are bringing in. Connecticut and Duke will be there as well. But, there are going to be more teams like Minnesota. You can list 15 or 20 schools that are going to be in the hunt. That is something I don't anticipate changing. It is getting harder."
On Tennessee being cool under pressure in the last minutes of close games:
"They have been very poised, Tasha, in particular. Our team follows her lead. Her demeanor has been one to give our team a reason to focus and be confident. When she needs to scream and yell, she can do it. In late-game situations, the composure Tasha has had has filtered throughout our basketball team and has allowed us to execute. You have to have that in close games. It has been a gift to our team. They have all benefited from Tasha's leadership."
On whether she expects to be able to breathe easier this weekend after two consecutive two-point games:
"I don't expect to. This is just the way we are having to live in the postseason. I told the coaching staff before Baylor and Stanford, get ready. It is going to go down to the last possession or two. It would be nice though."
On addressing rebounding woes:
"We must address it and emphasize it throughout the game. Whatever you make as a priority, you stand to see immediate benefits. As we look at our practice today, we are going to talk about that first and foremost. That is going to be a point of emphasis up to game time and in the games."
On defending Seimone Augustus:
"I think, when you have a player of that caliber, you can't expect one player to defend someone like that for 35 or 40 minutes and be as efficient as when you play two or perhaps three. That makes a difference. At the same time, you give your players a break from having to focus and defend and deny the basketball for an extended period of time if you can rotate people."
On Tennessee being a true team without a star player:
"While we have had Shyra Ely be our go-to player, we haven't relied on a player like with Stanford and Nicole Powell. You also have Duke with Alana Beard and Connecticut with Diana Taurasi. When you have a situation where we are in and you don't have a person scoring 25 or 30 a night, it forces everyone to step up and do more. Early on, this team recognized that everyone was going to have to do that and accept the responsibility and be accountable. If they weren't willing to take on that role, we would not be successful. They are in the gym and working before practice with ball-handling and shooting. With the schedule we played and the number of times we were challenged, they pulled together and knew they had to be together to win. At Tennessee, you know everyone is coming after you. You can be exposed by every opponent on your schedule if you don't work hard."
On difference from her 1991 trip to the Final Four in New Orleans:
"Obviously, now, we are in bigger venues and have sellout crowds. There is a lot more hype around the Final Four. I think it is a harder road to get there. You appreciate it even more. That one was very special for us as we failed to make it to Thompson-Boling Arena as the host of the Final Four in 1990. We were able to come back and win the championship the next year. It is a great city. Winning made it even better."
