TENNESSEE VS. NORTH CAROLINA - NCAA TOURNAMENT - PHOTO GALLERY

March 29, 2006

Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery

Tennessee Press Conference

Head Coach Pat Summitt

Opening Statement - Obviously our concern going in was how we could handle the speed, quickness and defensive intensity of North Carolina. I thought if we could handle that and not turn the ball over and give up transition baskets, we had a great opportunity to compete and go head-to-head with them. The first half was a pretty tough half for us. We were never comfortable and never could seem to get into a rhythm. You have to give them credit. This was by far the quickest, most aggressive defense we've seen all year. They took us out of what we wanted to do. We had no choice at times but to go one-on-one. You can't go one-on-one against five great defenders with the type of athleticism that they brought. I'm really proud of what this team has accomplished this year. They have faced tremendous adversity and come through it. They have great character and have been a great group to coach. To our two seniors, I appreciate their dedication to the University of Tennessee and this basketball program. I wish both of them the best. And Candace Parker, obviously without Candace on this team, we'd miss a lot of points and rebounds. She is just a great, great player and great teammate. Also, North Carolina, give them all the credit. They are one impressive basketball team. If they play like they played tonight, it'll be hard for this team to lose.

On trying to come back in the second half - You don't win a basketball game in the first half, but you certainly can lose one. We just got too far into a hole. We were just trying to get back into the game and what happened was that they answered everything. When we battled back, they answered. And those two plays by Ivory Latta were huge. We just got ourselves in a tough position and when we came back, we cut it to five or six, we never could get the stop that we needed and you have to give them the credit for that.

On her second half adjustments working - It was a tough game to coach, particularly the first half. We just kept trying to get our team refocused. I felt like in the second half, we had them in a good place. We got some good looks, hit some big shots. (Sidney) Spencer stepped up. (Shanna) Zolman settled down. I told them then, "we can still do this" and make this run, but, I thought that was when North Carolina stepped up. Their defense did exactly what it did in the first half and that was step up and make stops when they had to make stops. We played a them even in the second half, but we just got too far behind. Had we played two halves like that, obviously it would have been a better contest. Against a team as explosive as North Carolina, you can't get in a hole like that and try to work your way out of it. I'll give our team credit, we never quit. We were frustrated, but we did not have any quit in us.

On playing North Carolina in the future -We are going to play them next year at North Carolina, I'd rather not think about that tonight. They are a great program and something we like to do is schedule the best teams out there. It's a good matchup for us in the future.

On comparisons to the 1997-98 regional final game in Nashville, Tenn. - It certainly does remind me of that game, we were down 13 with just over seven minutes to go and I felt that all night we were playing just to get back into the game because they did such a great job with their pressure. We started quick shooting the ball and turning the ball over. It was very similar tonight. It was similar to tonight with all the turnovers. Because of the pressure we were getting in the passing lane, we were not getting into our offense and players were trying to go one-on-one. I understand that. At the same time, from a coaching standpoint, you are trying to run some pressure releases and run some offense. I thought the second half we had a shot at closing the gap, but obviously we didn't get any closer than five.

On Candace Parker's early foul trouble - It bothered Candace and it bothered our team. When your best go-to player goes out of the game, obviously, I wasn't happy at all about that foul (Parker's second) because it was the biggest game we've played all year long. But, it happened and I thought that's when the wheels just fell off. We lost our composure and it forced us into almost a panic mode with the basketball. We were trying to do too much and we just didn't play together. We had a hard time running our offense.

On the positives into this offseason - We certainly have a lot to build on with our returning players and the recruits coming in. The expectations in this program don't change year in and year out. The schedule will be diffiuclt as always. A great deal of our play next year will depend on the work ethic of these individuals in the offseason. I took time in the locker room to remind each player that they had to make a big commitment this offseason. There's so much parity in this game and kids are better, they work harder. We have to do exactly what we did a year ago. We had a great offseason last summer. I expect the same from this team. I expect no less, that's for sure.

Senior guard Shanna Zolman

On dealing with North Carolina's pressure defense - (At halftime) Coach was really emphasizing the fact that we weren't breaking the press a whole lot in the first half; that we able to get into our offense. They were rushing us so when we did get the press we were too fast and forced to go one-on-one. After a half of experiencing what it was like, we finally settled down. Most importantly, it was our defensive transition. We did not play Tennessee defense in the first half. We allowed our offensive breakdowns to affect our defensive play, that was what really hurt us.

On getting caught in the North Carolina trap - They did a very good job of bringing pressure. When you have quick guards, posts and long athletic perimeter players coming at you in waves, it is difficult to get your eyes up and see if you have a teammate open and take care of the ball at the same time. It was frustrating. It's part of the game, it's the defense that they bring. Give them a lot of credit, they are a great team.

On how difficult it was getting the ball inside - From a guard's perspective it is difficult because you are trying to break the pressure and they take you out of your offense, they are able to get you out of what set you were trying to run. Trying to look inside to the post at the same time as you are looking to take care of the ball and be careful. The were swarming the post as well, trying to deny and playing with a person behind as well. It was a matter of trying to read and take care of the ball, it was difficult.

Freshman forward Candace Parker

Losing for first time season ended without a championship since her sophomore year in high school - You never want to go out on a loss. Obviously it hurts the same as it did before, but we need to use this as motivation (for the future). I'm really sorry for the seniors right now. We're going to come back and work hard (in the offseason).

On if they felt like they had taken the momentum after their second half run -We felt like we did. But every time we came at them, they answered. When we got close, they made a steal or a three or something like that. We just needed a better first half and that would have solved everything because in the second half, we competed.

Senior center Tye'sha Fluker

On how difficult it was getting the ball inside - From a post perspective, It was difficult trying to help relieve the pressure on the guards. They defended the post well and fronted us. They were very physical and defended us well.

North Carolina Press Conference

Head Coach Sylvia Hatchell

Opening Statement - First of all, I just want to say what an honor it is to play the University of Tennessee and to have won this game. Pat and I are very good friends. I went to graduate school at Tennessee. Much of my success as a coach and my opportunities have been because of Pat Summitt. She has opened a lot of doors for me and got me involved in USA Basketball. It's an honor to have played and won this game. These young ladies (Ivory Latta, Camille Little and Erlana Larkins) here beside me are very special. I don't have to tell you how special they are. They're tough and they're warriors and I'm very proud of them. The way we started the game I thought our defensive pressure made a big difference and we got some transition buckets. We played some pretty good defense in the first half. As far as rebounding goes, Tennessee was killing us on the boards and we talked a lot about that at halftime. In the second half we played a much bigger line up. Most of the time we played Camille (Little) at the wing and I thought that helped us a little bit on our rebounding. I knew Tennessee was going to come at us and they did. Those kids were tough down the stretch and then Tennessee made their run. And again, I like I said it's an honor to win this game.

On her Confidence in Ivory Latta - Ivory is an excellent 3-point shooter and we do several things with her. We let her shoot that shot. If you give her some daylight we're going to let her pull the trigger because Ivory's a great 3-point shooter and I that's a high percentage shot for us to tell you the truth. Because when she does make it then you've got to come out on her then she can drive more and find the post players.

On UNC's Bench - Our strength is our depth and our balance. LaToya (Pringle) goes in and gets the job done for us. Erlana didn't have a good game. She only made one but she got some rebounds and her presence in there makes a difference. Ivory didn't shoot that well either. Tangy (La'Tangela Atkinson) was solid and Camille played well. I thought Jessica when she played had two big shots, but LaToya's tough in there and I thought Rashanda (McCants) played well when she was in there too.

On the Difference in Tennessee's Candace Parker after her second foul - Candace is a great, great player. She can just do it all. It may have been a factor a little bit, but she's just such an incredible player. We were trying to keep her from getting the ball so much. Down in the post we were trying to front her and just not let her touch the ball so much. Because if she gets it in her hands she's going to make something happen.

Junior Guard Ivory Latta

On 3-point basket with shot clock winding down - Coach told me to get the ball and back it out. They weren't coming out to get me so I just shot the ball. It was a dagger. It was coach's decision for me to back it out so I backed it out and I tried to take a couple dribbles and they just stood there. I thought they were going to come out and play defense on me but they didn't so I took the shot.

Sophomore Forward Erlana Larkins

On sophomore forward LaToya Pringle's Presence - It was very important that you could have a courageous game once again thanks to LaToya (Pringle) and her play I think that's what helped us win this game.

Junior Forward Camille Little

On North Carolina's Defensive Pressure - Coach Hatchell always talks about defensive pressure and we've been doing that since day one and that's our game plan. We plan on doing against everyone else here on out.

On UNC's defensive adjustment - I think the pressure on the ball is important. It makes it awkward for perimeter players to pass it into the post. We try to play like we always do.

On Holding Off Tennessee's Late Run - We didn't want to get shaken up by their pressure, take care of the ball and keep the clock running and just stay focused and we knew that we had it.

University of Tennessee Athletics

TENNESSEE VS. NORTH CAROLINA - NCAA TOURNAMENT - PHOTO GALLERY

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