University of Tennessee Athletics
QUOTES FROM MONDAY'S NCAA PRACTICE DAY
March 19, 2007 | Women's Basketball
March 19, 2007
University of Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt
Opening Statement:
"We're excited to be in the position to still be playing. I'm particularly pleased with how our team played in the opening game. I thought in the second half we stepped up and executed better offensively. Certainly, in the first half our defense was our stronghold on the floor. Our board play is where we have to get better and as I look ahead to our next opponent, Pitt is a team that's going to really challenge us in terms of what happens in the paint. We know we have to be a better rebounding team and out basketball team understands that. We're on the road, we're playing them on our home court ... in 112 NCAA games, this is only the third time, prior to a Final Four, that we have played on an opponent's home court. We've hosted a lot of events in postseason play, but I do think our basketball team has been terrific on the road and have played a lot of tough competition and they understand why home is comfortable and why life on the road is where you better pack your defense and board play and be ready."
On Pitt's freshman point guard Jania Sims:
"Well, she doesn't look like a freshman. Sims has done a great job of running their basketball team and getting them in their offense. She's the type of athlete who can break you down off the dribble and that's where their transition game comes. She pushes the tempo and we have to be mindful of picking up the ball in the open floor with our transition defense. It's been a priority for us all season long. It's had to be with all the team's we've faced that like the up-and-down game. She's very impressive for a young freshman and she's proven how valuable she is to the team. We know how important it is for us to defend her early."
On Nikky Anosike defending against Pitt's Marcedes Walker and other top post players:
"I don't think you limit Nikky's ability just to play post-up players, because we've put her on point guards and had her on the best wing players. Obviously, Walker's the best post player we'll have to contend with tomorrow night. But the thing about Nikky is, she's a warrior and understands the value of defense. She takes on challenges to defend as much as any player I've coached. I love what she brings to the floor. She and Alexis [Hornbuckle] are the two players we depend on most from a defensive standpoint. They commit to it. Defense is more about hard work than anything and both these young ladies realize that sometimes you just have to outwork your opponent, limit touches and do the dirty work. Both are willing to do that.
"Certainly, from Nikky's standpoint, her post defense will be a key for us. But perimeter defense is also going to be a place where Nikky's going to have to help us as well."
On North Carolina:
"With North Carolina, they're so explosive. That's the one part of their game that can be a little overwhelming. You can't simulate that in practice. Maybe even the best male practice squad couldn't do that for you. What they've done is get out in the passing lanes and bring the intensity to the defensive end. In postseason play, I think all teams understand that you're going to have challenges along the way and you have to decide how you want to play a team that brings North Carolina's style of play. Tempo is always something coaches think about going into a game. What do we prefer and what do our opponents prefer? You try to work that to your advantage as a team."
Success in first and second rounds: preparation or different attitude in Tournament?
"There's a distinct relationship here between winning and players. It's all about having players. I'm a much better coach when we have the best players. At Tennessee, we've been very fortunate to be able to bring in players from all over the country. We look for people who we think understand how to compete for championships and who have that mentality of wanting to be on the big stage.
"Tennessee is not for everyone and I think players who come here know what they're getting into. They have to be great competitors and that's been the key to our success. You win in life with people. As a basketball coach, the people who you surround yourself with as coaches and student-athletes determine how successful your program's going to be."
Junior Center Nicky Anosike
On the impact of being known for her defensive ability:
"I think I just need to step up every single game and get the defensive stops that my team needs me to get. Obviously, they [Pitt] have a pretty good post player [Marcedes Walker] that we need to face tomorrow and it's going to be a challenge, but I'm ready to do it. I'm just going to have to take one for the team."
On the regular season road games that prepared the team to play Pitt on its home court in the NCAA Tournament:
"One game that really prepared us was [the game against] LSU on their home court. We had three of our starters that weren't really on offensively, but we came with the defense and pulled it out. I think the lesson that we learned was if your shots aren't falling, you really have to come with the defense. The other game that prepared us was [the game against] Arkansas that went into overtime. We just had that mentality that we weren't going to go home with a loss, and if we keep that for the next five games, there's no one that can stop us."
On the intangibles that will make it tougher to beat Pitt:
"Their home court advantage will definitely be something that we won't have, but we have such a great fan base and will hopefully have just as many fans as they do. Another thing is, they have nothing to lose going into tomorrow's [March 20] game and, obviously, we have everything to lose, being a team that's been a contender for at least the Elite Eight every year. I'd say that's the biggest thing, they have everything to gain and nothing to lose."
Junior Guard Alexis Hornbuckle
On the challenge of beating Pitt on their home court:
"It's a lot more difficult to play a team on their home court, especially once you get to the post season and are in the NCAA Tournament. We're just going to have to come with intensity and match their defense and their boards. I think our team has prepared and all we have to do is go out there and prove it."
On being aware of Tennessee's 25-straight Sweet Sixteen appearances:
"Well, I've been aware since you said that, but no, I didn't know that before. We know that Tennessee has a great tradition and we're just trying to build on that tradition. So many great players before us have set the road and paved the way for us, and we've just tried to continue in that way. We take every game as if it's our last and we're just trying to make a tradition of our own."
Junior Center Nicky Anosike
On the impact of being known for her defensive ability:
"I think I just need to step up every single game and get the defensive stops that my team needs me to get. Obviously, they [Pitt] have a pretty good post player [Marcedes Walker] that we need to face tomorrow and it's going to be a challenge, but I'm ready to do it. I'm just going to have to take one for the team."
On the regular season road games that prepared the team to play Pitt on its home court in the NCAA Tournament:
"One game that really prepared us was [the game against] LSU on their home court. We had three of our starters that weren't really on offensively, but we came with the defense and pulled it out. I think the lesson that we learned was if your shots aren't falling, you really have to come with the defense. The other game that prepared us was [the game against] Arkansas that went into overtime. We just had that mentality that we weren't going to go home with a loss, and if we keep that for the next five games, there's no one that can stop us."
On the intangibles that will make it tougher to beat Pitt:
"Their home court advantage will definitely be something that we won't have, but we have such a great fan base and will hopefully have just as many fans as they do. Another thing is, they have nothing to lose going into tomorrow's [March 20] game and, obviously, we have everything to lose, being a team that's been a contender for at least the Elite Eight every year. I'd say that's the biggest thing, they have everything to gain and nothing to lose."
Junior Guard Alexis Hornbuckle
On the challenge of beating Pitt on their home court:
"It's a lot more difficult to play a team on their home court, especially once you get to the post season and are in the NCAA Tournament. We're just going to have to come with intensity and match their defense and their boards. I think our team has prepared and all we have to do is go out there and prove it."
On being aware of Tennessee's 25-straight Sweet Sixteen appearances:
"Well, I've been aware since you said that, but no, I didn't know that before. We know that Tennessee has a great tradition and we're just trying to build on that tradition. So many great players before us have set the road and paved the way for us, and we've just tried to continue in that way. We take every game as if it's our last and we're just trying to make a tradition of our own."
University of Pittsburgh Head Coach Agnus Berenato
Opening Statement
"We're happy to be here today. We're very excited to represent the University of Pittsburgh and one of the 32 teams left [in the tournament]. It's really awesome that we're still able to have our Athletic Department, the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the community of Pittsburgh out there in the fore front. It's exciting for these young ladies who have worked so hard and come through a lot of adversity. They continue to have blind faith in each other and our staff. I thought last night was just an unbelievable game; it was a great game to coach, a fun game to coach. All of the fans had a marvelous time and the people who saw the bits and pieces that were shown on TV really, really did like it. It was great basketball. We're looking forward to playing the University of Tennessee. I think that's another awesome challenge and opportunity to see what we're made of. We'll take it and see how far we can go with it. We're going into the game with no fear, and we're looking to attack. Tennessee is a big-time program and that's where we're looking to be, so let's see where we stand at the end of the game."
On Tennessee point guard Shannon Bobbitt matching up with Pitt point guard Jania Sims:
"They're [Shannon Bobbitt and Jania Sims] going to go at each other tomorrow. [Shannon] Bobbitt has a little more experience because she's a transfer who's a little spicy who likes to get the crowd involved, and she has a great supporting cast. But at the same time, Jania [Sims] has really shown that she has no fear. We're really excited about this match up both defensively and offensively. Offensively, Jay [Jania Sims] has always been very explosive and she's able to get our big three involved all the time, which would be Marcedes [Walker], Shavonte [Zellous] and Xenia [Stewart]. But she's also, recently, been able to create for herself, where as earlier, when she created opportunities for herself she couldn't finish. She's also getting used to the contact, and there is a lot of contact. She's also stepped up her defensive game. She was struggling a little bit after Christmas and we sat her out for a little bit until she realized that defense is really important. Defense has really become important to her. Yesterday, she had a couple defensive stands where she really stood her ground. She made a tremendous defensive play that ended in a block and was ultimately ruled a foul, but I was proud of that because the thought was right and she wasn't passive, but was aggressive. Tomorrow will be a great match up [between Shannon Bobbitt and Jania Sims]."
On Pitt being a big-time program sometime in the future:
"I think we are a bit-time program. I don't think we have to work to be a big-time program; we're a big-time program in a big-time city, in a big-time league. Sometimes, people equate wins or rings or trophies with big-time, but I don't. I equate people with big-time and no program is more big-time than the University of Pittsburgh. Are we trying to get rings and banners and trophies? Absolutely. But they're a reward for hard work and we have everything in place now, we just have to continue to teach our student athletes about raising their level of intensity to match the competitiveness of their opponents. That's on the court. Off the court, there's a competitive world out there. When these student athletes go for the job interviews, it's the person whose hand shake is the strongest or who stands the tallest. It's our job to teach them that. When Marcedes Walker walked out on that court last night, when that game began, she had a presence. Forget points, forget rebounds; she had a presence and it was known that this was her house and I thought that was awesome. Those are the things that make a program big time. Tennessee has a tremendous tradition that we haven't had, but this is where we build on what we've just done. You set the standard and then you go for it. Some people believe in limitations. I believe in expectations."
On the crowd on Sunday night in the game against James Madison:
"The people of Pittsburgh are awesome and tomorrow night I expect a sellout. As long as you media are here and get the word out and talk about the great game and the great entertainment. Yesterday, one of the neatest things that happened to me since I've been here was when our team stood up to go to the shoot around. We walked down through the stands during the Notre Dame, California game and the people around us started clapping and cheering 'Let's go Pitt' and within seconds, it went around the entire Peterson Events Center and the team got a standing ovation. Marcedes [Walker] said to me, 'Hey Coach Berenato, Connecticut in the house?' and I said to her, 'No, you're in the house 'Cedes' [Marcedes Walker] and that was really cool. Last night was a Pitt-partisan crowd. You could really tell it when Karlyle Lim got that three-point play. There maybe weren't a lot of Pitt jerseys or pom-poms, but the place went crazy. I really hope the students get involved tomorrow and I know there are probably some things going on to get people here. If everyone just brings someone with them, we'll have a sellout crowd. I'm not worried about the 'Big Orange' factor."
On tomorrow's [March 20] game against Tennessee being a showcase for the Pitt women's basketball program:
"Depending on the outcome, this game could mean a lot down the road. But it's the present that we are here for. It's about preparing today for Tennessee today and tomorrow, playing Tennessee for tomorrow. But I'm not very good at looking to the future. What will always be significant is that in 2007, Pitt women's basketball went to the NCAA Tournament, hosted it and won it's first ever NCAA Tournament game and the University of Pittsburgh did an unbelievable job hosting this national event. That's what's important because when you look back, you don't think about wins or losses, you think about memories. I've talked about how amazing this tournament has been run and that's thanks to Carol Sprague [Pitt Senior Associate Athletic Director] and her staff behind the scenes and that's what's important."
On what she taught Danielle Donehew, Tennessee Director of Basketball Operations :
"Danielle [Donehew] was one of the brightest shining starts that I ever had as a player. She was so persistent when we were recruiting her [at Georgia Tech]. She was a local and one of those kids that's a pain and she always wanted to know where she was on my list. One time, I blurted out, 'You're sixteenth.' But as other players started to commit to bigger schools, she moved up and was around the eighth or ninth spot at the time that I came home from a horrible recruiting trip. It had just been awful. So I said to myself, 'Why am I chasing players around the country when there's one sitting in my backyard that is begging me to play?' I picked up the phone and went to see her play volleyball. I offered Danielle [Donehew] a full scholarship because I knew that if she wanted to come and play for me so badly, that she'd be a winner. And she was. She was a mechanical engineer, she was honors and she ended up being the first student athlete to ever be elected Homecoming Queen. And when that was announced at the football game, you would've thought that I was her mother. I always said that I hoped my daughters would grow up to be like Danielle, and I think that they have. They're kind and compassionate and enjoy talking to people and are detailed oriented. And I told Danielle [Donehew], and I tell this to people all the time, 'If you have a choice between a person and a thing, choose the person.' She's a really special person and is actually the first person I called when I was offered the head coaching position here at Pitt to ask to be my assistant coach. But she said to me, "Coach [Berenato], I'm flattered, but I just bought a house.' And I said, 'A house? How much is Pat [Summitt] paying you?!' I didn't have a house when I was 25. I just couldn't afford [to pay her to move]. But she's great. I don't like the fact that we have to go up against each other because one of us is going to fail and I hate setting people up to fail."
Junior Center Marcedes Walker
Did you have a favorite player growing up? Who influenced your style of play?:
"No, I didn't have a favorite player. I just started playing basketball after middle school. I started to really love the game, watching it on TV. I talked to my mom, who used to play basketball, and with my AAU coach, who taught to work hard and get better so I could go to college."
On getting past the first round and going up against Tennessee and their tradition:
"The first game's always the toughest game to play. I think we played really well and now we're just focused on playing hard against Tennessee, leaving it all out on the court. We have no fear of them. I'm excited about going up against another All-American [Nikky Anosike] and I think it's gonna be a big challenge going against Tennessee, knowing they have a history. Pittsburgh doesn't really have a history so I take it as we have nothing to lose but have so much to gain."
On what you enjoy most about playing basketball court and what you're best at: scoring, rebounding or defending:
"I like to do everything. When I'm on the court, I want to make my presence known in all three ways - scoring, rebounding and playing defense. You just can't score and not play defense, letting the other opponent come down and score on you. You never know when you need a stop. So I go out and play hard at all three."
On rating yourself on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being best:
"[Laughs] I'd say I'm like a seven, in between. I like to play better on guards ... I have to give myself a 10 when I'm on guards [laughs]."
Freshman Guard Jania Sims
On having nerves against Tennessee:
"I'm excited about playing Tennessee. They're a well-known program and we're coming into the game with the idea that we don't have anything to lose. There's going to be a lot of people here and that will motivate us and give us a lot of energy to play hard and smart and play together."
Sophomore Guard Shavonte Zellous
On playing against fellow guard Alexis Hornbuckle:
"I think the matchup is going to be great. I'm pretty sure she's going to be guarding me and we're just going to go head-to-head at each other and, hopefully, we'll come out with a victory."
