University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vol Hoops Report (2/8/17)
February 08, 2017 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee women's basketball coach Holly Warlick and junior Jaime Nared met with the media Wednesday, as the Lady Vols prepare to host Missouri on Thursday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on SEC Network and online through WatchESPN.
The #24/25 Lady Vols (15-8, 6-4 SEC) are back home after playing three out of their last four games on the road. #RV/NR Missouri (16-8, 6-4 SEC) is tied with UT at fourth in the SEC standings. Both teams are coming off streak-ending losses and will look to regain some momentum down the final stretch of the regular season.
Here are some of Tennessee's thoughts heading into the game.
Head Coach Holly Warlick Quotes
(On the importance of the game against Missouri)
"I think the next two games are huge for us and particularly this one. Missouri is not a conventional team, and that's not a slam. They'll spread out with five people. They average 25 threes a game, so they're a difficult team for us to play. It's a must-win for us because they're tied with us. Texas A&M is above us, and we have the opportunity to play both of those teams at home. You've got to secure your home court, and then we have go on the road and win at Alabama. We'd really love a win at Mississippi State too. We have to take care of our home court."
(On the importance of having someone step up when Russell, DeShields or Nared struggle)
"I don't think Jaime had a game typical of Jaime [against Georgia]. I think she recognizes it, but we need someone else to step up, and that's part of being a role player. You step up when somebody is struggling. That wasn't a typical game for Jaime, but I don't expect her to stay there."
(On being tuned in during games)
"I think we just have some mental lapses and we're getting other teams' best. Our kids understand that, but there cannot be a letdown. You've got to play the game as hard as you can every possession you can. I think at times we take possessions off."
Junior Guard/Forward Jaime Nared Quotes
(On looking ahead from the Georgia game)
"We had a meeting just to talk about it all and what direction we want our season to go from here. We can't have moments where we play so great, go on a four-game winning streak, and then play the way we did in Georgia. I think we've got to figure out a way to just bounce back, basically."
(On rising to the occasion at the end of games against big names like Notre Dame and South Carolina)
"It's funny because that's something my dad and I have talked about. That's something I've practiced since I was a little kid, practicing little in-game situations. It's just always fun with my dad, and when I'm in the situation, I feel comfortable. It's not something that I feel like I haven't done before because I've practiced it, and I've played with my sister. In practice, you work on in-game situations. You just take a deep breath, and you want to win, so it's not anything you need to be nervous about."
