University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Summer Simmons/Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vol Hoops Report (12/7/18)
December 07, 2018 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick and sophomore point guard Evina Westbrook met with the media on Friday, taking questions about the No. 9/9 Lady Vols' road contest on Sunday at No. 12/12 Texas. Tip is slated for 1:02 p.m. ET (12:02 CT) on ESPN2 at the Frank Erwin Center.
The Lady Vols come into this match-up with a perfect 7-0 record after defeating Stetson at home on Wednesday night, 65-55. Texas (7-1) enters on the heels of a 67-49 loss to No. 6/6 Mississippi State last Sunday, the first setback of the campaign for the Longhorns.
This marks the 40th meeting between these schools. Tennessee, which won last season in Knoxville, 82-75, leads the all-time series with Texas, 24-15, and has a 12-6 edge in Knoxville, a 10-8 record in Austin and a 2-1 mark at neutral sites.
"You have to correct a lot of things we did wrong, but we came back and fought. We worked on a lot of things, defensively and offensively. It was another example on how to get better and make sure they are prepared."
On if she liked the intensity of practice yesterday:
"I loved the intensity. I loved it. It was a lot better and a lot more focused."
On her reaction being down by 20 to Stetson:
"We had plenty of time left, and I know this team. I have listened to them in our huddles. They were pretty together, so all I told them is we would get back (in the game) with defense and rebounding and to continue to push the basketball. We got back in it by (forcing) turnovers and then shooting layups. It starts with our defense. And our free throws - we don't make our free throws, we don't win (that game). We picked a great day to decide to make our free throws."
On if this team can be a good free throw shooting team:
"Absolutely. I have always said they can. It is in their mind. They get up and hit them. We shoot a lot in practice. We put them under pressure, and we make them do repetitive free throws. They just have to get up and knock it down."
On what she is learning about the team against zone defense:
"For us, it is all about player movement and ball movement. We can't stand. I thought in the beginning of the Stetson game we stood around a lot. I thought we got some easy looks, but we didn't make them. I didn't think we were rebounding very well; I didn't think we were cutting the gaps and penetrating the lanes. A lot of it was from penetration."
On if her intention was to make the other defense move:
"If we just stand there and pass and pass, the defense doesn't have to do really too much of anything. If we pass and cut and attack, somebody has to be open. We have to move the defense."
On if she is practicing with a certain defense:
"Pretty much. Sagging man and zones."
On how she plans on gaining consistency:
"I thought against Oklahoma State we started with a bang and then we settled. So, we just have to understand and maintain what we want at the beginning of the game, what sets we want and what defense we want. (We have to) make sure we do those. We will make adjustments, but the more pressure we get and the more tempo we get, the better we start off. We always want to make sure that we press you get into our flow first."
On the scouting report for Texas:
"(This is a) typical Texas team to me - athletic, they have kids that can shoot the three. They have a couple kids inside that are strong and have experience. I think Joyner Holmes is back, so that will give them another dimension. It is going to be a typical battle, I think, between a Tennessee team and a Texas team. Pretty mirrored and similar programs."
On if the experience of playing at Oklahoma state will help with the upcoming Texas game:
"Absolutely, they are two fairly similar teams, I think the environment we played in (at Oklahoma state), I think it will be like that at Texas, and being on the road, staying focused and getting a big win at Oklahoma State will definitely help us at Texas"
On the health of Kasiyahna Kushkituah and the team in general:
"Everybody's fine. Kasi is still still day to day; she's progressing but still day-to-day."
On Evina Westbrook and her role:
"For her, I just let it come. I think she knows when she should be attacking and when she should get somebody else the ball; she's really good at that. I don't want her to carry the burden of, 'You have to be our top scorer, and you have to be our point guard and get everybody in position.' I think she has done a great job of deciding when she can go and when she needs to give it up and get the team where they need to be."
On the Texas game last year:
"It was a great atmosphere. I think both teams battled defensively. (It was a) physical game, big presences inside. I thought our defense was the difference in the game for us, and I think we have got to play that type of defense in order to win on Sunday."
On how close the team is:
"If you watch the bench during games, our bench is really into it. The Oklahoma State game they were about on the court when we did something great, and if we continue to get excited about what everybody else does, then we are going to continue to do great things, and I think it's a selfless team right now. Do kids want to play more minutes? Absolutely. They're normal kids that have played all the time in high school, but if we can continue to get everybody to buy in to our team and what we need as a team, we will continue to do great things."
On importance of preparation for the Texas game:
"Well it is. We have had a pretty tough schedule on the road, and these next two games are huge for us. It kind of helps us prepare for the SEC play, and it does give us a measuring stick of where we are and where we need to be."
On if she is satisfied with the maturity of the freshman:
"I like their maturity. I like their energy. They ask questions, which I really like. They seem to understand things, but what they don't understand they get by with by playing hard. And they're not going to get everything right, but if they keep focusing and playing hard and just playing all out, great things will happen. So yes, I do like their energy."
On if she has seen the moment being too big for any of the freshman:
"No, not yet. We are not in the SEC yet, but not yet."
On watching film on Texas:
"We have gone over film and personnel, so we know what we are up against. We just have to get ready to come in and play on Sunday."
On first impressions of Texas:
"They are a different team than last year, and we are a different team from last year. They are strong; they rebound like crazy, so that will be an emphasis to make sure they don't get as many put backs and second chances."
On how Tennessee is different from last year:
"Just overall, the chemistry that we have and the love that we have for each other is just really different. Our energy that our young players bring for us is just tremendous. It is going to be important for us to bring as much energy as possible."
On her thoughts when UT was down 20 to Stetson:
"How we were playing wasn't us. The other team played a tremendous game and had a great first half against us. We aren't going to win games playing like that, period. Our younger players now know that. (We have to) do do a better job preparing ourselves coming in."
On if she could tell before the Stetson game the team wasn't focused:
"No, I couldn't tell. Everyone was focused, and I thought we were ready to play. We really couldn't get going on defense, so we have to do a better job of reeling it back in."
On slow starts:
"I think we need to have better energy defensively. We need to make sure the younger players aren't getting down on themselves too early. If we get down like that against Texas, it is almost impossible to comeback from that."
On playing Texas last year:
"It was a big game for me. The atmosphere was crazy, and the overall game itself was fun and we enjoyed it. Going to Texas is going to be a crazy atmosphere as well. We love playing here, but going there is going to be crazy, and the odds are against us so we need to be ready to play."
On having odds against them:
"It gives me a chip on my shoulder and something extra to play with. We are ready, and we are going to come in with the same energy as we did in the Bahamas."
On being an experienced player:
"I love it. I emphasize it and embrace it anytime I can. The younger players look up to me, and just being able to lead like I know how to is great for me. My teammates trust me, my coaches trust me, so I love it and embrace it. Any chance I get to lead, I will do so for my team."
On the team's free-throw shooting:
"We need to get to the basket as much as we can, especially if our shots aren't falling from the 3-point line. Free throws have been a key point from our coaches, so we have been getting extra free throws before practice and after practice and on the weekends. Everyone has been contributing anyway they can."
On passing vs scoring:
"I think whatever my team needs me to do; I just need to be as aggressive as I can so the other people can get going and started as well, because that is my job as a point guard."
On playing against zone defense:
"We really just don't need to get caught on the arc and get shot happy. We just have to get to the basket and draw fouls. That is our game, getting to the basket. And we can't shy away from that if teams are in a packed zone against us."
On UT men's and women's teams both being in the Top 10:
"We are very proud of our men's team; they are ranked very high. Coach Barnes has done a really good job with them, and they have worked hard for it. For us, we have also worked hard, but it doesn't stop there. We have to continue to work."
On road environments:
"We really just need to lock in. Going into someone else's house, you are already down 10 points. So, we have to be ready and not take anyone lightly, especially Texas. We have to be ready to come in and not be nervous."
On how the freshmen will react to an environment like Texas:
"All these kids have played in the McDonald's game, so they know how it is and they are super excited. But at the same time, they can't be overly excited and they can't do stuff that they usually don't do. They have to play like they know how to play."
The Lady Vols come into this match-up with a perfect 7-0 record after defeating Stetson at home on Wednesday night, 65-55. Texas (7-1) enters on the heels of a 67-49 loss to No. 6/6 Mississippi State last Sunday, the first setback of the campaign for the Longhorns.
This marks the 40th meeting between these schools. Tennessee, which won last season in Knoxville, 82-75, leads the all-time series with Texas, 24-15, and has a 12-6 edge in Knoxville, a 10-8 record in Austin and a 2-1 mark at neutral sites.
Head Coach Holly Warlick
On how practices went after last game:"You have to correct a lot of things we did wrong, but we came back and fought. We worked on a lot of things, defensively and offensively. It was another example on how to get better and make sure they are prepared."
On if she liked the intensity of practice yesterday:
"I loved the intensity. I loved it. It was a lot better and a lot more focused."
On her reaction being down by 20 to Stetson:
"We had plenty of time left, and I know this team. I have listened to them in our huddles. They were pretty together, so all I told them is we would get back (in the game) with defense and rebounding and to continue to push the basketball. We got back in it by (forcing) turnovers and then shooting layups. It starts with our defense. And our free throws - we don't make our free throws, we don't win (that game). We picked a great day to decide to make our free throws."
On if this team can be a good free throw shooting team:
"Absolutely. I have always said they can. It is in their mind. They get up and hit them. We shoot a lot in practice. We put them under pressure, and we make them do repetitive free throws. They just have to get up and knock it down."
On what she is learning about the team against zone defense:
"For us, it is all about player movement and ball movement. We can't stand. I thought in the beginning of the Stetson game we stood around a lot. I thought we got some easy looks, but we didn't make them. I didn't think we were rebounding very well; I didn't think we were cutting the gaps and penetrating the lanes. A lot of it was from penetration."
On if her intention was to make the other defense move:
"If we just stand there and pass and pass, the defense doesn't have to do really too much of anything. If we pass and cut and attack, somebody has to be open. We have to move the defense."
On if she is practicing with a certain defense:
"Pretty much. Sagging man and zones."
On how she plans on gaining consistency:
"I thought against Oklahoma State we started with a bang and then we settled. So, we just have to understand and maintain what we want at the beginning of the game, what sets we want and what defense we want. (We have to) make sure we do those. We will make adjustments, but the more pressure we get and the more tempo we get, the better we start off. We always want to make sure that we press you get into our flow first."
On the scouting report for Texas:
"(This is a) typical Texas team to me - athletic, they have kids that can shoot the three. They have a couple kids inside that are strong and have experience. I think Joyner Holmes is back, so that will give them another dimension. It is going to be a typical battle, I think, between a Tennessee team and a Texas team. Pretty mirrored and similar programs."
On if the experience of playing at Oklahoma state will help with the upcoming Texas game:
"Absolutely, they are two fairly similar teams, I think the environment we played in (at Oklahoma state), I think it will be like that at Texas, and being on the road, staying focused and getting a big win at Oklahoma State will definitely help us at Texas"
On the health of Kasiyahna Kushkituah and the team in general:
"Everybody's fine. Kasi is still still day to day; she's progressing but still day-to-day."
On Evina Westbrook and her role:
"For her, I just let it come. I think she knows when she should be attacking and when she should get somebody else the ball; she's really good at that. I don't want her to carry the burden of, 'You have to be our top scorer, and you have to be our point guard and get everybody in position.' I think she has done a great job of deciding when she can go and when she needs to give it up and get the team where they need to be."
On the Texas game last year:
"It was a great atmosphere. I think both teams battled defensively. (It was a) physical game, big presences inside. I thought our defense was the difference in the game for us, and I think we have got to play that type of defense in order to win on Sunday."
On how close the team is:
"If you watch the bench during games, our bench is really into it. The Oklahoma State game they were about on the court when we did something great, and if we continue to get excited about what everybody else does, then we are going to continue to do great things, and I think it's a selfless team right now. Do kids want to play more minutes? Absolutely. They're normal kids that have played all the time in high school, but if we can continue to get everybody to buy in to our team and what we need as a team, we will continue to do great things."
On importance of preparation for the Texas game:
"Well it is. We have had a pretty tough schedule on the road, and these next two games are huge for us. It kind of helps us prepare for the SEC play, and it does give us a measuring stick of where we are and where we need to be."
On if she is satisfied with the maturity of the freshman:
"I like their maturity. I like their energy. They ask questions, which I really like. They seem to understand things, but what they don't understand they get by with by playing hard. And they're not going to get everything right, but if they keep focusing and playing hard and just playing all out, great things will happen. So yes, I do like their energy."
On if she has seen the moment being too big for any of the freshman:
"No, not yet. We are not in the SEC yet, but not yet."
Sophomore Guard Evina Westbrook
On watching film on Texas: "We have gone over film and personnel, so we know what we are up against. We just have to get ready to come in and play on Sunday."
On first impressions of Texas:
"They are a different team than last year, and we are a different team from last year. They are strong; they rebound like crazy, so that will be an emphasis to make sure they don't get as many put backs and second chances."
On how Tennessee is different from last year:
"Just overall, the chemistry that we have and the love that we have for each other is just really different. Our energy that our young players bring for us is just tremendous. It is going to be important for us to bring as much energy as possible."
On her thoughts when UT was down 20 to Stetson:
"How we were playing wasn't us. The other team played a tremendous game and had a great first half against us. We aren't going to win games playing like that, period. Our younger players now know that. (We have to) do do a better job preparing ourselves coming in."
On if she could tell before the Stetson game the team wasn't focused:
"No, I couldn't tell. Everyone was focused, and I thought we were ready to play. We really couldn't get going on defense, so we have to do a better job of reeling it back in."
On slow starts:
"I think we need to have better energy defensively. We need to make sure the younger players aren't getting down on themselves too early. If we get down like that against Texas, it is almost impossible to comeback from that."
On playing Texas last year:
"It was a big game for me. The atmosphere was crazy, and the overall game itself was fun and we enjoyed it. Going to Texas is going to be a crazy atmosphere as well. We love playing here, but going there is going to be crazy, and the odds are against us so we need to be ready to play."
On having odds against them:
"It gives me a chip on my shoulder and something extra to play with. We are ready, and we are going to come in with the same energy as we did in the Bahamas."
On being an experienced player:
"I love it. I emphasize it and embrace it anytime I can. The younger players look up to me, and just being able to lead like I know how to is great for me. My teammates trust me, my coaches trust me, so I love it and embrace it. Any chance I get to lead, I will do so for my team."
On the team's free-throw shooting:
"We need to get to the basket as much as we can, especially if our shots aren't falling from the 3-point line. Free throws have been a key point from our coaches, so we have been getting extra free throws before practice and after practice and on the weekends. Everyone has been contributing anyway they can."
On passing vs scoring:
"I think whatever my team needs me to do; I just need to be as aggressive as I can so the other people can get going and started as well, because that is my job as a point guard."
On playing against zone defense:
"We really just don't need to get caught on the arc and get shot happy. We just have to get to the basket and draw fouls. That is our game, getting to the basket. And we can't shy away from that if teams are in a packed zone against us."
On UT men's and women's teams both being in the Top 10:
"We are very proud of our men's team; they are ranked very high. Coach Barnes has done a really good job with them, and they have worked hard for it. For us, we have also worked hard, but it doesn't stop there. We have to continue to work."
On road environments:
"We really just need to lock in. Going into someone else's house, you are already down 10 points. So, we have to be ready and not take anyone lightly, especially Texas. We have to be ready to come in and not be nervous."
On how the freshmen will react to an environment like Texas:
"All these kids have played in the McDonald's game, so they know how it is and they are super excited. But at the same time, they can't be overly excited and they can't do stuff that they usually don't do. They have to play like they know how to play."
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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