Kellie Harper Media Availability Recap (12/27/20)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee women's basketball head coach Kellie Harper took questions from the media on Sunday in a Zoom interview session that covered the Lady Vols' three games during the week ahead.

UT (5-1) will close out the pre-conference schedule with an in-state match-up vs. Lipscomb (3-2) at 7 p.m. ET on Monday (SEC Network). The Lady Bisons are led by former Lady Vol Lauren (Avant) Sumski and assisted by LVFL Ariel Massengale.

After welcoming Lipscomb, the Lady Vols open SEC action at No. 9/9 Texas A&M (8-0) on Thursday (6 p.m. CT / 7 ET, ESPNU) and host No. 13/12 Kentucky (7-1) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper

On the difficulty of the upcoming SEC schedule and how they'll use the Lipscomb game to go into conference play with momentum:
"Well, obviously for us, it's getting us back into the swing of things. We've had a pretty long break. I think it's been a good break for our team. I think they needed that break mentally. For everybody, it's just been a long, unusual, stressful year, so I think this has been good for them. But we'll use that game to try to sharpen up and make sure we come out and we're competing and just getting back in the swing of things in terms of playing games. Obviously, we want to come out and be sharp. We're not overlooking anybody. We want to come out and do what we need to do. And then looking ahead, you start SEC play with two really talented teams, and it's going to take great effort for us to get those wins."

On her evaluation of her team through six games:
"I like the way our team has responded. I like the way that we've shown competitiveness. I like where we're going. Obviously, I know we've got to get better at some things, but I think we can, and I think our players see that. I think they've bought into that, and it's just exciting. I enjoy coaching this team a lot, and for me and for our staff, when we get into practice, we're looking forward to how we're going to get them better, and that's a fun time for us."

On whether the team has returned to practice:
"Well, due to the calendar and how things are unusual this year, we actually won't get on the court together until tomorrow. Today, they'll be on their own. They'll be getting in the gym on their own, getting up shots and getting some workouts in, and then we'll have a little bit more than normal walk-through tomorrow. We'll get them moving quite a bit tomorrow. So actually, our first real practice won't be until after the Lipscomb game, so this will be a real challenge for our team in terms of being able to handle a scouting report on paper, you know, cramming for it the day of. I think it will be important for our team's growth and maturity."

On what she expects to see out of Lipscomb:
"I think the first thing that stands out is that they shoot a lot of threes. I think that's going to be a challenge for us to get our folks out guarding the 3-point line and making sure that it's not just our guards and that it's everyone on our team. That's the first thing that will stand out."

On whether she's been surprised by anyone over the first few games of the season:
"You know, people ask me that a lot. 'Has anyone surprised you? Has this team surprised you?' And really, my answer to that is no. And the reason is, we're with them daily for months, and we see what's happening, and therefore, there really aren't any surprises. When people play well, I get that question a lot, but they don't just magically play well in a game without us knowing it's going to happen. We can see that team chemistry, and we have a pretty good handle of where we are in terms of our offensive execution and our defensive execution based on practice. Now there are a few things where there might be some question marks. So, like our competitiveness in two close games, those things were really good. I was pleased with those things. I can't really say I was surprised, because I feel like our team has been locked in and has been competitive in practice. I think when you spend as much time with them as we do… you know, we're there every single day, every single shootaround, everything they're doing, so surprises just don't pop up for us very often."

On Keyen Green's injury and how she's still contributing to the team:
"It's tough. I will say, the one thing that I know Jon (Harper) mentioned to her is that if there's one person who's prepared to handle this, it's her. She's very mature; she's very focused on what she needs to do in that moment. It doesn't make it easier. It's a tough blow for her and for our team, but I tell you, the team has just rallied behind her. After our Indiana win, they immediately Facetimed her. They love her and hate that she's not out there on the court with them, and her voice will still be a strong voice. I think it's very hard when you're not playing to still have a voice. It takes a really special person to be able to continue to do that, and I think Keyen is that person. She'll still have a voice with this basketball team, and we want to get her around and with the team as much as possible. Obviously, she's got things she'll have to do now in terms of rehab, but we'll be there to support her every step of the way."

On how Kasiyahna Kushkituah has handled in the increase in minutes in Green's absence:
"I think Kasi is prepared. She's ready for that. I think she had several good weeks in the fall where she was playing really, really well and being a great presence for us in the paint, so I think we'll get her back to that. I think this is a great opportunity for her to get more low-block minutes, and I think that'll be really good for her but also for our basketball team."

On Jaiden McCoy's status:
"She's still day-to-day. We'll have to wait and see how she's doing. I saw her this morning, and it seems like she's doing better, but I would not expect to have her tomorrow night."

On whether she thinks taking these few days off will help the team in the long run:
"I tell you, I think they needed it. I think it's a long season, and it feels longer this year. Even though it's been a little shorter in terms of games, it's just been a lot. It just wears on you and it's draining when you don't know what's next. Our schedule was just completely thrown off at the beginning in terms of practices, and you know, their academic load was different. They didn't get to go home as much during the summer and fall as they normally do because of COVID, so I'm really happy that they were able to have that break. I think in the long run that's going to help us."

On whether it is hard to not think about things when she sees other programs, conferences shut down:
"When you see that, you naturally step back and think "wow, what's this going to look like in another month?' I think it does make you question things, but for us, the way we've kind of handled this is we'll make a plan for the week, and then we'll take it day by day. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. We don't know what's going to happen next week. All you can do is live in the moment that you're in and enjoy the time that we have.

"After our first game (this season) we told our players 'you know what, enjoy this, because we don't know how many of these we're going to actually have.' We talk about that. We talk about trying to take advantage of the time we are given on the court. We'll see what tomorrow brings."

On whether offense or defense is impacted more when a coach and team don't have normal preparation time due to schedule disruption:
"I think offense maybe would require more preparation in terms of together team practice, just making sure your flow works, your spacing, your timing. All of that matters, and that really requires practice. Defense requires practice, too, but we can adjust game plans and we can tweak things throughout the game to maybe help ourselves defensively. We can change things up and try to keep people off balance, but in terms of your offense you just need those reps."

On whether she finds herself taking away from defense to adjust to that:
"Basically, what we did this year to start the season is that we went heavy on our offense early on. Even in the fall, with the preparation of at any point we might get pulled for two weeks. And, so, what we wanted to do was get as much of that in as we could get in early so then we could just work on it throughout and do less teaching. Obviously, you put things in and you do have little additions here and there. I think our defense was behind a little bit to start the season, and it was because of that. We spent much more time on our offense because of the way this year was going to look."

On Lipscomb, Lauren (Avant) Sumski, Ariel Massengale and the Pat Summitt coaching tree:
"First off, I have so much respect for those two women. Lauren's done a great job. I have heard so many good things about her as a basketball coach, and I'm really proud of her. I really enjoy being around her and Ariel. They are fantastic ambassadors for Tennessee, and I'm really excited to bring them back over here for a game. In terms of Lipscomb, I'll have a more detailed answer for you in about three hours, but I know right now they are going to come in and they are going to be skilled, they are going to play hard and they're going to shoot a lot of threes. I think for us, the biggest thing that's going to stand out initially is we've got to guard the three-point line."

University of Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper

Players Mentioned

Keyen Green

Kasiyahna Kushkituah

Jaiden McCoy

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