Lady Vols vs. Georgia Postgame Quotes

Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper

Opening Statement...
"This was a fun day. Obviously, we got to wear our Summitt blue jerseys. We were excited to get those on. It was an opportunity to show those off to our fans. We had a great crowd; we're really grateful for our fans and the support that they continue to give us. There was a lot of energy in the building today, and I am excited about the win. That's a tough win to get. That is a very physical team, and they are the kind of team that is demanding. I'm really proud of our team for coming out here and winning."

On today's quick start…
"I thought we had great focus to start. I thought we were able to get good looks. I thought we handled (the ball) well early; we had some offensive boards. I thought we had good ball movement and good pace. At the same time, we were getting good stops at a really good clip on the other end, so things were working. I loved our focus and our lock-in. Defensively, we saw some things - players really knowing the scouting report, just some little details I was really proud of to start that game."

On Rickea Jackson's consistency to produce points…
"She's been very consistent. It's who she is. Obviously, we need that, and we need her to be consistent. If I had one critique of her tonight, I would've liked her to have taken a couple of more shots. I thought looking for a couple more opportunities maybe. She's so fun to watch, and like Jo (Jordan Walker) said, she makes it look effortless at times, but I'm really proud of her and how she's playing and how consistent she's being. Again, not just in games but in practices."

On how important aggressiveness is…
"I think by nature, our team is aggressive. When we lose that, we kind of lose ourselves a little bit. We have to continue to play that way. I think that helps with our ball movement, our paint touches. It helps on the boards, it helps us contest shots, it helps us defend quicker. That mentality is really important for this basketball team."

On Coach Harper's hope and message to Lady Vol fans about the big games coming up…
"First off, I'm so proud of our fans, and the crowd today was amazing. We walked out, and I was so excited to see so many people there. A lot of them had their blue on, with the anticipation of the jerseys. We've got a lot of big games coming up. We've got a big game on Thursday. I think this is a team that our fans can really get behind and enjoy watching and pulling for. We have some dynamic players, but we are not perfect, so we are going to keep it interesting I'm sure, that seems to be what we do. I hope our fans enjoy it and have fun. There are a lot of entertaining things going on around the game as well, so it's just a fun atmosphere, a fun thing to be a part of here in Knoxville."

On describing the team's identity…
"We obviously, have a couple of superstars with Rickea (Jackson) and Jordan (Horston), but I think our identity is our balance, to be honest with you. We have go-to players, but we have other members on this team that can step up and make plays, whether that's scoring, assisting, rebounding, defending, we have a lot of players that are producing. I think that's who we are. I think aggressive is who we are. We are trending in the right direction on the rebounding. We were a team to be contented with on the boards; our pace helps us. I think we know who we are, and to be the best us, we have to continue to do those things."

On building on offensive patience…
"Going in, I knew it was going to be tough. I knew it was going to be hard. We put in a few wrinkles just to give our players some different looks. I thought our team had a couple good days of prep in terms of getting ready for this game, because it's very unique. We've seen other zones, but this zone is a little bit unique in its style, so we were trying to have a quick turnaround and get our players ready. We didn't get to practice much on Friday, actually, hardly any, because of the late night, but I thought Saturday's prep was really good, and I think that carried over for us offensively, minus the turnovers."

On withstanding Georgia's fourth quarter run, and what to work on from this game…
"Well, I thought we got a little passive at times. In the second half in particular, we weren't as aggressive as we needed to be. We didn't have the attack that we needed to be and have. We lost a little bit of pace, but we were able to make a big bucket when we needed it. We were able to get a big stop if we needed it. I think that the bottom line today is that we were able to come out of here on top. We knew going into it, it was going to be a physical game. Obviously, there are things we have got to work on. We knew they were a team that turns their opponent over. We knew that. Still more than I wanted to see for the day, and the offensive rebounding for us was lower than we needed to see. So, those were the two big areas we have to walk away and really look at ourselves and what we can do better."

On getting the win today and continuing to honor Pat Summitt's legacy…
"Well, first off, I love the jerseys. I love the color. I am so proud it is Summitt blue. It's a shout out to also to Joan Cronan as well, when she was a coach here, utilizing the blue in the jerseys. I think it's something the Lady Vol brand, the Lady Vols, the university has really embraced as part of who we are, and it's just a really cool thing today to be able to put on that jersey."

On Candace Parker's appearance at the game and her impact on the program…
"Yeah, first off, we love Candace (Parker) and love that she continues to be a part of this program. She's one of the greatest to do it ever, and she is ours. We love her, and what I'm always reminded of when she comes back is how much she loves this program. And I know she was really close to Pat (Summitt), as so many of us were. I know that had a special relationship. She also has that relationship with the program. She loves the program. She loves the university. I know she is busy, and I know how she has a lot of things going on. I understand the commitment to be here for the weekend and obviously, see Chris (Lofton) in his jersey retirement. I am so proud of her, but so happy that she is part of our family."

On the effect Candace Parker has on her team when she gets to spend time with them…
"Well, there were a lot of photo ops in the locker room after the game. She got to go in and see the team. She got to come watch practice. I think it's just a reminder of who we are, and it's a reminder of the pursuit of excellence, tradition, and the expectations here. It also reminds them who their family is, and that is a cool family member."

On today's low production on offensive rebounding and how to improve upon it…
"Well, we went in at halftime and we had six. I thought six was low at halftime for us. Obviously, to only come up with one is the second half, that wasn't good and it stunted a little bit of our offensive production in the fourth quarter where we didn't make all the threes. I think we just have to be mindful of effort, execution, and again, I thought we got a little passive. Sometimes when you get a little passive, you stand around a little bit more, you start watching a little bit more, you know. We are best when we are active."

On Jillian Hollingshead's progression as a player...
"Yeah, I'm really excited about her. Today was a little tougher for our post players to have opportunities. They just limit your post touches tremendously and post opportunities, so it's going to be hard for them to get a lot of good looks. Jillian is doing a really good job of coming into practice every day and working to get better and we're seeing it. She can score; she's got skills. I think her defense has improved in the last few weeks, so I'm excited about that. And then she's rebounding well. She had eight or nine in the last game. I'm just proud of her. I think she gives us a different look and plays well with her teammates."

On what the 'We Back Pat' game means to this program...
"That's a big question. The game in itself is an initiative to keep Pat's fight alive and to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's, as well as to support her foundation. That's the answer, right? But I think for the program, it's just one more opportunity for us to celebrate our coach, just to be reminded of who she was and what she stood for. I think it's hard for former players; it's hard for fans to start thinking about how long we've been missing her. This is just one more way to keep that spirit alive."

On how important it's been for their success in SEC play to have players settling into their roles...
"I think, no doubt, that it's a big part of our success during conference play - getting our players comfortable with what they need to be doing. And I think they're all proud of where their production is and where it can continue to be. I think they all feel comfortable with that as well. We're continuing to try and put each and every player that steps out onto the court in position to be successful. We want them doing things that they're good at so they can find success. They're also kind of embracing who they are and what their roles are for this team. And they're not just embracing their own roles, they're embracing their teammates' roles. They know to get the ball to Rickea Jackson, they understand where she needs the ball. They understand what Jordan Walker is doing for us right now. She is tough as nails right now and handling the ball, taking charges, guarding the best perimeter player, rebounding - she's doing a lot for us."

Graduate Guard Jordan Walker

On the energy today after having Candace Parker on courtside along with wearing Summit blue jerseys…
"I think it is really important, and it is definitely special. I thought that it was awesome that they could come back, especially Candace Parker. We know she is busy with her own schedule, but to just make time to come back and talk to us, it's an amazing feeling. I think it says a lot about the program and who we are as people. The energy today was awesome. Coach Harper said you could really feel it on the court, so shout out to the fans for coming and bringing that energy."

On how the players could withstand the second half coming out with a win after such a rough game…
"Well the SEC games, I think they're all a battle, but obviously, some are more physical than others. I just think that this just speaks to our teammates, staying composed and trying to keep our composure. You know, that's something that we work on every game, just those tough moments and being able to come out on top says a lot about us."

On the number of assists Jordan Walker had in this game…
"I guess I should have started that sooner. But it was really just me trying to get my teammates open, you know, just setting them up where they can score. They knock down shots, so it makes it easier for me to just get it to them."

Junior Guard/Forward Tess Darby

On hitting threes…
"In the locker room at halftime, we were talking about coming out stronger in the third quarter. That's one of the things that we kind of struggled on. So just hitting the open threes and getting the energy and momentum coming our way. But you also have to respect everyone, that goes to show that anyone and everyone on our team can step up and shoot on them."

On playing Florida for a second time…
"I think we've learned a lot from each SEC opponent. Every SEC opponent is so different in the way they play, but we also have to respect everyone and we know that. Just looking at it like it's the next person up and hopefully just coming out with a win."

Georgia Head Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson

Opening Statement...
"Today's been a tough day for the Georgia family and the Georgia football program. One of the players, Devon Willick, and a young lady, Chandler LeCroy, lost their lives. So, that's a tragedy. Our thoughts are out to Coach Smart. I already texted him and sent prayers to him and obviously, those families are hurting. And then there's two other people - their names aren't out yet - that were in the accident, and just know our thoughts and prayers are with them."

On how Georgia turned the game around after the first quarter...
"I was kind of just saying while coming in, when I took the job, it was kind of like I had to bring a bunch of people in. I mean, it wasn't like, 'Here it is, it's Georgia.' But when I played for Georgia, we were loaded. So, I feel a lot of these young people haven't played here at all, you know? It's a lot of intimidation and the fans are amazing here. The atmosphere is amazing, and I think it just kind of got off to that. And you could tell we were getting shots off, but we were missing. We came last night and shot a little bit, but I think their nerves got under them a little bit. And then we finally in the second half really got a good flow, or I should say the second quarter because, you know, we only allowed them 12 points. So defensively, we did a good job in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter."

On her message to the team at halftime...
"I just wanted them to compete, like just get out there and compete. And an old dog, like myself, understands what the rivalry is and was. Obviously, Pat Head Summitt and Andy Landers, they were two of the top coaches in the country back in the day in this rivalry, so I just really kind of got into them to say, 'Please compete like this. This is important. It's more about the name of the shirt than it is about you as an individual.' I just really kind of said we've got to get out there and compete no matter what. We've got to finish this game the Georgia way."

On how difficult it is to contain players like Rikea Jackson...
"I think it was more in our press and her diving after they skipped it out, her getting those dives from the high post and getting in there on offensive rebounds. I don't know how many offensive rebounds she had. So, we did a great job with her defensively, boxing her out, because she's an offensive rebounding monster. She does a great job for them, but obviously, she's one of the best players in the league."

On coaching against Kellie Harper...
"Actually, Kellie coached at Missouri State, and I coached at Missouri State also, so we both have some banners up in there. Obviously, I have high respect for her and her family and her husband and her staff. But I kind of mentioned that to our team before we came, like it's no surprise that Tennessee hired one of theirs and Georgia hired one of theirs. So it's kind of cool that they brought us back. Neither of us are those coaches (Andy Landers and Pat Summitt), neither of us will ever win that many games in our lifetime, because they both started really young. I mean, they started at 22 years old. They started those wins real early, but I know that she and I are both very proud of our programs. You want to do well for the brand and the brand that Pat made for Kellie and the brand that Andy made for us and me. We both have much pride for our programs."

On how the team plans to spend its time before the next game...
"We're gonna spend it pretty much doing everything we do. I mean, obviously this is their second week of school coming back after the break, so I think every program that gets a week off is going to give them a little bit of rest and then really define and work on skill development and work on the things that we need to get better at. I think every school does the same thing."