Post-Game Quotes
November 28, 2008 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2008
Head Coach Tia Jackson
Opening Statement: "I'm really proud of our team, they came out and really put our defensive plan into play. I think we're buying into the fact that defense is going to win games for us. Seattle University came out and gave us a little test there in the first half and we had to make some adjustments because we had several people in foul trouble in the first half so we put in our second line. That wasn't exactly the game plan that we'd be in foul trouble in the first half but we found our composure and really gave them a taste of Husky basketball. One of the keys to the game was to play pulleys. We knew they were going to come at us with their defensive tenacity and they did that. That's what got them within six points of us. Like I said, really, really proud of our girls, 21 assists is something we can be really proud of."
On Changes in Expectations Over Four Games: "Our first game we didn't have a full roster. Laura hadn't been practicing and I got her in the starting lineup. It was a game day decision that I did that. She still had a pretty good showing her timing was off a little bit. Give Gonzaga a lot of credit, they carried very well, but I think we're starting to find our rhythm. Heidi had a little fall and we're a little nervous about what her future looks like for the next game. We could take a hit if we don't have her for Saturday."
On Team's Personality: "I think defense first is our signature. We definitely want to take advantage of hot hands and want to manipulate that if we can. If Sami gets hot we want to run plays for her, if Molly gets hot we want to keep going into her. Some days it's Laura's day and if it is we want to try to get it into her as much as we can until a team takes it away. Our defense is really who we are."
On Rebounding Issues: "Everyday we have rules in practice about missing our assignments on the box outs or missing our assignments going to the boards on the offensive end. We've got to buy into that. We're doing what we want defensively and that means teams aren't getting the shots that they want. We don't want to make a mistake like giving them an offensive board and another offensive opportunity for them. We've got to seal the deal on the defensive end and we've put a lot of focus in practice on that."
On Breanna Salley: "I'm trying to figure out why she didn't transfer to Washington. I mean she's fantastic. We knew coming in she didn't play in their first game but then she played against San Jose State and went for 21 and three-for-three from the three point line and I'm thinking who the heck is this kid and how do I not know about her. We knew she transferred in from Minnesota and she has a lot of experience. She's got one gear and that's hard. She goes extremely hard out there every time and is really just a fun kid to watch out there."
On Upcoming Game Against Clemson: "They're good, they're coming from a really strong conference in the ACC. I coached against them for two years and I'm very farmiliar with Kristi's style of coaching. She's got a ton of athletes so we expect it to be a battle."
Senior Michelle Augustavo:
On the game: "It was a very fun game I think our team did a great job of shooting the ball, that's obvious from the stats we had five players in double figures. It was very fun."
On the importance of offense with a defensive team: "I think we are definitely a more defensively minded team than last year. When I get out there I just try to do my role and my role on this team is to be a shooter. If I'm not shooting the ball I'm not following through with my role. I know I have to play defense out there, it's the first thing on my mind and that's something that I've really continued to try and work hard on because that's obviously not my strong suit."
On tonight's shooting performance: "For any shooter you have on nights and you have off nights. You just have to keep shooting the ball and I think fortunately this year I've been much more consistent than last year. I've just really worked a lot during the off season on being more consistent, taking better shots and making better decisions when I'm out there. You just have to keep shooting and you're definitely going to have an off night, but then you have to do other things to make up for it like getting to the post."
On being an explosive team: "I think that when we're on fire we're a really fun team to watch. Exciting and we have a lot of kids that are just soaking up everything and just learning. You can see that when it all comes together out there. I think that when we start Pac 10's we're going to be an unpredictable team. I think that's going to cause some problems for other teams. They will overlook us but we're a tough team so I think we're going to be alright."
On coming back from a loss: "I don't think that we ever quit, a few people say that in a few games we'll get up. I don't think that's the case we fight to the end. Our defense this year is much better than it was last year and people are just getting after it that there's much more excitement out there. People diving for loose balls and diving out of bounds taking charges I think it's just all those little intangibles that make us a tough team."
On playing Seattle University: "I do, it's a fun rivalry, we call it the Battle of Seattle when we're getting ready for it. We're friends with those girls so it's a little bitter sweet you feel a little bad but at the same time it's a great win for us. We wanted to prove a point that we are the best team in Seattle. It's fun those girls are good girls and they're a tough team."
Junior Sami Whitcomb
On team's offense: "We haven't been getting many so I think that was problematic because that was too much 1 on 1 stuff not enough passing and finding open people. Today's game was more of what we like to do where we like to go with that and I think we got 21 assists which is the most we've had all season. I think we want to be up temp and push the ball but I think we're always looking for each other, that's when we're at our best."
On the balanced score: "I think that if we're forgetting to look around for people that will cause problems. We're harder to guard this way. I mean of course we want people to have great games but if she only gets a few and other people are scoring that's probably better."
On tomorrow's game: "I think we're excited about it will be a good challenge and test for us because we are used to playing west coast teams. If we can play some good teams from the east coast that will be good for us."
Personal expectations for this team: "We've talked about it a lot, being our biggest goal. I don't know if everyone's familiar with that, we want to be top 4 in the Pac-10, at least 20 wins, and play in the NCAA tournament. Try and take it game to game, day to day, those are the most important ones with us."
On being an offensive player playing on a defensive team: "I think it's actually turned out for the best I think we like to put a lot of pressure on ourselves as offensive players. Sometimes that can affect how you perform, if you rely on defense then you aren't so worried about all your shots dropping or if you get a foul it doesn't matter as much and it takes a lot of the pressure off."
