Louisville vs. Villanova
March 04, 2008 | Women's Basketball
March 4, 2008
Senior Patrika Barlow
(Talk about the momentum with winning 8 out of 9 games) "We would have liked to have made it nine because we had a big lead against West Virginia, the 13th ranked team, but just couldn't pull it out. We have been playing hard and it's going to pay off going into the tournament. We had a tough beginning in the Big East but that prepared and that's why were playing as well as we are now.
(You are 1-5 against ranked teams, do you need another win for confidence?) "Yes and no. When you look at every single one of those games we played with every single team and had a chance to win every game. We came out and played great against Connecticut - they are a good team, but lost by 21. We had West Virginia and Rutgers on the road but we played with every single one of them. It would help to have those wins but we will try to get them in the conference tournament."
(On your last game)"It feels a lot better ending with a win. It was tough going out there in the beginning and I kind of lost it a little bit in the locker room with coach. But we still have a lot of games left so I'm not too worried about it."
Head Coach Jeff Walz
(On the defense in the second half) "We just tried to get our kids a little more excited, instead of being passive. We moved the press up and we decided to start trapping on the first inbounds pass. Candyce did a great job of going to the trap. We rotated up and we got a few big steals and did a great job when they threw out of it. We attacked them and back tipped. In the second half, I think we scored every time we got the steal. If you can do that, it puts some pressure on your opponent.
(On winning eight of the last nine going into the BIG EAST Tournament) "I thought tonight our second half was the best half of basketball we've played in the past eight or nine games. It was the first time that they played the way I wanted them to play. We made the tempo of the game, our speed allowed us to force them into some shots. There were a couple of shots at the three-point line that were contested. We were able to dictate everything that they did in the second half."
(On Chauntise's second half) "At halftime, I told her to smile. I told her we need you to come out and play hard and she did. She came out and she defended and did a pretty good job on some very good three-point shooters. In the post, she finally just sat down and demanded the ball. Our guards probably did the best job we've done all year of throwing the ball into the post. I was really proud of how strong she took it to the basket."
"Now we're getting prepared for the first game on Saturday. I'm really pleased with the effort that every one of these young ladies has given us this year. I think they've accepted some change. They've accepted a new style of play. I think they've embraced it and enjoyed the way we've tried to play this entire season. I'm pleased with them. We still have some things to work on. The highlight tonight for me is Angel McCoughtry with five assists and one turnover. In practice yesterday, I told her she wasn't allowed to shoot. Whenever we went five on five, I told her and everybody else on the team that she couldn't shoot. The first three or four possessions, it was a struggle for her because she's so used to looking to score. After that she saw how easy it was to get her teammates open. And then today in the first three possessions, Angel had two assists. I really think she's starting to grow and develop as a player and that was really exciting for me to see her come out and get five assists and one turnover."
