Louisville vs. Pittsburgh
February 28, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 28, 2009
Louisville Head Coach Jeff Walz
(On the senior day event)
"This was actually one of the easiest senior days that I have had to deal with in my career. It was only easy for the simple fact that we only had two seniors instead of four or five. We did not have to worry about changing our line up because we only have two seniors and we run them into the ground. We knew they were going to play. We had a nice ceremony before the game started and at eight minutes (before tip-off) and told them we have a game to play. I thought they got their focus back and really did an outstanding job of coming out and playing well. I thought this was one of the best offensive games Candyce Bingham has played all year. We really needed her because Angel was struggling in the first half."
(On seniors taking care of business)
"That is what they do so well and there is a reason that they are both going to be drafted. Angel has a very good shot of being the first pick in the draft. They both come out and play hard and that is what great players do. I am hoping that is what my freshman start to pick up from those two. You are not going to get to play with Angel for three more years, she is graduating and Candyce is graduating. I really want my freshman to understand how hard those two have worked to get to be as good as they are."
(On support gained by high profile seniors)
"It makes it a lot easier. What I am hoping is we get a lot of people involved. Des (Deseree' Byrd) is just not a typical point guard. I hope that everybody comes to see her now. She has a chance to be the one everyone asks, have you seen Des play? The progress she made from last year to this year, no one can believe she is our starting point guard. She has done it the entire year. She plays 33 minutes and finishes with six assists and one turnover. In the first half she really kept us in the game, making big baskets and nice passes. I am hoping that Des might be that next one that everyone wants to watch play. Angel, she is funny and has the personality. When she steps on the floor, she plays with so much passion."
(On Pittsburgh's height advantage)
"I thought we did a very good job of executing our set plays. Angel she attacked and when two or three came on her she hit our post players for some open layups. Keshia Hines caught the ball better than she has all year. She was able to face the pass that Angel gave to her across the lane which was a big time pass and a big time catch. If Keshia can continue to do for us what she has been we will have a presence. Gwen only played five minutes, but Gwen is getting a little tired. She has been playing for five or six months straight because volleyball starts in August. She did some nice things and she had a big offense board as the shot clock was expiring. We need Gwen to get about 10 to 12 minutes a game for us in the post and Keshia to continue to improve."
Head Coach Agnus Beranato
"First I want to congratulate them (Louisville), it was a great win for them. Their seniors really stepped up big. You have Angel McCoughtry who ended up with 22 points and Candyce Bingham had 26 points, which is double her average. Sometimes it is tough to do that in big games and it was senior night tonight. They did and it was an emotional night for them. They had a great crowd and it was a great night for them."
(On being prepared for Louisville)
"I do not think we were unprepared. I felt that we were prepared for the press. I am just really disappointed in our turnovers. Our turnovers turned into transition buckets. It is pretty obvious with the second chance points. They had 21 points off turnovers and then had 22 points off the glass, which is unacceptable. They had 44 points in the paint and I do not think anything was unexpected, I think it is disappointing. We were disappointed in our lack of focus and handling their pressure as well as handling the ball."
(On preparation for next contest)
"We have one day back before we play on Monday night. We play St. Johns and that will be a tough game. My confidence is still up, I really like my team. It is our senior night for Shavonte Zellous and Xenia Stewart. They brought this team from nowhere and now we are third place in the BIG EAST. We have a double first round bye and a second round bye. I just think that is something you really have to look forward to. For us I hope we get the offensive performance, 26 and 22 points from Tay (Shavonte) and Z (Xenia), like they had from Candyce and Angel, then I think we will be okay. We have practice tomorrow morning and we are not going to go into panic mood. It was a good game and they are a Top 10 team. They had a great crowd tonight and I thought they handled their busy very well."
