Louisville vs. Providence
January 09, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2010
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Louisville Head Coach Jeff Walz
(On the first eight minutes of the game) "We were taking care of the basketball. We were passing the ball really well. That has really been a problem of ours the entire season. We're pushing the ball in transition, we're making the extra pass, and we're getting some really good shots. I thought we played some of our best basketball the first eight minutes and the last seven of the game."
(On not allowing a rebound the first eight minutes of the game) "We did a great job. We shot the ball well, which is what I try to stress to our team. What got them back in the game was we started missing shots, and then, losing people in transition, which has been a problem for us this entire season. We're working hard on it. The first eight minutes, we shot it well and were able to set our press up. When you can do that, it is easy to match up, and know who you've got after they break the press."
(On Providence coming back in the game) "We missed some shots and we got to the point where we missed some free throws, and missed a layup or two. I tell our kids that we are trying to get past the point where we make three or four great plays and then follow it up with three terrible plays. Like I tell them, you don't have to make every play great. Make three or four great ones, and then make three or four average ones. It ends up that we get beat and turn it over. All of the sudden, a 17 point lead is down to five because we get frustrated with ourselves and we get down. That is what we really have to work on, to understand that things are going to happen, but we can't let one turn into two or two turn into three."
(On the focus on defense) "When we do that, we try to make sure we know where their shooters are on the court. We lost her, (Chelsea Marandola), three times and she made three 3-pointers, but the other four we made her shoot and we were there. Again, we're young but what I keep telling them is, there has to come a point in time, where you get enough experience and I can't keep saying that you're young. Hopefully, we can continue to grow from this, you look at our scoring. We have Mo, (Monique Reid), for 12, who is a sophomore. Becky (Burke) with 18 is a sophomore, and 13 for (Nikki) Burton, who is a freshman. Then there is Keshia (Hines), a junior who scored 13 for us. We've got a lot of young kids who are starting to produce and its really exciting for us."
Sophomore Becky Burke
(On the press being successful) "We scored which allowed us to set up our mad dog press and get traps. They couldn't really handle our press in the beginning."
(On Providence's Chelsea Marandola) "She's a really great player. She can do a little bit of everything. She's a really great shooter. She can pull up and then she can take it all the way to the basket. She's quick and strong, so she's a really great player."
(On tough stretch of opponents coming up) "That's the BIG EAST for you right there. The whole BIG EAST conference is tough. There is no game where you are going to come out and win easily. Like tonight, they came back in a matter of minutes. We know we have to focus on one game at a time. We're going to go to Georgetown and try to come out with a win there and steal one on the road. Then we're going to come back and get ready for Notre Dame. We're not looking past anybody because we're not the type of team that can do that right now."
Junior Keshia Hines
(On allowing 0 rebounds in the first eight minutes) "One of our goals today was offensive rebounds. Our goal was to keep them under a certain number. We wanted to keep them under 12 offensive rebounds. We had to buckle down and box out, which is something we struggle with. We've been working on that the last couple of days in practice so rebounding was a big key for us tonight."
(On allowing Providence to come back) "We just started turning the ball over more. Like Becky (Burke) said we were making shots and we were happy, but once we started missing them our confidence got low and we let them back in the game. We stopped playing hard and that was the key."
Freshman Nikki Burton
(On her key to the game) "My key was to use my athleticism. Coach tells me that every day. He says I put it to waste if I'm not all over the court, trying to play hard, trying to get steals, and playing defense. So that is what I was out there trying to do."
