Louisville vs. Murray State
November 29, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2011
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 1 
| AP Photo Gallery | Photo Gallery 3
Louisville Head Coach Jeff Walz
(On the win) "It was nice I thought we came out extremely well, we were focused. We played hard and it was nice to see us get off to such a great start."
(On other team shooting threes) "Yes, they do that. They like to press and run and they have the green light to dribble, drive and kick. Their post trails extremely well. I thought that we did very good job of being there on the catch and trying to force them to put the ball on the ground. In the second half, I thought we were very poor on discipline. We helped on the ball sides on the drives and they kicked to the corner for threes, things that we know we can't do. The problem is when you get up like we were you get some kids that start just playing and trying to get some steals and make some things happen. Unfortunately, we gave up eight threes in the second half."
(On overall player performances) "I thought everybody played well, I was pleased. I was very pleased with the way everyone played. I have tried to explain to all of our players that I can only play five at a time. It comes down to a point where I don't care when you are put in the game, you have got to take advantage of your playing time. There is no such thing as scrap minutes. I am coming in and picking up the slop, there is no such thing because I evaluate you the entire game. If you can't play when we are up 20 then what makes me think you can play when it is a four point game. I have kind of explained to them in general, don't come to me and say I hate playing this amount or I hate playing at the end of the game. It all counts to me. I thought they played extremely well today, I was very pleased with the emotion and the energy that they played with."
(On starting fast) "We have worked on that. Our problems have been in our first three or four games we have turned the ball over the first four or five trips and it is hard when you are down 8-0 or 6-0 and you are trying to get caught back up. At one point in time I looked at the stat sheet at eight minutes to go in the first half and we had turned the ball over four times. We shoot it well; I keep telling them that it is hard to shoot it if you turn it over."
(On Jude getting more playing time?) "I have been trying to play her, she just hasn't played well and I have told her that I am trying to get you minutes but she has to earn them to continue to get more. Tonight, she came out with a purpose and was focused and did good things."
(On preparation for Sunday) "We will start watching film tomorrow and start putting in a game plan on Thursday, so we will get Thursday, Friday and Saturday to prepare. They like to press and trap and we have to take care of the ball, that's what it comes down to. I thought we did a really good job at our place last year. We are going to turn the thing over 20-22 times a game as much as I hate to say no matter whom we play. If we can keep it to 18-24 or 25 then we are going to have a chance to win. I think that is pretty much the way it goes but we got to do it and I have stressed to our kids all year that if we turn the ball over we have to have dead ball turnovers. I would rather take a five second count or throw the ball into the stands where at least we can get back and set up a defense. What you don't want to do against them is have a live ball turnover that leads to a lay-up and gets them all excited. That is what they live on, they defend extremely well and rotate well and trap. We have to knock down some shots and take care of the ball."
(On preference of venue in Lexington) "No, it doesn't matter. The gym is the same size and the court is the same length. It is going to be a great crowd. It is a sold out game, which is fantastic. That is what you want."
(On both teams being ranked in the top 10) "It is going to be a great game, I have told our kids. I won't prepare for this game any differently than our Murray State game. It is the next game on my schedule and it will always be that way. I know for our fans and everybody, when it comes to the UK/U of L game they are ready to go at it and they are excited about it. I have never got into all of that and I am not going to. You win on Sunday, you lose on Sunday it is not going to make or break your season. For us, it is a non-conference game against a very good team that we are trying to get ourselves prepared as much as we can to move on. It's a very good challenge for us and there is no question win or lose we are going to learn a lot from it on Sunday."
(On Becky Burke reaching her 1000th point) "It's great; she has really worked hard over the years. She has really become a stand still three point shooter and I am really proud of how she has learned to take it to the basket. She drove in today and shot about a six footer, did a nice ball fake and pulled up from about 10-12 feet. Her game is starting to evolve; she has continued to work on ball handling which is one area she has to continue to grow forward with Tia Gibbs out. She wants to and she is very coachable right now and I am excited for her."
Senior guard Becky Burke
(On the quick start and lessons for inexperienced players) "It's definitely good to build a lead, that's one thing we have been concentrating on coming out strong from the start. I think we did that tonight. It's good to get everybody's feet wet because you don't know when someone will get in foul trouble or hurt. It's good to get everyone experience as much as possible."
(On reaching 1,000 career points) "Yes, I forgot to get into our press after I made the shot, I was kind of happy and I got yelled at. I knew I was really close, and people were telling me I needed a couple more. It is in an honor. I am not sure how many people have done it. It's definitely an honor to follow Monique and have two seniors achieve the same honor. There were so many great players before me. I am glad I got the opportunity to play enough minutes and have a big enough role on this team."
(On overlooking today's game for Sunday's game versus UK) "No we take it one game at a time. We have to, one game at a time we have been here for four years and there is always one game you look past, and that turns into a loss on your schedule. We're not looking past any games. From the minute that buzzer sounded, we were already talking about this weekend."
(On what the rivalry with UK means) "It's a big game for us. We are not going to go out and get embarrassed like we did our sophomore year. This is our last time playing UK in Lexington, so it's an extra incentive. It's our senior year; we are going to do everything we can to get a win."
(On if they have watched any of UK's games) "Not this year. We haven't really watched them. They play the same style they played last year, they have the same coaches. They will press you, get out and deny, run on you, and we know that. Our experienced players have to share with our freshman this week what to expect coming up. It's definitely something we have seen before like Texas A&M. It's on a different level though.
Senior Forward Monique Reid
(On starting with a 16-0 lead, and coming off the bench as an energy spark) "We have definitely been starting better. We had a good start over Florida State this weekend. We did a very good job; I just come in and try to do my part. I know my role and I try to do it to the best of my availability. I am a scorer, that's what I do."
(On getting experience for those who don't play as many minutes) "It's definitely good like Becky said. You don't know if Shoni (Schimmel) might get in foul trouble. They played through a lot, and like the last 10 minutes. Usually if they go on a run, he will sub them out. Tonight they got the opportunity to play. A lot of them took good advantage of it. Jude (Schimmel) played great defense, we need her to finish plays. Shelby (Harper) is Shelby. She can touch the ball and the whole crowd will cheer. Everybody loves Shelby. I was really proud of her tonight. Sherrone (Vails) was really enthusiastic again. Everybody did a good job tonight."
(On what the rivalry with UK means) "Sunday will be a huge rivalry, I can't wait. I am from Louisville and the rivalry is going to be crazy. I think Murray State prepared us a little bit because they press too. I am really excited about the game."
