Louisville vs. Portland
November 11, 2012 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2012
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Junior guard Shoni Schimmel
(On the different type of game this was as opposed to Texas A&M being ranked and level of intensity) "This game was a different game than Texas A&M for everybody because it was an easier game for us to get things going. They sat in zone for the most part, but when they did go to their man defense we had our set plays for that. I think that is what helped us against Texas A&M was the man offense. It was a good game to get under the belt, especially coming off of Friday, but we have to continue to go out and work."
(On being able to get everyone involved) "It is huge because we go out and do that everyday in practice, and for it to go over into the games is good. It is good for everyone to go out and get their minutes, work hard, and show what they are capable of."
(On the points being scored by the whole team as opposed to a few players) "We got different shots off the offense because we were running in transition. For us to get those easy buckets, granted we missed a lot, it is something we can keep working on. I would rather work on lay-ups then jump shots and everyone working to get open. It was easy for us to work on."
(On how close this team is, and compare them to your freshman year team) "We are all super close. We are one family on the court, and off the court. That helps us on the basketball court, and even life because we are like a family. We are sisters we are with each other every day. For us to be this close and to have that chemistry, it's like we are finishing each other's sentences. The chemistry is great for us because you can't teach that. Coach Walz can't do that and for us to do that as a team and work together and like each other it is great for us now and in the long run."
(On Monique Reid and when she will be back to playing basketball like before she got injured) Yeah we are taking it slowly but surely and letting her take her time. We need her more at the end of the season then we do now. We would rather her get better for later."
(On creating 30 turnovers for Portland and how important that is to your offense) "It is important for us because we get out in transition, and create easy buckets for everyone. We have to work on finishing, going straight up, and not worrying about getting blocked. You have to have confidence."
(On being able to pressure the ball more as opposed to Texas A&M) "Yeah we have so many different defenses. We play how we have to get a win for that night. For us to go out and play good defense is our main goal and it is what we are working on."
(On working on your turnover to assist ratio) "Growing up and having two years under my belt in college, you learn when to throw and not when to throw. Coach Walz and I talk about it on when there are certain times to throw it, or if that was a bad pass or something. Learning the game and watching film is important."
Sophomore guard Bria Smith
(On if concentration is the biggest factor to missed lay-ups) "Yes. I would say sometimes you just feel somebody behind you, but you have to stay focused and make your shots."
(On your second half performance, what was different then the first) "I think we just started pushing the ball more and getting after it. It was a combined effort from everyone, not just certain people. It felt good to get after it today."
(On having a few buckets in a row) "Yes, but I don't think it is a one person thing. This is a total team effort. It is not going to be a few people contributing."
(On Sara Hammond has improved since her freshman year) "I think she is focused more during the game. She knows what needs to do, but freshman year you are kind of unsure what to do. Now she knows what she needs to do, and she is doing it and scoring."
(On creating 30 turnovers for Portland and how important that is to your offense) "That is one thing we are focusing on more. We are getting our defense to create more offense for us. We are working on it everyday and getting after it."
Head Coach Jeff Walz
(On the team's pre-game objectives and if they were met) "Our one goal was to not turn the ball over more than 15 times, and if we did, for each one over 15 we were going to run on Tuesday. We had 10 at the end of the first half. Then we decided to take care of the basketball and we only turned it over three times in the second half, so I was really proud of them."
(On getting a lot of players involved in the game) "It was great. It's what we have to do. Like I told them at the end of the game at half court, `I'd love to be able to have every game like this. I'd love to be able to play everybody.' Mo's (Monique Reid) the only one that doesn't play 10 minutes or more. But, it's not realistic and I told them that. There will be games where some people get four or five minutes or might not play. But, they're going to have to pick their lip up off the floor and understand that I'm trying to do what's best to win basketball games for our team. The opportunities that they're going to get they have to take advantage of. I thought Sheronne Vails did a great job today. For her to get in there, play 22 minutes, get 13 points, three offensive boards, two assists and no turnovers, that's the most encouraging thing to me. Shawnta' Dyer missed some easy shots. She'll get going just like she did last year. But, Shawnta' goes 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. It's what we have to have. She ( Shawnta Dyer) comes up with three boards. Mo (Monique Reid) is the one I have got to get her going. We are trying to get her back to full strength. At the end there, Antonita (Slaughter) gets a steal there and throws it up to her (Monique Reid) and I'm not sure what she was doing. She looks behind her and then we turn the ball over. That's got to be a layup for us. So I've just got to get her back to have the confidence in her leg and knee so she can go full speed."
(On being pleased with the team after this game) "It's great. I think the first game (Texas A&M) was just a grind. I wasn't sure if we could score 50 points all season. It just shows you that we have some kids that can score the basketball. When you play a team like a Texas A&M with Kelsey Bone and some guards that are pretty athletic and pretty quick, it's going to be a challenge. We're going to have games where we are going to have to grind it out. It's going to have to be a 47-45 game. And then, there's going to be games like I think we showed today that we can put some points on the board. I was really excited about that. I am really pleased with Bria Smith and Megan (Deines). Those are two that I know worked their tail off all summer on their shot and I think it showed today. Bria goes 5-for-8 and she missed two layups; one in the first half and one in the second. She could have easily been 7-of-8 from the field. Those are things that we have to work on Tuesday. I thought Sara Hammond played well again. But again, I think she missed two layups. Those are opportunities that we make sure we convert as we start going forward."
(On what causes the missed la ups) "I wish I knew. I don't know. Bria (Smith) uses her right hand on the left side of the basket. Sara (Hammond) uses her left hand on the right side of the basket. Where if they used their correct hand because there is some contact, if you use the wrong hand on the wrong side it's going to alter things."
(On seeing practice translate well into the game) "Yeah I did. For her (Shoni Schimmel), I got on her Friday after the game. She's got to shoot a pull up jump shot because she drove into the paint against a 6'4 kid on Friday night and missed some shots. Tonight I was really impressed with the fact that she was shooting some pull up jumpers. She's very good at that. She's a very talented basketball player. She goes 2-of-6 from the three-point line and had two there at the end that were really good shots that just didn't fall. But, I was pleased with that. I think at one point she had one assist and three turnovers and she corrected that in the second half. I said on the radio, she comes up with four assists but she could have easily had seven if we make some layups. That's one thing I keep talking about. Bria (Smith) misses her one pass for the layup and she gets her one offensive board because she missed it and then flips it in over her head. So, she got the opportunity to pad her stats up."
(On having every player score points) "If we can do that, that'd be great. Now, I'm not expecting that every night. I'm not expecting us to have five players in double figures every night. I think Friday night is more of what we are going to have. I'm going to have to have Shoni (Schimmel) in the game for 35 minutes. Jude (Schimmel) I thought did a really good job again tonight. Jude (Schimmel) is going to be playing 20 minutes plus a game. I'm really impressed with how she's handled things. I thought Shelby (Harper) came in and did a really nice job for us again. I'm not going to be able to play as many people as many minutes. What I've got to do is when I give them their five to 10 to eight minutes; they're going to have to perform for us. They're going to have to give us something."
(On the upcoming road schedule) "It's going to be a challenge for us. I think it's going to show a lot of our character. Austin Peay is not an easy place to play. (Head Coach) Carrie Daniels has done a really good job down there. I think they've gone to the NCAA Tournament two of the last three years. And then we are down in Puerto Vallarta. I don't think anybody is complaining. It's going to be a nice trip but we've got a very talented Central Florida team. If we can get past that we're either going to play Gonzaga or Missouri State, who we went to the wire with last year at their place to win. We are going to have some very challenging basketball games. I think it's going to tell a lot about us. We're going to UT-Martin. Which I'm telling you right now people, that's one I'm worried about. It's going to be a ballgame. They've got two great guards that can shoot the basketball. I didn't put together a schedule where we roll out there and beat people by 50 every night. So, we're going to find out a lot about our team."
(On Megan Deines stepping in and playing well) "I think it says a lot. I'm not sure where you get veteran team from. I start one junior, three sophomores, and a freshman; I wish they'd be veterans. She was forced into this but she's earned it. She's definitely performed well. But, with Tia Gibbs out and Asia Taylor out she has got to go in there and play for us. I thought tonight she did a really good job. She's a tough kid. I'm on her pretty hard but that comes from the direction of her dad and her mom. They flat out told me, `Stay on her. Push her. Chew her.' And she responds to it. I told her that at halftime. She's a kid I can lay into if I need to and that's what gets her going. I've got to figure out what motivates each kid. And for her, she wants me challenging her. And there's some that I've got to put my arm around them and talk to them and say, `let's go.' That's part of my job. I've got to figure out what's going to get each kid going."
