March 27, 2004
Head Coach Mark French overview...
I want to congratulate UConn. This was a hard-fought game. UConn responded well to our pressure. We couldn't quite keep them off the glass. I am tremendously proud of our women. They weren't intimidated by UConn one little bit. They represented our university and community very well.
Head Coach Mark French on his seniors (April McDivitt, Lindsay Taylor, Lisa Willett)...
We're going to be talking about these players for a long time. This team left a legacy, which our seniors are responsible for. Our seniors provided leadership. Our hometown girl Lisa (Willett) really stepped up, and that was fun to watch. We'll miss the three of them.
Head Coach Mark French on the UConn defense...
That's a great defensive team. They are very, very good, both offensively and defensively. There were no easy shots for us tonight, and very few second-chance opportunities. They're solid with technique in zone and player-to-player.
Head Coach Mark French on defending Diana Taurasi...
Brandy (Richardson) showed her great heart and athleticism today. Brandy and Lisa (Willett) d'd it up. They were outstanding on Taurasi, but maybe the stats don't show it. We took away some things tonight and made Taurasi step up.
Head Coach Mark French on UConn's Jessica Moore...
Moore is fabulous. Her defense and rebounding are spectacular. Jessica Moore did things UConn needed her to do at that moment.
|
|
 |
April McDivitt on how this game differed from previous Tennessee games...
I get this question that question a lot. I'm thankful for my experience at Tennessee. It was neat to go to the Final Four. But it was fun being here playing in front of this sold out arena with this Gauchos team.
April McDivitt on her effort and performance...
It's hard when you don't get the end result. It's hard to think individually. I play on a team. I just know that every single one of these players gave it their all tonight.
Kristen Mann on whether UCSB proved they belonged here...
I think so. I thought we played really well tonight. It's hard. We left it all on the floor. A lot of people were expecting us to get blown out. The frustrating part was that we didn't get respect coming in.
Lindsay Taylor on the way UConn defended her...
They defended me the same as all the other teams have. Tripled teamed. Double teamed. People try to be physical and I'm used to that. I got the ball in the post where I wanted it. Just didn't make the shots. The shots didn't fall.
Head Coach Geno Auriemma on playing UC Santa Barbara...
I'm worn out. That team takes a lot out of you and I didn't even play. As I told the players in the locker room after the game; I don't think it was a great game. In terms of artistically, it was not a masterpiece. It was a pretty great win. The shots were really hard to come by. Both teams played really, really hard defensively. It was a very physical game to win and I think that our players really showed what they are made of in the last five minutes. I'm real proud of them right now.
Diana Taurasi on the close game at the end......
I don't think we panicked at all. We've been in that situation a couple of times. When you see it, I don't think you start to panic.
Diana Taurasi on facing UCSB's April McDivitt...
She is a competitor. She showed it today. Until the last four seconds when she fouled out; she was trying to get a steal. That just shows you what kind of player she is. Every time she is on the floor, she just gives you 110 percent. I think it kind of rubbed off on her team. She's tough.
Diana Taurasi on breaking Jen Rizzotti's career assist record at Connecticut...
Whenever you break a record it is kind of special. This record is a little bit different because you need other players around you. I've been fortunate for four years to play with tremendously talented players.
Barbara Turner on meeting Penn State in the East Regional on Monday...
We know that they are a good team. At this point, every team is good. We just look forward to playing.
Head Coach Geno Auriemma on when he knew that Connecticut was in control of the game...
When we got up ten with like four seconds to go. There were a lot of things happening in the game that never made you feel real comfortable. I don't think that we were ever in control of the game; ever. Obviously that is a credit to them and how hard they compete.
Head Coach Geno Auriemma on defending UCSB center Lindsay Taylor...
We tried to not stay in the same defense for a real long time. It's kind of a little chess match. Every time we would do something (change defensively), they (UCSB) would do something. Every time we'd make a change, they'd make a change. We were kind of always adjusting to each other. That is why in these situations, the players decide what the outcome is going to be. I don't think you can play one way (against Taylor).
