Jan. 27, 2010

Opening Statement
"Starting with our Georgia game, I thought we played pretty well down the stretch, did a lot of good things, we were up four. Things did not work out for us. A little disappointed in how that game ended, but we're learning from it and we'll move on. At LSU, I thought that would be the type of game it was. It was two teams that really played hard. LSU, defensively, they really get up on you. We were just not as comfortable in the first half. I thought their pressure bothered us. I think we settled down at halftime. In the second half, it was imperative that we make a run. I was just really pleased with how we stepped up and opened up that game, it was a little later than I would've liked. I was really pleased with our inside play. I think our post game, in that particular game, was really, very big, but our guards did a great job of getting the ball inside as well. We're getting ready to play Auburn on Thursday. Certainly, with the talent that they have, [Alli] Smalley and [Keke] Carrier, they're the two players that really make that team go. I think their leadership is there. It's going to be a good challenge as they come in here. Kelley Cain is going to have to be on her A game defensively and offensively."

Can you talk about your starting line-up? What's the thinking about how you're going to start out?
"I wanted to get Glory [Johnson] in the line-up and I just didn't feel like she was as comfortable in her face-up game as she is in getting paint points. I wanted to put her in that position. We'll have Kelley in the paint as well. With Keke, she's really going to have to play solid defense. Bring Lyssi [Brewer] off the bench. People make so much of who the starters are. You can change that in the matter of five seconds or five minutes. I just feel a little better right now to get Glory in the paint as opposed to facing up early."

There are only three teams in the league in the AP poll this week, are you worried that the ripple effect will extend all the way to the tournament with the way you're all just chopping each other up?
"As a league, we are right now, we're seeing a lot of teams not play well one night, play well the next night, consistency. How many teams are they going to take? I have no idea, it's way too early to think about that. All we can do, as I told our team, is we've got to control our destiny in this league and we've got to be ready to play every night. That's the only thing I know how to do as a coach is to make sure we get focused every night and try to win every game."

Can you talk about Keke Carrier and what you've seen in her on film?
"She's very improved. I think she's in much better condition getting up and down. A lot like Kelley, she knows her ability to score in the paint is important for her team. She plays within herself in regard to that. I think just being in better shape, running the floor harder and looking to score. That's going to be a great match-up to watch. I'm very anxious to see how we match-up with her. My thought is we may have to rotate some, Kelley and Lyssi on that."

Can you talk a little bit about Taber Spani as she's dealing with turf toe and what her status is?
"What Jenny Moshak, our athletic trainer, has recommended, is it is what it is and it can be very, very painful. We try to rest her as much as we can. She is getting in some reps in practice. The one thing I'm thinking about now with Taber because she is a very, very skilled player, she can shoot the long range three-ball, just playing her on the perimeter. Yesterday, I talked to my staff and talked to Taber and I want to leave her in the high post area as opposed to playing her all over the floor. I think that will give her a better opportunity to get some open looks and to play in the high-low game with Kelley or Lyssi or Glory and it will also help her rebounding. She has a hard time getting from playing long-range three ball to being able to get to the post and rebound. We're going to try and take that approach and play her at the high post."

That was part of her appeal, that she has that versatility of playing multiple positions.
"She is very, very versatile, but what she's dealing with right now, she's not as mobile out on the floor. That's the reason I told her yesterday, I just think it's going to be important for her to get touches, she's a great passer. Hopefully this will benefit her as well as our basketball team."

Can you talk about your match-up with South Carolina on Sunday on the road?
"I'm sure they'll have a great crowd. Everywhere we go, that's what has happened. They played us tough here and I would expect the same thing. Again, they've got the inside game. I think Kelsey Bone is getting better and better. It's going to be important that we come ready to play and take care of the basketball. Defensively, I thought they did a great job of disrupting us. That first half, we had to settle down and do a better job of taking care of the ball. I think anytime that you're on your home floor, you're in that comfort zone. We're the ones that are really going to have to step up play from the defensive end, on the boards and take care of the basketball. That's the one thing that really stands out in my mind going into that game on Sunday."

When you look at the match-up with South Carolina, I can't help but think about the history that is there, with the players that played for you (South Carolina assistant coaches Carla McGhee and Nikki McCray) and the battles you had with Dawn Staley, but just your thoughts on that match-up.
"When they came here, it was great to see them. They are obviously very invested in helping Dawn and helping South Carolina be successful. I am very, incredibly please with what they've done, how they've carried themselves and represented South Carolina as well as women's basketball. I guess at some point in time, when I'm in the rocking chair on the back porch, it'll hit me how many of these Lady Vols have had an influence on our game. That really makes me extremely pleased and very proud for them and for the impact they've had on the game. And they are so many of them out there."

This past Sunday was the one year anniversary of Coach Yow's passing and the Pink Zone is coming up and it has grown tremendously. What're your thoughts on this has grown?
"I think it's been very close to home for me having Stephanie Glance on my staff. One year came up, Stephanie and I, we talked about it, we were both sad. I miss her. I think that without question, she had such an impact, not just on the student-athletes. Having an opportunity to coach with Kay in the Olympics in '84, I can tell you the lives she has touched and the difference she has made with the foundation. It's something that we can all be proud of, but we want to continue to do what we need to do to raise money."