March 17, 2007

Practice Day Photo Gallery

Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt

General Opening Statement:
"This is truly the time of year when everyone is getting excited about post-season play. We're looking forward to getting things going. It's been a good journey for us, as far as getting as the regular season and getting ready for the post season. We've had a few days off and now it's time to play."

On the growth of women's basketball after 26 years of holding an NCAA tournament:
"I don't think I ever envisioned this [growth] early-on in my career. We went to a lot of empty arenas to play and a lot of press conferences without anyone there, so it's been quite a journey for women's basketball and to be a part of it while coaching at Tennessee throughout all of those years has been quiet an experience. It's been great to see what's happened with women's basketball. I mean we're talking parity and no one was talking about parity back then. Now we're talking about the excitement, the arenas, the sell-out crowds, the sold-out Final Four [games]. It's something we could've sat around and dreamed about, but the reality is that it's real. It's great for women's basketball. I think about the stage that these student athletes are on, and they don't have any idea what it was like before they were born. They're reaping the benefits of a lot of administrative commitment all over the country to this game. Obviously, a lot of dedicated coaches and students athletes along the way were committed as well and paved a path for them [today's student athletes].

On today's student athletes understanding of how far women's basketball has come:
"They don't understand. If you're going to understand how far women's basketball has come, you have to understand the history of women's basketball. I think someday these athletes will understand, though, and will appreciate it. But while you're going through [the growth] as a student athlete you're a competitor, you're excited about the opportunities, but not really completely aware of what it was like 25 years ago."

On matching up with Drake:
"I think we play contrasting styles [of basketball]. From everything I have seen, I think Drake is very comfortable in the half-court offense running their sets and running their flex offense. They're always making sure that the right people are touching the ball and that they're getting a lot of shots. We like up-tempo [basketball] and not that they won't push the basketball, but we're going to push, we're going to press, we're going to play the way that I think this team plays best. We've spent a lot of time trying to generate points off of our defense. It's going to be a game of contrasting styles; more deliberate vs. more up-and-down."

On the following that you've received from coaches everywhere wanting to coach the "Pat Summitt way":
"The game has been so good to me and has really blessed me in so many ways. One thing that I've tried to do is just give back to the game and one of the reasons I wanted to write books was so that maybe in some small way I could help inspire little girls to grow up and be a part of our great game. I've been very open and receptive to sharing with other coaches from clinics and I think that's important. It's important for coaches, and so many of them do this, to give back to the game."

On Elizabeth Curry's reaction to playing Drake University in the first round:
"The players might be able to tell you a little more about [Elizabeth Curry's] reaction. For those of you who don't know, Elizabeth [Curry] started out as a manger for us. She came to Tennessee because she was quite a Lady Vol's fan and wanted to be a part of our program, so she was a manager for three years. We approached her this season about being a walk-on to the team and she was absolutely thrilled and has fit in great with our team and really has just played her role."

On Drake head coach Amy Stephens:
"Holly Warlick, who is now the associate head coach at Tennessee, recruited [Amy Stevens] and Holly [Warlick] asked me if I knew her. I said, `I know who she is,' but it wasn't like we had recruited her to play for us. She's done a great job, though. Just watching her team I know she's got to be very excited about coming into this setting. I didn't know this until somebody told me, but they said [Amy Stephens] really studied the Tennessee system and was a big fan of our program. What she did with her basketball team and over-coming injuries and being able to bring this team to the position of playing here in the NCAA tournament through her [Missouri Valley] Conference Championship. I look forward to letting Amy [Stephens] know how much I've enjoyed scouting her team. They've got some really good offensive sets, particularly in the half-court. She may be young, but just watching her demeanor she looks to be a great communicator."

On the loss of Maggie Dixon last season:
"Just watching her team perform, you could just tell that they were so well-coached; they were so together. When the tragedy happened, I think everyone in our profession was touched and, obviously, emotionally, it was a very difficult time. She left her mark on the game. I think Candice [Parker] said it best; she was a terrific person and a woman of character who greatly cared about her student athletes. What she did as a basketball coach was very good, but as a person, everyone respected and admired and loved what she stood for."

Sophomore Forward Candace Parker

On being ready to tip off:
"I think we are very ready to tip off. We are all ready to get this game underway. We have been watching the games on TV and we are getting really excited about getting back on the court. "

On hearing of Drake University:
"My grandparents live in Iowa, so I have always been aware of Drake.

On dunking:
"My focus is winning a national championship. Just get through one game at a time. We tell ourselves that we have six games. That is not on my mind right now, that's last year."

On Maggie Dixon:
"Maggie Dixon and I were friends for a long time. There are a lot of memories about Maggie. She was a great coach but an even better person. Coming to Pittsburgh is ironic with her brother being the coach. It has really had me thinking about her a lot. I think that she went out on top.

Senior Forward Sidney Spencer

On motivation for the game:
"This is the NCAA tournament, at any point on any given night any team can win. We just prepare ourselves with what we are trying to do and goals that we are trying to accomplish."

On hearing of Drake University:
"I actually have a few friends that go there."

Junior Guard Alexis Hornbuckle

On her injury last year:
"Last year, my wrist wasn't healed 100 percent, so I had to play with a protective device. I am thankful and blessed that this year I have had no injuries, and am able to do what is asked of me."

On teammates Shannon Bobbit and Cait McMahan:
"I am glad that they came. [Shannon Bobbit and Cait McMahen] have done a great job filling the point guard position. They have done a great job of doing what is asked of them by the coach."

On hearing of Drake University:
"I never knew where Drake was. I had heard of it, but just never really knew where it was.

On Elizabeth Curry's reaction to playing Drake:
"You could tell she was excited. She wanted the opportunity to get on the court against Drake."