University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Tennessee 72, UT Martin 49
March 17, 2012 | Women's Basketball
March 17, 2012
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HEAD COACH Pat Summitt
(On coaching against her alma mater)
"It was. There's no doubt. They played hard. We had a lot of size advantage. They came here ready to run up and down the floor and they did a good job."
(On Tennessee's defense)
"It was a great defensive effort. I think our team respected their team. When that happens, they're going to step up, play better defense and take care of the basketball."
(On whether Tennessee's 27 three-point attempts were too many)
"If they go in, (they're not). We don't typically go out and expect that, but we did a great job today."
(On Tennessee's mentality)
"I think we have to just take this game and get ready for the next game. I think this team has had a little bit different focus now that we're here and it's for real. Let's just hope that we can keep moving forward."
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH Holly Warlick
(Opening statement)
"I would like to congratulate UT Martin on just a great year. It shows the quality of basketball in the state of Tennessee. My hat is off to them and I hate that we had to play them, but it is what it is. I am proud of what that team has done and how hard they played. Tennessee I thought today we started off a little slow but when I think we needed to hit shots, we hit shots. Anytime you see Tennessee only have eight turnovers, it's a good day. I thought we took care of the ball we limited our turnovers and we really crashed the boards. Our strength was obviously the bench play. I think when you get 38 bench points, that's a positive for us, and we preach our depth, and today we needed our depth so today I am proud of everyone who contributed today and I am proud to get the win."
(On getting the ball inside during the game)
"We tried to get the ball inside but if you watch they were not defending our point guard, they were not extending their defense, they were really packing it in, so it was really difficult to get the ball inside and credit to them they were physical, they played very tough, so we had to hit shots to open up the inside, and I think the first half we didn't hit some open shots we needed to. Credit to Meighan, she hit some big shots, some big threes, which really opened up the inside for us."
(On the mood of Pat Summitt after beating her alma mater)
"Pat's a competitor so she plays her mother in checkers and she's going to want to beat Miss Hazel. Pat has a love for UT- Martin, but she is a competitor and wants to win. I don't think it crossed Pat's mind that we are worried about UT Martin; she was totally focused on us, and how we were playing, and what kind of game, and what kinds of things we were doing, really focusing on us today."
(On Ariel Massengale's impact coming off the bench)
"Ariel came in and gave us a lift. She had those two quick fouls that got her in some trouble and we had to sit her but she is just a smart point guard. We were excited to come to Chicago, but she was thrilled. I am happy for her, I am happy for her to come and play for her own town, and she is an exceptional player and point guard for us, and we are thrilled she is at Tennessee."
(On what Pat Summitt was yelling to the players throughout the game)
"Well, I don't know the particular situation, but Pat Summitt has not quit coaching, and so she is just more focused on one-on-one, individual help, so I am sure she was trying to get a couple kids' attention. So you don't have to worry about Pat not coaching and getting the point across, whether it is praise or giving them a swift kick in the butt. She is very good at letting players know they are doing a good job, so I am sure that is what you saw, and it is nice to see her open and still coaching."
(On forcing the ball to Glory in the post and drawing fouls in the first half)
"We face double teams, we face teams sagging off us, but Glory is our go-to player and we rely on her to make plays and she has the ability to go up and get the ball with two, three people on her. We want Glory to make plays and we want her involved in the offense. Any great post player, if they don't touch the ball a few times down the floor, then post players may tend to quit working, but Glory keeps working. She is the exception to that rule. So, we are going to try our best to get her the ball because she makes things happen. She draws a foul she makes a play, she gets a rebound and a put back, so we want Glory involved in the offense as much as possible."
SENIOR FORWARD Glory Johnson
On whether or not she reminded fellow teammates to get the ball inside)
"I think we all were talking, but the coach especially was talking about using the post to our advantage. We had size, and I think after a while we started using it, they started double teaming, and we had to look at the kick out, and then hit shots, and we started hitting shots. So we started playing in side, and we eventually started hitting shots like the Tennessee team we know we are. And I think a lot of it speaks to being successful."
(On UT Martin's play in the first half)
"They came out fighting and they were a really, really, physical team, and that is probably something we weren't expecting. We were expecting three point shots and that was about it, and working out on the perimeter. But when they came in trying to beat our post on the inside, it was something we did not expect. They did not have the size but they were a lot stronger so we realized it was not going to be easy for us, we have to get going, and finish after contact."
SOPHOMORE GUARD Meighan Simmons
(On end of first half momentum used to pick up at the second half)
"I think it's just about our feet, and staying poised. There were a couple shots I took too early, and I got beat on a couple of backdoor cuts by number 11, she's an amazing player, but I think coming out of the second half I had to keep my legs fresh and make sure I was focused on what was going on out there on the court."
(On UT Martin's first half)
"I think it was the size of their hearts that kept them in the game. Size does not matter in the game of basketball if you play with heart; size, height, none of that matters."
JUNIOR GUARD Kamiko Williams
(On being proud what they did defensively)
"No. We can play better defense than what we did. Like you said they just weren't making shots. They're a shooting team and were getting shots off they just weren't falling for them."
(On Simmons getting 20 points)
"You know Meighan is an awesome shooter. I mean once the girl is on she's on. We just kept giving the ball to her and she kept knocking them down."
FRESHMEN GUARD Ariel Massengale
(On coming home to play near her hometown)
"It's a great feeling. My parents were able to come down. A lot of friends and some high school coaches. I mean anytime you are able to play in your hometown is a blessing."
(On playing)
"To be the best you have to play the best. I feel being in a top program gives you that night in and night out."
(
On advice for her Bolingbrook high school team)
"Just keep working. This year didn't end the way you wanted to but you just have to get back to work."
