March 25, 2007

Head Coach Pat Summitt

Opening Statement: "We are really excited and pleased about the win and how we played, especially in the first half. Our full-court pressure created turnovers. I went into halftime feeling confident. We had people who didn't play on the defensive end with same intensity in the second half. Survive and advance. It's what you do this time of year."

On Tennessee's perimeter defense: "I think our perimeter defensive pressure is effective because we can play with Nicky Anosike. Alexis (Hornbuckle) set tone from outside. The pressure she brought was key for us."

On where Marist caused some problems early in the second half: "They started running their action with cross screens on the baseline. We didn't defend it very well. That's why I called that timeout. This Marist team doesn't quit."

On whether she brought up Duke's loss to the team: "No, we really didn't talk about Duke. We talked about respecting Marist for 40 minutes. We try to encourage players to stay in the moment defensively and talk about what we need to do to avoid (an upset.)."

On the intensity of the NCAA regional tournament: "In most regional games, there's a lot of pressure. As a coach, I try to live in the moment as a team. As a coach and coaching staff, I try to stay composed."

On the parity in women's college basketball: "I think you are looking at a lot more upsets. Parity is a good thing. I want to see the women's game continue to grow. More and more universities are providing resources for their programs to grow."

On Shannon Bobbitt's defense: "Shannon has always brought quickness and speed. She's taken a lot more pride in defense. Shannon makes up, because of speed and quickness, what she lacks in size."

On whether team goes as Candace Parker goes: "Candace has to have a presence at both ends of the floor for us to win. I'd like to think we can get Candace good looks and touches, but some teams have played three people on her. But, that means others have to get involved. I don't want others watching. I want them involved. If we are in that situation, I don't think we'll panic."

Tennessee Player Quotes

Shannon Bobbitt on her general approach on defense: "They definitely had advantages over me in the post and I'm thankful that they didn't take those advantages. I just tried to use my quickness and energy when I could and I'm thankful that we came out on top."

Alexis Hornbuckle on defending Marist's three-point shooting: "We dedicated our time and preparation on knowing that they were a great three-point shooting team. Our team was able to cut down on there penetration which did not allow them to kick it out to open shooters."

Candace Parker on how Tennessee prepared for an unknown team like Marist: "Our coach did a good job preparing us by showing us their tendencies. We saw their three-point and learned their personality on TV."

Candace Parker on playing the Cinderella of the tournament: "We personally looked at it like any other game. We knew that a lot of people we rooting for us to lose and wanted their Cinderella story to continue. We wanted their story to end, so we came out with great intensity in the first half."

Candace Parker on the possible match up with Oklahoma's Courtney Paris in the next round: "It's not a match up between Courtney Paris and I but a match up between Oklahoma and Tennessee. We are going into the game with that mindset, like we have all season, that we are a team and believe Oklahoma looks at it the same."

Candace Parker on taking on double teams in the post: "We came into the game knowing that they like to double and some times even triple team, so my natural reaction is to reverse the ball for open jump shoots. I think we did a good job of handling it."

Candace Parker on Tennessee's second half timeout: "Since it was aimed at me, I think I'll take this question. Coach very calmly told me, I need to step up and play some defense and I didn't come out with same intensity in the second half. So it was time out for Candace."

Alexis Hornbuckle on playing such a lower seed in the tournament: "I think it's great for women's basketball because now you turn on the TV and don't know what to expect. Usually the top seed makes it to the elite eight or the final four but now everything is so up in the air because everybody needs to play a great team game in order to move on."