March 1, 2006
Jennifer Strong
What are your thoughts on the team's regular season? Are you pleased with how the team played?
I think our regular season went well. Close to the end we lost some games that we should have won, but I think we learned a lot from those losses. I am very pleased with how the team played this regular season. I think we played with heart and that is the most important. We are playing because we have worked so hard and we want people to know that we are for real. We still have a lot to prove, and we will do so in tourney play.
How do you prepare to play in a tournament situation? Is it any different from a regular season game? Why?
How I personally prepare for tourney play, I think I am more focused then ever. I know that this is "win or go home" and that thought stays with me. I want to get further than the first round. So it is different from the regular season because this is what counts. Tourney play counts and everyone in the conference is 0-0 now. We all have the same record. It starts right here, nothing else matters.
What is the best part of playing in the A-10 Tournament? What is the worst part?
The best part of playing in the tourney is that every team brings it. The competition level is 10 notches higher than it is in the regular season. I like how intense the gym is when it's game time. However, the worst part is seeing teams lose and knowing that their season is over.
How do you think we stack up against our first round opponent? Will it be an easy game? What challenges do we face?
I am not going to put anything past Rhode Island. Even though we beat them during the regular season, both our records are 0-0 now. I think the game is going to be intense and I can't wait. The game will be hard if we don't do what we are capable of doing. If we play our game, it's going to be a good night for us and a long night for Rhode Island. I think the challenges that we face are all inner. If everyone comes to play and we all have that swagger, than we are a tough team to beat. This is the time to have no regrets and leave everything out on the floor.
Can we win the whole tournament? How far do we need to advance to make the trip a success?
There is no doubt in my mind. I know we can win the whole tourney. We are capable of going all the way. We just have to play with a swagger and be as intense as we know how. Like I said before, we are a tough team to beat when we do the things that we are good at. We first need to focus on Rhode Island. That is the first game and the first step. After that, we will take each game one at a time. Once Friday night is over and we are victorious, advancing past Rhode Island is the only thing on my mind. After that game, we can talk about how far we will advance, but right now advancing past the first round is what we need to do to be successful.
Nikki Oakland
What are your thoughts on the team's regular season? Are you pleased with how the team played?
My overall thoughts on how we played in our regular season are that we all proved to so many people that we are able to play with anyone. We used to be the team that people could walk all over and now I feel that we are starting to become the team that everyone has to give a second look. I am very pleased on how our team has played this year. We had our bumps during the season but we always found a way to bounce back and never give up. I feel as though we will continue to get better and better until we are finally at the top of our game.
How do you prepare to play in a tournament situation? Is it any different from a regular season game? Why?
I really don't prepare for tournament play any different then any other game. I just always tell myself before a game to go out there and play my hardest because that is one thing I can always control.
What is the best part of playing in the A-10 Tournament? What is the worst part?
The best part about playing in the A-10 Tournament is that it is another opportunity to prove how good we are as a team and that when we play together anything can happen. I feel that the best basketball is played during crunch time. The worst part is knowing that if we don't come out and perform well for the game then we will be going home. Everyone in the tournament is good so you always have to bring your best game to keep on continuing.
How do you think we stack up against our first round opponent? Will it be an easy game? What challenges do we face?
I think we will do well against Rhody. I feel that after our last game, we all know we can play and beat anybody if we play hard for 40 minutes. No game will be an easy game but if we all execute on offense and defense we will do great in the first, second, third and final round.
Can we win the whole tournament? How far do we need to advance to make the trip a success?
Yes, we can win the whole tournament. Everyone in our league we have played tough against and have shown that we are able to beat anyone. If we just come out like we know how to then we will be fine.
