University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
1/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2012
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Minnesota Head Coach Pam Borton
Opening thoughts
"Obviously this is a tough loss for us tonight. The way we started the game was how we played the rest of it, and I felt we were digging ourselves out of a hole the entire time. Defensively, it was a poor effort on our side, giving up 78 points in our home gym and being out-rebounded. I think we've been out-rebounded the past three games and that is something we've taken seriously. We were number one in the Big Ten in rebounding and we've really slipped. Offensively, we weren't in a flow; just a lot of quick shots, a lot of untimely shots and a lot of bad shots that were not in our skill set. Instead of playing together as a team, everybody was trying to do something and make something happen out there. I don't think anything was selfish on their part, but it turned into offense for (Wisconsin). Wisconsin played a great game. They have three very good guards that could shoot the ball and Covington had a great game inside as well. They played very, very well."
On learning from this game and motivation for Ohio State
"We were trying to mix things up defensively. We were trapped on ball screens, we were trying to knock some things loose and generate some offensive from our defense. That's not necessarily how we want to play all the time with the type of team that we have. It is about playing smarter, that's the bottom line. We have to play smarter offensively and play smarter as a team. 72 points is enough offense to win a basketball game, but not giving up 78."
On, if the game a reflection of practice
"Not really, I thought we've been practicing really well. This team always works extremely hard, we just have to play smarter. We were not making very smart decisions on either end of the floor. We have to do a better job as coaches to control things on the offensive end."
On Cotton's past performances on offense including this game
"She just has to stick with what she does well. She is supposed to defend the ball and be the ball hawk coming down the floor for us; setting the tone for our defense, keeping her kid in front of her and create a little havoc in the half court with her defense. Offensively her strength is getting to the rim and getting to the free throw line. She settled for a lot of jump shots tonight that weren't hers. I think she just needs to get back to what she does well."
Wisconsin Head Coach Bobbie Kelsey
Opening statement
"I am very proud of our group. We worked hard this week to get ready for a great Minnesota team. They are great shooters, penetrators, and they share the ball. We had an opportunity here and we wanted to capitalize on it. I am very proud of our team persevering through it."
On a good opening run
"We always emphasize that when you come into someone else's place, you really have to get a good start. Obviously being at home and having a good crowd like they did tonight, it gives the home team confidence. We had to come out and play from the beginning of the game so we wouldn't dig ourselves a hole. It was good for us to come out like that, which we try to do every game... we've got a lot better at it these last couple of games."
On attacking the perimeter
"We are a more guard-on-guard oriented team; we don't have a lot of post players. We really have to get our guards going and they do a good job of it. We have a lot of them, but they all contribute in their own different way and play their role really well."
On Anya Covington's game
"Anya has really come on here; this was a great game to showcase what we always knew she could do. It's one thing to say it, and it's another thing to do it."
