University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin
1/7/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2017
Head Coach Marlene Stollings
Opening Statement...
Opening Statement...
"I want to start by commending our team. I thought it was a big bounce back game for us, after a very tough start to Big Ten play. We played the top three teams in the conference. Coming in here today, recovering from that, sometimes it's easy to get down in those situations. We really tried to stay encouraged by thinking that we've taken the Big Ten's best here right off that bat, and we've done some really good things in those games. Let's start a win streak here, today, on our home floor. Obviously, it's a really big rivalry game for us. A couple things about this game that stand out and I'm really happy about are how we started the game. We've had a couple games where we didn't start well. We started well defensively and offensively. Also, it's the most we've beaten Wisconsin by in five years and the longest win streak ever in the all-time series. Those are two things that are really nice to have along with a rivalry win."
On why we do well vs. Wisconsin...
"It's a rivalry game, and it's one we want to own for a number of reasons. There are players from both teams who are from each of our two states. It's big from a recruiting standpoint; it's a battleground locally and regionally, recruiting-wise. Also, it's for our fans. One of the first things I learned when I got here from Shayne Mullaney, one of our seniors from last year, is 'Better dead than red.' That was her line and she taught me that very quickly. It's the rivalry in which we want to dominate and we want to own."
"It's a rivalry game, and it's one we want to own for a number of reasons. There are players from both teams who are from each of our two states. It's big from a recruiting standpoint; it's a battleground locally and regionally, recruiting-wise. Also, it's for our fans. One of the first things I learned when I got here from Shayne Mullaney, one of our seniors from last year, is 'Better dead than red.' That was her line and she taught me that very quickly. It's the rivalry in which we want to dominate and we want to own."
On having Coach Fleck in the crowd...
"Administration texted me this morning and told me he was going to be here. I told our team at shoot around that he was coming. It's a really big deal; we're excited that he's here. We love his passion and his energy, and what everyone thinks he can do for the Gopher program. I think it sends a strong message that he's less than 48 hours on the job, and he comes to a women's basketball game. It shows his commitment right off the bat and it was nice having him here for our young ladies today."
"Administration texted me this morning and told me he was going to be here. I told our team at shoot around that he was coming. It's a really big deal; we're excited that he's here. We love his passion and his energy, and what everyone thinks he can do for the Gopher program. I think it sends a strong message that he's less than 48 hours on the job, and he comes to a women's basketball game. It shows his commitment right off the bat and it was nice having him here for our young ladies today."
Redshirt Sophomore Kenisha Bell
On the team's mindset coming into this game...
"Just being with a group of girls that always have your back. When you make a mistake, everybody is always on your back like, 'you got the next one. You got the next one.' We told each other today that we need this win. We have to get it. So we went our and played our butts off."
On her approach to getting fast starts...
"We had a couple games where we didn't start as strong as other games. Each quarter we tell each other that we have to come out strong, and, right off the jump. we got to keep going. "
Junior Carlie Wagner
On defense...
"I thought we get a great job right off of the get go. We did a good job pressuring them and causing turnovers, and really doing what we do on defense, which was pressuring the ball. We did a great job this game with less turnovers. We took care of the ball better this game than we have the last couple. I think that was a key tonight."
On how to keep the win streak going...
"We just have to maintain our defense. We can't have games where we fall off and don't play defense. We have to be very consistent with it and keep it in front of us. It's important obviously. It wins games."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballMaking Connections: Brylee Glenn & Niamya Holloway
Wednesday, October 22
Making Connections: Sophie Hart & Zoey Bershers
Friday, October 17
Behind the Scenes: B1G Media Day
Tuesday, October 14
Braun & Battle at B1G Media Day
Wednesday, October 08