Post-Game Quotes: Miami
12/3/2023 4:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Opening Statement…
Good team home win today. When we were coming in today, we knew Miami Ohio is a team that plays really contrasting styles of play, and I thought there were patches of the game we played a little frustrated. I also thought we got out of that and found ways to play some really good team basketball and finish really strong. Going into this week, we got a big week ahead of us with Big Ten play starting.
On preparing the team for Big Ten play to start…
So, this week, I think there are two things. The first thing is we are always working harder to do things we do. Really good teams have a clear identity and are really good at things that happen all the time. Those things are what you have to be consistently working on. The second piece is Nebraska and we know they are a really good opponent starting Big Ten play. We have a task ahead of figuring out what that looks like and being really clear with what we are going to do and being able to execute it.Â
On focusing on getting more points in the paint…
I don't know if there was something specific, but we knew coming from the first half if we moved it multiple sides we were getting some really good driving opportunities. I thought we did a better job with that. We have been shooting the ball really well, there were some good shots we missed and some shots where we can get better shots. I thought the second half we played both sides better and we were able to attack the paint off the dribble.Â
On Theryn Hallock's career high...
She's put together these in back-to-back games and played well. I think Theryn (Hallock) has great athleticism and really good speed. She has an ability to be really disruptive and get those defensive rebounds. She puts a lot of pressure on the defense with her pace and speed and tempo. We are seeing her making outside shots, getting to the free throw line and finishing at the free throw line. We challenged her a little bit about having a plan. Being consistently in the gym and working on shooting, finishing and free throws. She has been doing that. When you put those two things together, really good things happen.Â
On seeing 29 opponent turnovers…
We did a good job of forcing turnovers other than the third quarter. I really thought we were dialed in defensively. One thing we gave up was too many second shots. They were able to score off too many rebounds. We knew coming in we had two contrasting styles of play with tempo and possession. We wanted to be able to detect the tempo and how the game was being played. I thought we did a good job at forcing turnovers.Â
On finding a rhythm on how you play going into Big Ten play...
I think any time through a season you just play different levels of teams, different styles of play. I think with really good teams, when it's time to play, you play. When it's time to hoop, you hoop. There's a right way to play. There is an every-possession mentality. When you are operating at a high level, that's the mindset. Whoever we have in front of us is who we have. We have to be ready to play possessions in every style of game.
On Moira Joiner's third-quarter offense…Â
I said that in the locker room after the first half. I thought that when the game was in a lull, and I thought we were playing a little bit frustrated, she turned it up. She found a way. She got some steals, put-backs, and posted up and made some tough finishes. She made it to the free throw line a couple times too. She's a really experienced player and I think something that stands out about Mo (Joiner) is that she's tough and she competes. I think that at that point in the game, she really changed the flow and the energy of the game.
On lineup changes…Â
We just thought that tonight was a great opportunity for a lot of people to get experience. Nothing can teach experience but experience. I thought we were fortunate for a lot of distribution of minutes.
On adjustments after a quarter through the season…Â
What I've liked is that we have played together. We have played really good team ball. We are productive on the defensive end as we pressure the ball together. To be effective on the offensive end, you have to play together. We've been a high-assist team. We've been a team that gives up good shots for great shots. We do great at making the extra pass and that will be important moving forward. Really good team basketball is hard to guard. We have to find ways to continue to be good at that.
On the team's free throw shooting…Â
That's where we scored tonight. There are certain nights we've shot threes well and not free throws. There are certain nights we've shot free throws well and not threes. I'm hoping one of these nights we put it all together at the same time, but I am hoping it's a great example that the ball doesn't need to go in from three to be effective. Especially in the second half, we found ways to get to the rim and free throw line to capitalize there.
On tonight's rebounding…Â
Rebounding is important to winning at any level, men or women. It's a really important factor in being successful. I thought we rebounded the ball exceptionally well against DePaul and we actually complemented them on how well we rebounded. I thought tonight when we rebounded, we took a step back in that. We know how important it is though. It is how you limit possessions, easy shots and free throws. It will continue to be a big and important focus for us in the future.
On the team's offensive efforts…Â
I think so much of culture is systems and being really clear as to what it looks like for player development. I think it is twofold. The girls have been on the court a lot and our staff. Our assistant coaches have been on the court a lot with them. It is their favorite place to be: on the court. They've created a plan and there's been a real consistency on what it looks like to get better. And the reality is, that when individual players are better, you are better as a team. When one player gets better, it elevates the team. When multiple players get better, it elevates the team. That is our continued challenge, to stay consistent with that. It is a make miss game, and the more you make the better you are. You have to be able to make them when you are open and a little contested. I think it separates players and teams. It is an important part of what every day looks like.
