Post Game Quotes: Maryland
1/9/2024 9:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Michigan State women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick
Â
On the difference between shooting in the first and second half…
Credit to Maryland. They really came out in the first half and bothered us and got us out of rhythm. We made some adjustments at halftime and our kids did a really good job sticking to the game plan.
Â
On the Performance of the Co-Captains…
It's critical and they have a lot of experience. Their maturity and experience have definitely shown through. They had some of the most critical baskets of the game for us. Julia did a really good job finishing. I am really proud of them for stepping up and playing in big moments.
Â
On Julia's shot after the timeout and how she drew it up….
Well, sometimes they will come and trap you, so we really weren't sure if they were going to trap and get us out of sorts. We knew we wanted to get the clock down to limit possessions. I think we did a great job at executing and identifying the mismatch. We did a good job not taking a bad shot and making the extra pass to find Julia.
Â
On how important energy is for this team….
One of my favorite things about basketball is that effort and energy are an advantage. You can't say that in every sport. We talk a lot about effort and energy and how it has to be an advantage for us. We had a week off and we said to ourselves, 'oh my gosh, we need to get going, we have a game at home and really need to step it up.' I think we challenged them at halftime, and I thought they did a good job responding. They are having fun and fun is a big part in loving what you do. You have to keep the joy of the game, especially as you move up levels.
Â
On attempting to generate more field throws…Â
We changed what we were doing at half. It gave us a lot more space and better ball movement. It gave us drives where we were actually open, compared to earlier when they were helping from everywhere. In the second half when they helped from everywhere, we were able to take advantage of it.Â
Â
On getting a win over Brenda Frese…Â
Brenda is one of the best coaches in the country. She has had success for a long period of time. Coming into the league, she has been very warming, welcoming, and helpful all the time. I've seen her out recruiting. I have a ton of respect for her. She has won a national championship. The game isn't me versus her, but I have a ton of respect for her and for what she has done at Maryland for a long time.
Â
On Jocelyn Tate and Theryn Hallock…Â
play together, they are two speedy ball handlers. When we get stops and we get in space, they are very dynamic.Deedee, her speed is great. When her and Theryn, and they take advantage of that. They hurt us on that, but we held our ground long enough. matchupsJocelyn has a lot of defensive versatility, which helps us. We're able to switch and press with her. She is an alert off ball defender. She is in help early, which allows her to take charges. Tonight, we knew they come to the paint a lot. They have some hard
Â
On Moria and the culture of the team…
Mo's a winner, I mean that's the best way to describe her, a winner. So if that's shutting down the other team's best player, if it's tonight making timely, timley shots, making good decisions, and making good free throws. She will do what it takes to win. I think when you get a team where it is whatever it takes to win, good things can happen. With her experience, how long she's been here, she has chosen Michigan State every day for years, she makes the right play, she makes the unselfish plays, and sets the table for the rest of the team too.Â
Â
On what Julia has been able to do over the past six or seven games…
She's been dynamite on both sides. I think that double-double tonight and I think her rebounding is so important for us. As we all know we have been an undersized team though the season and her ability to defensive rebound for us has been critical. I think offensively she's a mismatch, she's tough, she can slip, she can pop, she can post up and switch with smaller players, I have been really proud of her ability to identify that. She creates a lot of offense for us because she is such a tough matchup.
Â
On the importance of ball movement for the team…
Yeah good passing teams are good scoring teams and if you're a good passing team you are usually getting better shots. So we work on that a lot. It is also the way we play; we don't have one player that just dominates the ball or is an iso player, we have a team style basketball. We have to move it and we have to share it. I think when we do it we have to get better shots.
Â
On Mary and how long she may be out for…
She is unfortunately going to be out for the season.Â
