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Quotes: Duke 78, Winthrop 50
11/15/2015 9:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
Opening Statement:
“It was just a good game for us to play. Winthrop is a scrappy team and they played really hard, and so we had to play very hard. We played much better defense in the second half, and we were sloppy defensively in the first half. I don't think they should have had 31 points on the board [after the first half], and the team didn't [think that] either, so we have some work to do there. I really appreciate the effort; Azurá [Stevens] has a lot to offer and she's very capable of a lot of things, so it's great to see her being so strong and tough with the ball to get 14 rebounds and eight blocks. And I thought Rebecca [Greenwell] was playing good defense and was aggressive, although I always like to see her get more rebounds, but I thought she did a great job for us out there. And time-wise, there were some good things, some growth. Not huge growth, but some growth and we're excited to play Wednesday.”
On the quick turnaround between today's game and Friday's 57-50 victory over the University of Pennsylvania:
“I thought the team did a good job. We had film and practice, and we did that earlier so we could get some rest time. That's all part of the game: being ready to play when it's time to play, regardless. It goes back to the 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere.' Basketball is a tough season that way. We were talking in the locker room about football, and that's one game a week. It's pretty religious; you can kind of bank on things happening. In basketball, you have got to really be clever and be ready. You have to get your mind and your body ready. So we're still working on that: getting everybody in the right places, and the right focus. And once we do that, our turnovers will drop considerably. Our offense will shoot up, and our defense will be very good, too.”
On Wednesday's upcoming game versus No. 13 Texas A&M:
“I just think we'll improve on it. I think A&M's a good team; we've played them before and they pretty much have the same team. Last year we were really close and that was a difficult situation for us. And so we played a very good game and almost beat them. We know how physical they play and it will be important to take care of the ball, but it will be most important to rebound and defend and really make things difficult for them.”
On turnovers and freshmen adjusting to the tempo of college basketball and Duke's style of play:
“I think they're adjusting well. What's interesting about the turnover is that it seems like everyone is taking their turn with things. When we were at Penn, it was the post players: 14 of the 24. And the young kids didn't turn it over at all. Today, we've got two point guards with four apiece. So I guess it is a process, and people have to see what it's like to turn the ball over, not like it, and make an adjustment. The key is: we've got to have some zeroes there [in the box score.] You've got to have people who don't have any turnovers and take care of the basketball. Obviously we're not there yet. And when we do that, when we're down at 12 turnovers, we're going to be very good. We have got to get down to that point.”
On the difficulties Duke had feeding its post players on offense:
“I think it's a function sometimes of youth, but also we made shots early. [Rebecca Greenwell] made some shots early from the outside, and I think sometimes that gives everyone the feeling that [they can too.] You have to stay disciplined. You never want to miss your post players; you always want to get the ball inside. I don't care if I've hit eight threes, I've got to get the ball inside. I think Becca is more mature and has more experience and therefore looks to do that, but I think it's the effect on the younger players that contributes to that. We're learning so many different things every game, and that's just another one of them.”
Redshirt Sophomore Guard Rebecca Greenwell
On getting open shots tonight:
“We moved the ball well in the first half, and it really opened up some shots for me, which worked really well against their zone defense.”
On bouncing back after Friday's performance:
“It felt good to get off to a good start tonight. I definitely didn't play as well as I wanted to at Penn, but I think overall the team did a lot better tonight than the first game out, but we're definitely growing and getting better with each game.”
On the willingness of the freshmen guards to take advice:
“I think they're coming along well. They're a very mature class. They listen to us and really take it to heart and show it out on the court. I think they're doing a great job. It's just going to take a few games to get adjusted. We're still learning how to play with each other and I think it will come a long really soon.”
Sophomore Forward/Guard Azurá Stevens
On demanding the ball in the post more often:
“With this type of team, especially with the younger players, it might just take me calling for the ball more so that I can at least get the look and if there is nothing there, then I'll pass it back out.”
On strong defense in the second half:
“We all chipped in. At halftime we all knew that defense was something that we needed to keep working on, so at this point it's just actually going out there and doing it. I think we did a good job in the second half stopping them consistently. Ultimately, no matter how many points we score, it really comes down to how many points the other team scores.”
Winthrop head coach Kevin Cook:
Opening Statement:
“We were thankful to come in here. I'm proud of our team for battling. I thought we played our hearts out.”
On offensive rebounds:
“We're an athletic bunch and I expect us to tomahawk the boards. I was disappointed in how many offensive rebounds we gave them. Our program is at a point where yes, we have our 6'4” all-conference post player. We're at a point in our program where we are past the moral victories and just competing. I told the team that. This is an elite team that has a chance to do great things. We let [Rebecca] Greenwell get off early. We didn't want her to get off. I think she is the spark that ignites this crew and when she is on, it seems like everybody else is on.”
On preparing for the season:
“We just finished and got back from Norman yesterday at 2 o'clock and then we got on a bus and came over here. I think it helps us tremendously. We could have scheduled some easier opponents, but as Skip Prosser used to say down here on Tobacco Road, you can't sharpen your teeth by eating oatmeal. We don't want to break our teeth but at the same time we want to sharpen them. It's a great atmosphere with great traditions. It's a wonderful thing for our players to experience. This is what we are trying to grow in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Again I thank you guys for covering us and hopefully we'll see you down the road.”
Players Mentioned
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