Brown, Gibson Return to Action
6/21/1999 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
December 22, 1998
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland hosts its highest-ranked opponent of the season Tuesday evening when No. 15 Rutgers comes to First National Bank of Maryland Court at Cole Field House, but the story for the Terrapins may be in the fact that junior and senior playmakers Tiffany Brown (Clinton, Md.) and Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.) both are expected to return for their first action of the season.
Brown, ineligible due to academic problems so far this season, was cleared to return to the Maryland roster on Monday to aid an ailing backcourt which has been led thus far by true freshman March Strickland (Kingston, Mass.). Strickland has led the Atlantic Coast Conference in minutes (37.6) through the early games of her college career, and has played all 40 minutes of games already three times. She averages 10.0 points and 3.0 assists, but looks forward to Brown's return in order that she might return to her more natural off-guard position.
Brown, a two-year point guard who has started 31 college games and who averaged 7.3 points and 3.0 assists last season, is the Terps' top returning scorer after Maryland graduated its three top scorers from last year's club. Brown also is Maryland's career 3-point shooting leader, netting 84 3-point baskets in two seasons including a school record seven during an upset of No. 7 North Carolina last January.
Gibson, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee just days before the beginning of fall practice, will return to very limited action this evening as she makes strides toward full rehabilitation. Maryland's most dynamic athlete and its lone senior who can play guard and forward positions, she is not yet 100 percent.
Maryland deficiencies so far this season have been glaringly obvious. Tremendous inexperience has been evidenced by consistent minutes from five freshman and a JC transfer, and just one player - junior Branka Bogunovic (Zemun, Serbia) - who averaged more than one basket per game last season. Plus, minus Brown and Gibson, Strickland has been Maryland's only true guard. The young Terps have woefully averaged 26.6 turnovers per game, despite a season-low 13 in last week's loss to Wake Forest, and have scored just five 3-pointers in eight games.
Game Facts and Coverage
#9 - Rutgers at Maryland
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 22
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: First National Bank of Maryland Court at Cole Field House (14,500)
Radio: WMUC Radio, 650-AM and 88.1-FM, and on the Internet at www.wmuc.umd.edu.(Brett Molina, Adam Gantman, Paul Monusky)
RECORDS
Maryland is 0-8 following last week's losses at No. 20 Penn State, 79-44, and against ACC foe Wake Forest, 65-47. The Terps are 0-2 in the ACC. Rutgers is currently 8-2 after a 71-53 win at Syracuse last week. Both teams were off last week for final exams.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Terps play 10 games this season against teams currently ranked in national top 25 polls. Maryland plays 13 against teams at least receiving votes. This week's rankings:
AP (Dec. 21) ESPN/USA Today (Dec. 21) 6. N. Carolina 6. North Carolina 11. Clemson 11. Clemson 12. Penn State 13. Rutgers 15. Rutgers 15. Penn State 16. Duke 20. Duke 23. Virginia 23. VirginiaOthers: NC State, Western Michigan
COACHES
Maryland's Chris Weller (Maryland '66) has guided her alma mater to a national championship game and three Final Four appearances. Now in her 24th season, she has engineered an unprecedented eight ACC championships while compiling a 447-229 (.661) overall record. She is 161-112 (.590) in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1995, she became just the fifth coach in women's college basketball history to earn at least 400 victories at the same school. Three years earlier, her Terps were No. 1-ranked for a month which led to her naming as the 1992 Naismith and USBWA national coach of the year.
Weller is 17-9 all-time vs. Rutgers, and 5-7 vs. C. Vivian Stringer.
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer is 574-177 (.764) in her 27th season as a college head coach. She is 54-42 (.563) in her fourth season at Rutgers. Previously the coach at Cheyney State and Iowa, she is the only coach to take three different teams to the NCAA Tournament. Her 1982 Cheyney State team advanced to the NCAA Final Four, as did her Iowa team in 1993. Last year's Rutgers team qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four seasons.
SERIES HISTORY
The Terps are 18-9 all-time against Rutgers. Last season's 67-44 setback ended a run of seven straight victories over the Scarlet Knights over a nine-year span. Rutgers' last win at Cole Field House was an 84-76 decision on Feb. 4, 1987.
NEXT GAMES
Following the Rutgers game, Maryland hosts the Terrapin Classic on Dec. 28-29 - Richmond faces Massachusetts at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, and Maryland hosts Coppin State at 6:30. The consolation and championship games are held on Dec. 29, beginning at 5:30 and 7:30, respectively.
Rutgers returns to Big East play to host Georgetown on Dec. 30.
RADIO/TV SCHEDULE
Seventeen Maryland women's basketball games are carried on live radio this season between the Maryland/Learfield Network with WBAL (1090-AM) in Baltimore as the flagship station, and campus radio station WMUC (650-AM and 88.1-FM).
The Terps appear on four regionally televised games during the ACC season beginning with a Jan. 21 date at Georgia Tech. Subsequent dates include Maryland at Duke on Feb. 1, Virginia at Maryland on Feb. 8, and Maryland at NC State on Feb. 15.
Nov. 24 Hampton WMUC Dec. 2 Western Michigan WMUC Dec. 5 at Clemson Learfield Network Dec. 10 at Penn State Learfield Network Dec. 13 Wake Forest WMUC Dec. 22 Rutgers WMUC Dec. 28 Coppin State WMUC Dec. 29 Terrapin Classic WMUC Jan. 2 Duke WMUC Jan. 8 at Virginia Learfield Network Jan. 14 NC State WMUC Jan. 17 Florida State WMUC Jan. 21 at Georgia Tech FOXSS-TV Jan. 28 Clemson WMUC Feb. 1 at Duke RSN-TV Feb. 3 Morgan State WMUC Feb. 8 Virginia WMUC/RSN-TV Feb. 11 North Carolina WMUC Feb. 15 at NC State RSN-TV Feb. 21 Georgia Tech WMUCTERP TICKETSFOXSS-TV denotes FOX Sports South RSN-TV denotes Home Team Sports, FOX Sports South and Sunshine Network.
Tickets for Terrapin women's basketball games are available by calling the Terp ticket office at 301-314-7070 or 800-462-TERP. Tickets for all home games are $5 for adults and $3 for youth 18 and under.
TERP PROMOTIONS
Upcoming promotions include Big Brother and Big Sister Night on Monday, Dec. 28 when the Terps host Coppin State on the first night of the Terrapin Classic. All Big Brother and Big Sister chapters in the metro D.C. area are invited to participate.
Maryland's Jan. 2 date with Duke is tabbed as WNBA Day and Maryland Alumni Day. Washington Mystics star Nikki McCray will appear for postgame autographs, along with the hopeful appearance of former Terps and current Charlotte Sting teammates Vicky Bullett and Sonia Chase. Maryland alumni, as well as participants in county recreational basketball leagues throughout the state of Maryland, receive group ticket discounts.
Information or additional group tickets may be obtained by calling the Maryland sports marketing office at 301-314-5252.
TERRAPIN FANPHONE
Information on Maryland athletics and a recap of every Maryland men's and women's basketball game can be obtained by calling the Terrapin Fanphone at 301-314-TERP.
1998-99 ACC Standings
ACC Overall
Teams W L Pct. W L Pct.
Clemson 2 0 1.000 10 0 1.000
No. Carolina 2 0 1.000 13 1 .929
Virginia 1 0 1.000 6 2 .750
Duke 1 0 1.000 8 4 .667
Georgia Tech 1 1 .500 6 3 .667
Wake Forest 1 1 .500 4 7 .364
Florida St. 0 2 .000 5 5 .500
NC State 0 2 .000 4 5 .444
Maryland 0 2 .000 0 8 .000
Tuesday, Dec. 22Rutgers at Maryland
Monday, Dec. 28
Coppin State at Maryland (Terrapin Classic)
Brown at Virginia (Virginia Tournament)
NC State vs. New Hampshire (St. Joseph's Hawk Classic)
Duke at UCLA
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Maryland hostsTerrapin Classic
Auburn at Virginia (Virginia Tournament)
NC State at St. Joseph's Hawk Classic
St. Francis (NY) at Georgia Tech (Atlanta Marriott Northwest Holiday Invitational)
George Mason at North Carolina
UMBC at Wake Forest
Wednesday, Dec. 30
Georgia Tech hosts Atlanta Marriott Northwest Holiday Invitational
UNC Greensboro at Clemson
Florida State at Georgia
Thursday, Dec. 31
Hampton at North Carolina
MARYLAND TERRAPINS PROBABLE LINEUP
PROBABLE STARTERS
Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG Notes
F 32 Antonieta Gabriel (8/6) 6-0 Jr. Virginia Beach, Va. 1.3 5.6 3.4 Career-high 13 boards v. Wake Forest
F 34 Deedee Warley (8/6) 6-2 Fr. Fort Washington, Md. 8.6 4.5 1.9 12.0 PPG in last four games
F 42 Rosita Melbourne (8/5) 6-3 Fr. Washington, D.C. 7.1 5.9 0.8 4th in ACC in blocked shots
C 55 Branka Bogunovic (8/7) 6-8 Jr. Zemun, Serbia 12.9 7.1 0.0 Three double-doubles this season
G 20 March Strickland (8/8) 5-9 Fr. Kingston, Mass. 10.0 2.9 3.6 Only Terp to start all 8 games
TOP RESERVES
Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG Notes
G 25 Ginji Perry (7/1) 5-11 Fr. Hyattsville, Md. 3.9 2.6 2.6 23.4 minutes per game, 11 steals
F 33 Cara Ferris (8/6) 6-1 Jr. Pensacola, Fla. 3.1 5.8 1.9 Leads team in steals, 3rd in rebounds
F 30 Ije Agba (7/1) 6-0 Fr. Rockville, Md. 2.1 1.6 0.0 Blue-collar rebounder w/limited minutes
G 3 Tiffany Brown (0/0) 5-6 Jr. Clinton, Md. 0.0 0.0 0.0 '98-99 debut tonight vs. Rutgers
F 45 Kelley Gibson (0/0) 5-11 Sr. Easton, Md. 0.0 0.0 0.0 Lone senior, 9.4 career scoring average
TERPS BY
THE NUMBERS
0
Terp seniors that have played this season.
3
Only three classes of players under Chris Weller have failed to participate in at least one Sweet Sixteen appearance.
5
Branka Bogunovic failed to start in the Wake Forest game for the first time this season to mark Maryland's fifth different starting lineup in eight games.
6
Six freshmen on the Maryland roster are the most since seven in 1985-86.
8
Freshman March Strickland is the only Terrapin to start all eight games this season.
8
The Terps have captured an unprecedented eight ACC championships.
9
Teams on the 1998-99 Terrapin schedule that qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament.
13
Maryland's 13 turnovers against Wake Forest shattered the club's previous season-low of 21 vs. Western Michigan.
12.0 & 15.0
Terp freshman Deedee Warley has averaged 12.0 points in her last four games, and 15.0 in her last two. Her top two scoring outputs have come in consecutive games - 18 at Penn State and 12 vs. Wake Forest.
26.6
Chris Weller's young Terrapins, lacking experienced leadership and a true point guard, average 26.6 turnovers per game.
32
Points by Branka Bogunovic vs. WMU, ties the seventh-best effort in Terrapin history, and the most since 1990.
37.6
Average minutes by freshman guard March Strickland who has thrice played 40 minutes.
48.1
The Terrapins' shooting percentage against Hampton and Western Michigan (25 of 52 in both games) is Maryland's best of the year.
TERRAPIN NOTEBOOK
BROWN AND GIBSON TO RETURN
Tuesday's game with Rutgers marks the return of a pair of longtime Terrapin starters, Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson. Brown, out for academic reasons during the first semester, was cleared to play on Monday. Gibson, still rehabilitating from an ACL tear in September, will see limited minutes in a surprising early return to action. She was not expected to return until January.
Combined, the Brown (31) and Gibson (41) tandem has started 72 games over the last two seasons. Gibson has started 57 games during a five-year career that has been marked by now three knee injuries.
CHECKING THE CHARTS
As Brown and Gibson return to the lineup this season, here's a look at where they rank among Maryland career leaders.
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOALS FGs 1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 84 2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 75 3. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39 4. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 36 5. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32TELLING STATS AND SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENTCAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS Atts. 1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 268 2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 199 3. Kelley Gibson, 1994-present 155 4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 130
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PCT. Pct. 1. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32-77 .416 2. Terri Bradley, 1989-90 21-53 .396 3. Kim Bretz, 1995-97 26-66 .394 6. Aluma Goren, 1990-91 28-82 .341 7. Estelle Christy, 1989-92 21-63 .333 8. Tiffany Brown, 1997-pres. 84-268 .313 9. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39-130 .300 12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 18-65 .277 13. Kelley Gibson, 1995-pres. 36-155 .232
CAREER ASSISTS Assists 1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 583 2. Tara Heiss, 1975-78 504 3. Deanna Tate, 1986, 88-89 500 10. Karon Ferguson, 1992-95 294 11. Dafne Lee, 1989-92 251 12. Katrina Colleton, 1990-93 243 13. Bonnie Rimkus, 1991-94 234 14. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 229 15. Myra Waters, 1979-82 220
CAREER BLOCKED SHOTS Blocks 1. Kris Kirchner, 1977-80 186 2. Vicky Bullett, 1985-89 170 12 Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 46 13. Lydia McAiley, 1979-82 43 14. Belinda Pearman, 1981-84 36 15. Debbie Jones, 1976-78 35 16. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 34
CAREER STEALS Steals 1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 315 2. Sonia Chase, 1995-98 309 12. Jessie Hicks, 1990-93 139 13. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 125 14. Edna Campbell, 1987-88 120 15. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 118
Missing easily their most athletic returning starters, and the top returning scorers and assist makers from a year ago in Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, Terrapin deficiencies have been obvious.
Shooting Woes
Early evidence of their absence was poor shooting (55-152, .362, through three games) and ballhandling by a team comprised mostly of freshmen and almost exclusively by newcomers.
However - Maryland rallied to shoot 40 percent or better in three of its last four games including a matching .481 clip vs. Howard and Western Michigan. The Terps did struggle, though, while shooting a season-low 27.4 percent in last week's loss to Wake Forest.
Turnovers
On the season, the Terps have collected 111 assists and recorded 213 turnovers (almost two turnovers per assist) in five games. That is in contrast to Maryland opponents' more respectable 135 to 124 ratio.
But despite continuing turnovers - and considering a season-low 13 turnovers vs. Wake Forest - the Terps have become more proficient with their offense. Maryland players distributed just 31 assists, barely 10 per game, through its first three games. The Terps have averaged 16.0 (80) assists in their last five games.
Shooting Assists-Turnovers
First 3 games 55-152, .362 31-82 (1.0-2.6)
Last 5 games 109-263, 414 80-131 (1.0-1.6)
TURNING TURNOVERS INTO A POSITIVE?Well, not exactly, despite averaging 26.6 turnovers per contest, improvement has actually been made
What is impressive, on one hand, is that Maryland only has allowed 68.9 points per game despite repeatedly handing the ball back to its opponents. The Terps posted a season-low 13 turnovers vs. Wake Forest.
BOGUNOVIC DOUBLES
Junior center Branka Bogunovic, at 6-8 the tallest player in Maryland women's basketball history, has scored three double-doubles this season while leading the Terps in scoring, 12.9 points, and rebounding, 7.1.
Bogunovic posted 12 points and 11 rebounds at No. 20 Penn State on Dec. 10. She smashed her career scoring high with 32 points vs. Western Michigan while adding 12 rebounds. She contributed highs of 21 points and 17 boards at Howard.
- Bogunovic has led the Terps in scoring and rebounding, three times apiece.
- Against WMU, she scored 22 points in the second half to help produce the best scoring effort by a Maryland player since Dafne Lee tied the school scoring mark with 39 points at Wake Forest on Feb. 16, 1990. Her 32-point effort tied Maryland's seventh best of all-time. She hit 16 field goals to fall two shy of Vicky Bullett's Maryland record of 18, and match what was then the best in the ACC this season.
- Against Howard, Bogunovic scored Maryland's first three baskets and had 10 of the Terps' first 14 points. She ended the first half with seven of Maryland's last eight points including a layin with :36 in the half to put the Terrapins in the lead. She shot 8 of 9 from the floor in the first half. Her 17 points at halftime matched her previous career high.
IN THE PAINT
Certainly a strength of the young Terrapin club has been its inside game with the play of Bogunovic and newcomers Deedee Warley (Fort Washington, Md.), Rosita Melbourne (Washington, D.C.) and Cara Ferris (Pensacola, Fla.) - all of whom average over 4.5 rebounds per game. Returning junior Antonieta Gabriel (Virginia Beach, Va.) averages 5.6 rebounds including a career-high 13 against Wake Forest.
However, after Maryland outrebounded its first five opponents, the Terps have been outrebounded in three straight games against ACC or nationally-ranked opponents.
- Branka Bogunovic has had career nights at Howard and against Western Michigan, combining for 53 points and 29 rebounds in those two games.
- Ferris (13) and Melbourne (12) also registered double-digit rebounds for the Terps at Howard, adding to 17 by Bogunovic. Together, the trio shot 17 for 33 (52.5%) from the floor.
- The same trio shot 12 for 20 (60%) vs. Hampton, with Melbourne shooting 6 of 7 for a career best 14 points.
- Bogunovic, Ferris, Melbourne and Warley have combined to shoot 48.3 percent (117 of 242) for the season.
MORE FRESHMEN PAINT
Local freshmen Rosita Melbourne and Deedee Warley have commanded an inside presence in every game this season. Maryland has outrebounded its opponent in five of eight games, with Melbourne and Warley averaging 5.9 and 4.5 rebounds, respectively.
- Warley was chosen the ACC Rookie of the Week following the Penn State and Wake Forest games with career bests of 18 and 12 points, respectively.
- Since averaging 7.0 and 5.4 rebounds after five games, Melbourne and Warley have been held to 4.0 and 3.0 averages vs. ACC and ranked opponents in the last three games.
- At Loyola, Melbourne and Warley scored nine of 10 Maryland points during a 10-4 run which brought the Terps back from a 33-28 deficit. Melbourne's jumper in the paint gave the Terps a brief 38-36 lead.
- Melbourne is second on the Terps with 5.9 rebounds including a career-high 12 boards at Howard. She led the Terps with seven at Loyola.
FERRIS & THE FRESHMEN
Boasting six freshmen on the roster and missing returning starters Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, the Terps have obviously counting heavily on those half-dozen freshmen. Maryland newcomers, including JC transfer Cara Ferris, account for 74 percent of total minutes played.
Player Minutes Points Rebounds March Strickland 301 80 23 Ginji Perry 164 27 18 Rosita Melbourne 193 57 47 Deedee Warley 210 69 36 Ije Agba 53 15 11 Marija Ilic 14 0 3 Freshmen Totals 935 248 138 % of Team Total 58% 64% 43%HOW INEXPERIENCED?Cara Ferris (JC Transfer) 245 25 46 Newcomer Totals 1180 273 184 Percent of Team Total 74% 71% 58%
MARYLAND TOTALS 1600 386 318
Maryland has been playing with just one of its top eight scorers from last season. With its top four scorers graduated, one injured, one ineligible, and two others lost to transfer or graduation, Branka Bogunovic has been the ONLY player to return that averaged 2.0 points or better or played even 10 minutes per game.
Counting Antonieta Gabriel as a "virtual" newcomer after a 1.4 point average in 8.1 minutes last season, "newcomers" average 87.5% of Maryland's minutes, 73.3% of scoring and 82.1% of rebounds.
FERRIS CONTRIBUTIONS
JC transfer Cara Ferris has not scored the most points nor pulled down the most rebounds, yet, for the Terps, but she has provided steady efforts in each of Maryland's eight games. A starter in six games, Ferris is currently second on the club with 30.6 minutes per game. She leads the team with 17 steals and is third on the team with 5.8 rebounds and a 42.9 percent (12 of 28) shooting clip.
GABRIEL ASSISTS & BOARDS
When the Terps have been successful in moving the ball into the frontcourt, Antonieta Gabriel has proven adept at directing the ball to Maryland's inside trio of Bogunovic, Melbourne and Warley. Gabriel dished a combined 17 assists vs. Western Michigan (10) and Hampton (7). She also is one of four Terps with 5.0 rebounds or better. She recorded a career-best 13 rebounds vs. Wake Forest.
- Gabriel's 10 assists against Western Michigan were the most by a Maryland player since Karon Ferguson turned in 10 against NC State in a 71-63 win on Feb. 13, 1994. Gabriel's feat was the best by a forward or center since Bonnie Rimkus had 10 in the same season (Dec. 28, 1993) against Maryland-Eastern Shore.
FROM THE STRIPE
Maryland has shot just over 12 free throws per game, and made only 54 percent of those. Opponents have made 90 free throws compared to Maryland's 53. March Strickland has been Maryland's top free throw shooter, netting 23 of 28 for 82.1 percent - third in the ACC.
NOT SUCH AN EASY BEGINNING
All four Maryland games to begin the regular season were against teams which advanced at least to their respective conference title games.
- Maryland's first four opponents boasted a combined record of 83-31 (.728) from last season. The Terps opened against Southern Conference champion UNC Greensboro (21-9). A drive to Baltimore three nights later pitted the Terps against Loyola which upended Maryland last season in College Park en route to a 20-9 record and second place finish in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Crosstown rival and three-time NCAA participant Howard (23-7) downed the Terps on Nov. 20. Maryland fell to MEAC runner-up Hampton (19-5) last Tuesday.
BEST CLASS SINCE '85-86?
Not since the freshman campaign of current pros Deanna Tate and Olympian Vicky Bullett has Maryland welcomed a freshman class with as much promise. The Terps boasted seven freshmen out of 15 players in 1985-86, compared to six of 12 on this season's roster.
The '98-99 freshman class has been regarded as one of the top 20 classes in the country, and includes the 40th-rated prospect in Rosita Melbourne.
The '85-86 team finished 17-13 overall and just 6-8 in the ACC, but rebounded to win the sixth of Chris Weller's eight ACC tournament titles. Maryland fell to Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Different from the '85-86 team is this season's total dependence on those freshmen. Freshmen on the 1985-86 club totaled 46 starts through a 30-game season. So far after just eight games this year, Maryland freshmen have registered 21 starting assignments.
NOT JUST FRESHMEN, (VERY) LOCAL TOO
Maryland's bumper crop of freshmen includes a quartet of local stars that come widely regarded by local and national publications. Ije Agba, Rosita Melbourne, Ginji Perry and Deedee Warley all prepped at D.C.-area high schools and received All-Met honors by the Washington Post.
Melbourne arrives as potentially the best post athlete during Weller's tenure and was a highly regarded recruit nationally.
Perry was the All-Met Player of the Year in 1996-97. All played their high school ball within 20 minutes of the Maryland campus.
QUOTING COACH WELLER
On Wake Forest game: "It's tough. We're just short-handed at guard. I've always known the point guard is terribly important, and guards are probably the most important players to have on the court because they do dictate the tempo of the game. And now, any coach in America that wants any advice on the importance of guards, they can give me a call. I thought we played as hard as we can play. We stuck to the game plan pretty well. We got into the middle of the second half and gave them a few transition buckets, and it was a tough challenge for some of our players we asked to play 40 minutes. Deedee Warley is not petite, and she's guarding guards and then she's coming down and scoring. She's doing some of everything. I thought she did well, she's got a lot to handle. So does March . So does Cara. They all do. I think the mood of the team is surprisingly positive without being casual. I think that they want to win. They're working hard. There is a point where you just have to have some guards to play."
On March Strickland: "She's been going 40 minutes. It will be nice if, hopefully, Tiffany [Brown] is back for our next game. March might still play a little point guard, but at least we'll be able to start splitting up the minutes. She's done a real good job for the position that we've been in."
On keys to improving: "We need to get our guards back, that's the biggest thing. The good thing, maybe, out of all this, is that March has gotten a lot more minutes than she would have if Kelley [Gibson] and Tiff were around. Cara, too, and Deedee too. But even when they get back, we are still young. We're just young. We just have to continue to gain experience and work hard."
On 13 turnovers vs. Wake Forest: "That was great for us. It was the best we've done all year. That was one of the good things that I thought came out of this game. I do think we controlled the ball better, and I thought our defense played a little better, but [Wake Forest] shot pretty well."
On difficulties handling pressure: "[The reason is] the inexperience and the lack of guards. We just don't have any guards. March is doing a good job. She's getting better and I can see March growing as a player. It's just hard to prepare for [pressure] when you can't simulate it in practice."
