April 3, 2006
Senior Forward Mistie Williams
On the last meeting with Maryland:
"During that game we had some defensive breakdowns. They were getting offensive rebounds. When we looked at the stats of that game we were wondering how we lost because it was so close and it came down to free throws. They had made a big run on us and then we made a big run to get back in the game and it came down to free throws at the end of the game. I think we missed 13 free throws. That's the game right there."
On Duke's balance:
"Different players have showed up every game that we've played. Alison Bales has come up big this tournament. It's the best she's played and I hope it stays this way through the rest of this season and into next season because she's playing phenomenal. Abby Waner, despite her playing so well at the beginning of the season and then having that freshman lull, she's jumped back and is more confident than ever, she's not in there tentative, thinking maybe I shouldn't shoot. She's in there as hard as anyone else and everybody's playing a pivotal role in the way that we're playing right now."
On pressure:
"This program has had pressure on it since I've been here to win a national championship. More pressure in the past than there is now because when you have Alana Beard and Iciss Tillis, you expect to win a national championship. This year, more than ever, we have taken that pressure and put it on all of us and not to just one person, to have Monique [Curry] score 20 points a game or have Coach G come up with a perfect game plan. Everybody has taken a little bit of the pressure so that way it's not overbearing...We work well under pressure and personally, I don't feel any pressure at this moment. We're just so close that there's no need to feel any pressure."
On going to Duke:
"I'm not a homebody, I don't worry about being away from my family. I'm a very free spirit. Coming from Wisconsin, it's been a great journey. Coming from high school, being an All-American and all the accolades that you get, then coming into completely different surroundings, a different atmosphere and you have to start all over again. I think that's where a lot of kids go from being children to being adults because you have to make your own decisions and you have to fight through adversity in order to get what you want."
On Duke's post play:
"Coach G has said from day one that in order to win the national championship, our post play has to be top notch. It had to be good and she pushed us so hard during the season to make sure that we were really competing against one another because it's very rare that you see a 6'6, 6'7, 6'3 post group so when we come to games it's not as difficult to score on the bigger players, especially for me. In order to win a national championship, you have to have balance and the teams that are in the championship game have that balance."
On the Maryland-Duke rivalry and age difference:
"The only thing that I think is a factor is that they beat us the last time we played. As far as them being young, they don't play like it, so I don't think that will have anything to do with it."
On the confidence level of both teams:
"You have to have confidence to get to this point. If you don't have confidence, a team will beat you. There's been no sense of them being scared, being intimidated. They're just a great team and I hand it to Brenda Frese for instilling that confidence in them and allowing them to walk with the swagger."
On her previous Final Four experience:
"I've only been to two, this is my second. My first time, I was just completely overwhelmed with everything that was happening that I can barely remember the game, that's how overwhelmed I was. Last night when I stepped out onto the floor and saw everybody there, I was nervous and I think that played a huge part in my first time being here, because it was so loud I was just lost. This year, it's different because I feel like this team is more prepared than we have ever been for any situation. I think the freshman have done a tremendous job in not getting caught up in all of this too. We've done a great job keeping everybody really calm and making sure everybody realizes that we're only here for one reason, and that's to win."
On playing basketball in Wisconsin:
"Wisconsin basketball I give so much credit too because it has gotten me to this point. Without it being as big as it was, I wouldn't be here right now."
On teammate Alison Bales:
"I think last night, Coach G was on the bench and she said, 'She's my hero'...When you're going into the lane and you want to make a layup, whoever's going in there has to realize that Ally is in there. She's in your brain before the game even starts. Even when we practice against her, we know she's there...She realizes that we rely so much on her shot blocking ability, that gives her the confidence that she needs to play."
Junior Guard Lindsey Harding
On the advantages of playing Maryland three times already:
"The big advantage is obviously you become very familiar with them and know what they like to do but the disadvantage is they know what you like to do. When it comes right down to it, it's just going to be a fight. Just watching the games yesterday, I remember sitting in the locker room watching the UNC-Maryland game, and one of the commentators said you don't foul unless you draw blood, it's going to be that kind of battle."
On Wanisha Smith:
"We knew that Wanisha was going to play tight. She is an aggressive style player and she takes chances."
On setting the tone against Maryland with the help of Alison Bales:
"I know that I'm going to be the attacker. I'm going to be aggressive, whether it's offensively or defensively. I tend to play better the entire game if I do and Alison has been great at attacking early and her presence on defense gives me the opportunity to pressure so far up because I know if the person gets by me, they are going to have to shoot over Alison."
On the win over LSU:
"We were so well prepared. I don't think I've ever been that prepared for a team. I knew exactly what they were going to do and when they were going to do it. Of course with Maryland you can't really a that because they have so many weapons and that's why they are such a great program."
On Coach G. and her support:
"Coach G. was the reason why I came to Duke. As far as last year, I went through a lot of personal things and she was there for me. Almost everyday she would come up to me and ask me if I was okay before I even stepped foot on the court and our relationship has grown from that. I gained a lot of respect for her because she looked at me as a person before a basketball player. That is why this national championship is so important to me to give to her. I know how hard she worked and I know how people have knocked her saying she has not won the big one yet, but a lot of coaches haven't won the big one but I don't want her to be that coach anymore. It is her time."
Difference between her first Final Four as a freshman and now:
"I was so nervous my freshman year in the Final Four but this year I just want to get out there and play basketball and have fun. I think my freshman year we forgot what it took to get their and now we are playing the best basketball we've played all year."
On predicting the Final Four:
"All the teams I picked to be in the Final Four are here now, I should of written them down but I know that these were the teams that had what it took to get here."
On Boston:
"I haven't been here in this part of Boston, but the last time we came here to play Boston College, we all said we got to come back here in April. We want to come back."
On After Last Night's Game:
"I watched the some of the Maryland and UNC game in the locker room and watched some of our game back at the hotel. We were all watching our game trying to call the plays before they happened like she hit that shot, or look out there's a turnover. We just watched and had our little time to celebrate because we knew it was going to be a short time. Now we have to prepare and get back to business. When we beat Connecticut I had time to laugh and celebrate because I knew we had a few days before I had to work on my next opponent, but now it feels great. I'm so happy to be here, but I need to stay focused on what I have to do."
If they win tomorrow night will they have a victory dance:
"I took gymnastic for years and I told everyone if we win I'll do back flips up and down the court."
After Maryland loss:
"It wasn't our best game, we weren't too aggressive, we played so casual that game and I don't know why. Coach G gave us the following couple days off and some went home others just hung out and we came back on Monday wanting to play. I could not wait to get back to practice we all were ready to go. It's a revenge thing now, they beat us last time and we want to get that back. It worked our perfectly they were the last team to beat us. It will be a great game."
Work on before tournament:
"Rebounding. Rebounding at this point in the season is crucial. When you give a team multiple chances to get points that'll kill you. When you cut it down to one it gives you a chance to win. That's why we won against UConn. We out rebounded them by 20 and only shot for 28%. It was all about rebounding.
Anticipating for tomorrow's game:
"I don't want to think about it too much just go out and play like I did against LSU."
Coach G:
"I know she is under a lot of pressure, but she's doing a great job. We play a lot better when we are having fun, when we are yelling and chest bumping. That's what we have to remember I need to have fun first. I missed the locker room dance, but when I came in I saw her jumping up and down. Coach G has been more relaxed and enjoying the ride this year."
Favorite Moment:
"Is going to the Final Four and seeing everyone smile. I was holding back tears because I was so proud of this team and what we accomplished. I hope my biggest memory will be winning a national championship. But for right now I would say beating UConn because it was a team effort and team win.
On Monique Currie Coming Back:
"I was sitting in the back when she announced she was coming back. That morning all the seniors were all dressed up and Monique was running on the treadmill and we asked what are you working out for are you coming back? She wouldn't look at us and just looked down and smiled. Me and a couple of my teammates were in the back and when she said she was coming back I jumped up and smiled. She has meant a lot this season. Here numbers show it. She is such a big part of the team. She knows the game well and I have a lot of trust in her."
Junior Center Alison Bales
On the developing rivalry with Maryland
"We have played Maryland three times this season, and they have played us tough each time. Their big players are a real challenge for anyone to guard. They are very talented. Everyone talks about how young they are, but they are talented and tough."
On Maryland's team
"Maryland is such a good team, no one can take them lightly. Coach Frese has done a great job of getting the most out of her players. They are tough; I would never call them soft. That is the attitude Coach Frese has given them."
On the aftermath of the loss to Maryland in the ACC Tournament
"I went in to have a little talk with with Coach G (Gail Goestenkors), and she told me how much they were counting on me in the NCAAs and it really gave me a shot of confidence. That game was a low point for me, because I didn't think that I helped my team in that game. I needed to be more aggressive, and I will need to be that way tomorrow night. I need to shoot the ball when I am open and play well on defense."
More on the loss
"After that loss, we as a team had to go back and check over the things we were doing. Coach G made practices tougher, and I think that is the reason why we are playing more aggressively now. Rebounding was a problem in that game, so she made it a priority in practices and it has paid off in this tournament."
On the mood of the Duke team
"Everyone is really excited, we are excited to be here playing a great team for the championship. I don't think we will do anything different than we have been. It seems like the stuff we have been doing for each game has worked so far. We understand it is a game on the one hand, but at the same time we have put a lot of work into this season and this goal and so obviously we want to win and see it pay off."
On the post play in this tournament
"For us, the focus all year has been on the inside-outside play. Our balance and depth down there has helped us in the tournament."
On Mistie Williams
"Mistie is one of our hardest-working players, she does a great job crashing the boards and she always gets put on great players defensively. She did a great job last night against (LSU's Sylvia Fowles)."
On matching up with Maryland's Laura Harper and Crystal Langhorne
"I don't think that you can take anything away from them completely, instead you have to work on containing the things they can do. They are both active at both ends, so you try to take things away from them. They are both talented and complete players. Laura is a great player, she played very well the last time we played them and she did a good job last night. I thought we did a poor job defensively against her last time, and she took advantage."
On her shot-blocking abilities
"As a freshman, I did not have my timing down-everything was faster and the players were stronger. By my sophomore year I felt I had bridged the gap."
On her best moment of the tournament so far
"I hope it's yet to come! If I had to pick one so far, though, it would probably be the win over Connecticut last weekend and then last night's win. What I will probably remember, though, is how much fun we have had as a team doing stuff. We have done everything as a team, and that is going to be the thing that stays with me."
On how much fun the team is having
"If you watch us play, you can tell how much fun we're having by how much chest-bumping we do. When we do good things you can see people turning and looking to see if teammates are running at them to do it."
On teammate Monique Currie
"She is our best player, just amazing on the court. It's not just about the statistics, she's a leader for us, vocally and in the way she plays. She has done a great job for us as a fifth-year senior."
Sophomore Guard Wanisha Smith
On what she and the team need to do Tuesday night against Maryland:
"I think we both know each other pretty well. We have watched a lot of film on them. We are very familiar with them as they are with us. I think it is going to come down to who wants it the most. It is going to come down to rebounding and taking care of the ball for us. Our coaching staff has prepared us very well. We are very excited to be here. This was a goal of ours at the beginning of the season. I think we have played very hard throughout the season and I think we deserve to be here."
Your comments on your last meeting against Maryland:
"I feel that they were not missing. They came out with a lot of fight. They came out with a lot of confidence and that helped them in the long run. They hit a lot of tough shots. We had a lot of turnovers too. I think we need to get better in the rebounding department. We need to focus more."
Who seems to be the most excited?
"I think our seniors, because this is their last time coming out. I think everyone was excited but they know this is there last time out. They have played really hard and they deserve to be here. They have helped us younger player and have helped relieve some of the stress that we are going through. Having them around is really great. They give us the experience that each team needs."
What has been the reaction back on campus and from your friends?
"I have received a ton of phone calls and haven't even checked my e-mails. I think most have realized that our girls can play also. I think the reaction has been great. I think most are excited for us back on campus."
Can you talk about Maryland's swagger?
"They are playing with a lot of confidence right now. I think each team has a little swagger when they play us. They know they are playing one of the top teams in the country. They are playing some really good basketball and have beaten some really good teams."
Can you talk about how Coach G relieves the stress and makes you feel relaxed?
"She is really relaxed. During the UConn game she told a joke in the huddle. (Going into OT, she asked the team if they went into OT just to pad their stats.) It took a lot of pressure off us. We are looking at her like, are you serious? I feel like the entire season the team has felt a sense of confidence as a result of her relaxed demeanor. In stressful situations she is always smiling, telling us that everything is going to be ok."
About the book she had to read:
"My book was The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I think it made me realize that you never know who you are going to meet and to make sure you treat each person you meet with respect. I think it taught me how to communicate with each other."
Senior Guard/Forward Monique Currie
On what she sees of the game between two of the top offenses in the nation:
"The games these days, the players are so much more athletic and that makes the game faster. I'd rather play transition all day than run plays. It's more fun to play, read screens and play a motion style of basketball. Maryland has great players, they are very capable and that makes us have to be more focused. We know their tendencies, we just have to execute."
On coming back to play this season:
"I flirted with going to the WNBA. However, I wasn't satisfied with how the season ended last year. I wanted to achieve my ultimate goal, I thought the chances of us being in Boston were good and I wanted to be a part of that."
On what she did in the offseason:
"I was up every morning at 5:30 to be in my high school gym to begin practice shooting at 6:00. I developed my 3-point and outside shot. I had been known as a slicer and a driver for most of my career. I knew it would make me more prepared for the next level."
On her respect for Coach Goestenkors:
"I've grown to love Coach G over the years. I respect her and how much she loves basketball and how dedicated she is to the program. I know people knock her because we haven't won a national championship. I just want to be a part of something that would make history for her."
On the WNBA draft:
"I've not thought about it much. I'm concentrating on winning a national championship."
On being a balanced team:
"Before the season started Coach G told me that my minutes would go down so my numbers would go down as well. And, when I entered the game I had to be more efficient in what I did. I would rather my numbers go down if it would help us win a national championship. We are definitely a balanced team; they look to me for leadership."
On what happened in the loss to Maryland that can't happen on Tuesday:
"I looked at the stat sheet for that game and can't figure out how we lost. The only difference was at the free throw line. Also, we can't let them want it more than us."
On how the ACC prepares teams for NCAA Tournament play:
"The ACC teams play an up tempo style of play. We are the best conference in the nation. Every night you have to go out and fight or you'll get beat. Our conference play prepares us for the NCAA Tournament. We've seen everything there is to see during conference play, we're ready for anything."
