Opening statement:
“We played solid in spurts. I thought we were ready to play. The first quarter, we came out and played really hard. Obviously it’s a forty minute game and we challenge our team to play hard for forty minutes. We have to be able to play hard for forty minutes.”
On the state of the team:
“We’re still a work in progress. That’s what we’re still working through. At this point, we’re trying to build on somethings and we’re doing that and that’s what your non-conference slate is for.”
On changes in starting line-up:
“We’re just trying to find a lineup that will play hard for 40 minutes. Consistency is a big thing. I thought for the Syracuse game that the starting line-up that we had was the line-up that broke it open for us. We want to reward players that stay consistent.”
On 3-point attempts:
“We definitely thought that we had a size advantage on the inside but we definitely have to be able to have an inside/outside balanced attack so we’re still trying to find where some of our 3s are going to come from in terms of our guard play.”
On Shatori Walker-Kembrough:
“She had a great approach to the game. She’s a veteran that comes out and plays hard on both ends of the floor. She defends, scores and rebounds for us. She’s been in big games so she knows how important it is to be consistent.”
On forcing passes down low:
"I think it was a little bit of both. Also at times a lack of concentration. I thought we had too many turnovers with forcing passes that weren't there. We thought we could thread the needle and make the home run pass, we just have to be better decision makers."
"She was very focused on the game. She was locked in. She had a great practice yesterday. Both her and Kiara [Leslie] have really locked in. That's what we have to have from both of them. Kiah was ready to play from the tip and she had a really good overall game."
"When you're a special player you understand. Shatori has really embraced that role for us to be ready to come out and play. Just all of her experience; her time with USA Basketball, her big game experience in the Final Fours. She understands how important it is to jump out to a quick start. Credit her, it makes us a better team with her energy."
On staying focused for every game:
"We're trying to get better everyday. Each game keeps you humble and hungry. There's a lot of things for us to continue to get better and improve. That's what this season is about, to get better each game and be ready for March."
On coming off the bench:
"It's definitely a different approach. Sometimes things will change. It's good for me to see it for a different perspective. It was good to get me ready, focus me, and just kind of being ready coming in the game and know what's going on. To know who's in the game and who to guard. Being more alert, I think I did pretty well."
On being more alert:
"I think that when you're in the game it's kind of easier to know what's going on, but coming off the bench that really shows whether your paying attention to the game. It was really important for me to get that side to know whether I was focused and paying attention to my team."
On staying focused with big leads:
"We just stick with the game plan and keep trying to execute."
On the team's ball movement:
"That's something we struggle with. Holding the ball too long on the perimeter and not penetrating on the defense. Today we had some runs where it was moving, but we had times where it stalled. We just have to be precise and not thread the needle."
On starting the game:
“It’s always great to start, but at the same time, it doesn’t matter. I am willing to do whatever I can do to help my team win. I think regardless if you’re on the floor first or the bench, you still have to be focused because you never know when your number is going to be called so if you’re not locked in, you’re not going to be ready.”
On Maryland’s defense:
“As of right now, we are trying to work to become a better defensive team. So we’re trying to work together to limit the other team’s open shots and making them work down the shot clock. Right now we’re trying to build our consistency on defense.”
