Head Coach Brenda Frese
Opening statement:
“I’m really proud of our game. I thought this team set the tone and it started with our seniors and our defense. I thought we were ready to play - everyone was really locked in. We came out early and punched right away. I thought, collectively, to be able to use our depth, to only have 10 turnovers - we shared the basketball and I thought it was one of our most complete games as a team. When you look at our bench depth, it was tremendous tonight, and we’re excited to be able to build upon this game.”
On Ohio State coming up next game:
“We didn’t even bring it up. They understand the value of every game. They know what’s ahead, but they also understand that the next game doesn’t matter if you don’t take care of the game in front of you. This team is extremely competitive, like you see, and I thought they dominated as many aspects as they could tonight.”
On the reserves, specifically Blair Watson:
“Blair, I’m not surprised. She had a really good practice and played really confidently. Again, the energy from our veteran players for her was really strong. If we want to be playing three games in three days in the Big Ten Tournament, our depth is going to be key.”
On the team's defense:
“That was our energy and our effort. I thought our starters set the tone defensively and they were locked in. Like I said, I loved the responses out of it. If we made a mistake, we went back and would take a charge. If we had a loose ball, it was ours. I just think our mentality—which led to a lot of success for steals by being active in the passing lanes—really helped us. I’m excited. This group is really competitive and they continue to show just how dominant they can be.”
Senior Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
On how Maryland plays their hardest for any game:
“Coach has been emphasizing consistency no matter who we play. We are just trying to focus on ourselves and we are trying to get better each and every day in practice and in the games. Just trying to play to that level each and every game no matter who the opposing team is. I think that is our next step on offense and defense, just maintaining that consistency and maintaining that energy throughout a 40-minute game.”
On whether this is an important game before the Ohio State match-up:
“Yeah definitely. I thought we did a really good job from start to finish. Continuing to be competitive on both ends of the floor, I thought today was a really good win.”
Senior Center Brionna Jones
On how the defense of Maryland has improved in the past few games:
“I think coach always talks about that as a mindset and we just came in the last few days in practice attacking our defense. We know it is something that we can improve because it is just effort and putting our mind to it. I think we have been doing that for the last few weeks.”
On if there is room for improvement going into the Big Ten Tournament:
“I think there is always room for improvement. We can always find things to get better at. The little things are what can make a difference in games. We can take care of the little things and staying focused and locked in. We can improve on our effort on defense and executing our game plan."
Freshman Guard Kaila Charles
On how the team felt without Destiny in the lineup:
“There was a different feel because we were missing our starting point guard, but I felt like we all stepped up to the plate as a team to make up for that. I didn’t think it took us long to get in a rhythm because we came out and threw the first punch and it just went up from there.”
Wisconsin Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis
On where Maryland stacks up in comparison to teams in the past:
“I told Brenda before the game, I thought they have a better chemistry than they have had in the past three or four years. That even includes those Final Four teams. I think you look at it and you look at two seniors and in every single game I’ve watched on film they play with a great sense of urgency. I think you see with Brionna Jones, that's what you hope for as a coach. You watch a player improve every year. Brenda made a really good point about when you have a younger sister on the team, you take things to heart. You see the freshmen understanding that and wanting to do everything to allow these seniors to go out the right way. The biggest thing I told Brenda is you take a snapshot of these games — whether it’s in a hostile environment or there’s a run the other team has made — and they just don’t seem rattled. I think it’s a compliment to their point guard who’s a freshman that doesn’t seem rattled. But Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Brionna Jones also don’t seem to get rattled. They just look like they enjoy playing with each other. It doesn’t matter who is on the floor — they understand who they are.”
“I think with Shatori, her closing speed is something that’s hard to mimic in practice. We tried to go to some things to get away from her but when she’s able to get deflections on defense, you can see the collective energy of their team step up. Similar to
Brionna Jones, she’s evolved her offensive game. I know where she stands as a three-point shooter in terms of NCAA records, but that has continued to go up. She’s always been a kid who prided herself on being a great defender and allowing that to dictate what she does for herself and her teammates offensively.”
On Maryland’s defensive effort:
“I think we ran action early and some shots we took were shots we normally get. But you have to give Maryland credit because I think they made us play at a faster pace. They’re really good in transition when their defense can create their offense but I think the thing that gets overlooked is how they are positioned defensively. In the first half they only had one foul. I’m not making any comments on the officiating — they had one foul because they got to spots. I think
Brionna Jones doesn’t commit fouls because she doesn’t try to block a shot by sweeping through. She walls people and gets her body in front. She makes it a very difficult shot. I think in the same sense they had really good help on a drive. And now you’re shooting something where you don’t get your legs under you and you’re contorting your body. When you consider that you look at the best teams in the country and Maryland is one of those teams."
