Selection Monday
Head Coach Brenda Frese
On the excitement when you see your name on the board:
"It's an honor. It's the collection of all the hard work you put into the season to be one of the best 64 teams announced. From our end it never gets old. We'll always cherish the moments, especially with our family and friends in the stands. It's a tremendous amount of respect in terms of the work that you put in."
On having the first two rounds at home:
"That's what you work so hard for during the season, to earn the right to host. For our fans to be able to come out and support us right here in Xfinity Center and you hope for two home games. It's a tremendous opportunity for us that we don't take for granted."
On if she thinks Maryland was under-seeded:
"I do. When you talk about thirty wins and you win your regular season and conference tournaments, what else are you supposed to do. For us, it's always been a number in front of your name. You just have to get as prepared as you can for the opportunity in front of us."
On if this is the toughest road for any three seed:
"Yea, you have to play the Patriot League and Big 12 champs, Elon won their conference, possibly Duke, UConn. Yea, it's one of the toughest I've seen. The team that gets out of the region, to be able to go to a Final Four is much deserving."
On if there's any added motivation to play for your seniors:
"All season long you play for your seniors. What Shatori and Brionna have meant to our program, they've led and guided every step of the way. Everyone is working extremely hard to send them out the right way."
On the biggest lesson they learned from last season's early exit:
"I think we've learned from Washington that we got started too late. One of the things we've talked about is punch first and set the tone early. Don't gage another team and let them get hot from the tip. That's something that we've tried to really utilize as a team this season to prepare us for now."
Senior Forward Brionna Jones
On how important it is to take each game one at a time:
“I think ever since last year we have focused on taking it one game at a time and not looking past anything. I think with that mindset and the motivation that this is our last year, I think we are just going to go out there and play our best basketball.”
On how much confidence she has in the young players:
“We have a lot of confidence. The way our freshmen and other players stepped up during the Big Ten tournament is giving us a lot of confidence going into the NCAA tournament.”
On what Brionna thinks about the seeding:
“I think you have to play the best to win so I am excited to play against the best and we are ready for the challenge.”
On how Brionna feels about the matchups in their bracket:
“You can only control what you can control. I think that is outside of our control. We did what we came to do; we won the Big Ten and that is what we set out to do. I think just continuing on to our next goal of winning a National Championship. I think that is what we are focused on now.”
On if Brenda shares any information from the 2006 National Championship run:
“She does. She talks about how nobody counted them in. I think having the mindset that anybody can do it and it is up for grabs for anybody.”
Senior Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
On how she feels about being in this bracket:
“I think it is important to stay true to our identity and not changing no matter who we play. Staying true to who we are and what we know. We are going to tighten up on the little things. Getting better at our defense each and every day because defense wins championships.”
On if Shatori was surprised by the contributions from the freshmen:
“Not at all. I have the utmost confidence in them. Since day one when they stepped on campus they have been competing. They are competitors, they are fearless, they step up to the moment, and they take on the challenge. You saw that against UConn, the best team in the nation. They stepped up and I have the utmost confidence in them. They are going to be a key part to our run in the tournament.”
On how Maryland will handle all the tough competition:
“One game at a time. Right now we are focused on Bucknell. They are a great team and I haven’t seen them play much this season, but like I said we have to take it one game at time because at this point the records are 0-0 and everyone is good.”
