March 22, 2004

On how Notre Dame compares with North Carolina…
“I think they are very different, and they still pose us with a matchup problem, but I am very confident in our preparation. They are not the type of athletes that the North Carolina players are, but they are still very athletic, they’re very strong. They play extremely well together, they are a team.”

On her team’s preparation for Tuesday’s game…
“We need to be aware of what their specific strengths are, one of which is [junior forward] Jacqueline Batteast, and to make sure we take away those strengths.”

On facing Notre Dame junior forward Jacqueline Batteast…
“We’ll have several different people guarding her depending on which position she is playing, either one of the players on our front line will match up well with her. However, no matter who is guarding her, we have to be aware that there needs to be support.

We especially need to take away her driving lines to the basket. She is very effective from the high-post area and the free throw area, we’re aware of that. We know what she wants to do and how she wants to maneuver.

With her playing two different positions, literally everyone will have a chance to guard her. Depending on what position she’s playing, any of the six people that played on Sunday will spend time guarding her.”

On her team’s confidence going into Tuesday’s game…
“My staff gives me confidence, and my team gives me confidence. How can I possibly expect them to go out there and be confident and poised and compete, if I don’t believe that we don’t have a chance to win.

It doesn’t matter what the rest of the world thinks, and I know there is going to be a very boisterous crowd out there, and a majority of them will not be cheering for Middle Tennessee, but we’re here to win, we are not just happy to be here. That’s been our mindset the entire time. We wanted to get to the NCAAs, that was our goal the entire time, its why you’ve worked so hard, and if you’re going to go, why celebrate on just going? I think we have a very good chance to win, if we play well.”