Feb. 8, 2001
Head women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson sat down Thursday afternoon and chatted with fans online. The following is a transcript of the chat session.
For a complete schedule of Baylor coaches scheduled to chat, click here.
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Hi folks -- I'm here, let's get this thing going.
Marty: Hello Kim, Describe what it would take for Baylor to defeat the Top Ranked Women's Teams like Notre Dame, Connecticut and Tennessee in The Women's NCAA Tournament if you play them?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: It would take better players and more depth, but if we had to play them, you would try to shorten the game and keep it as low-scoring as possible. Those teams have a lot of depth and many scorers. We all realize we're not near that level yet.
Pat: Coach Kim, Before coming to Baylor, you were an Associate Head Coach or Assistant Coach for 16 years. How did your job as an assistant compare to your job as head coach, and what has been the most enjoyable part of your job as a head coach?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: The biggest difference is that, as an assistant, you spend more time on the road recruiting. As a head coach, because you don't want to miss practices, you pick and choose when to go recruiting. Another big difference is the amount of sleep. You sleep less as a head coach.
Marty: Hello Kim, What do you attribute to the attention Women's Basketball has recieved by the "Media"-(College and Pro recently)?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: I think TV has really given us great exposure. The players play at a higher level that is entertaining to watch. There are more athletes on the floor today than years ago.
Susie: Why did Baylor loose the three point shooter from Austrailia after she practiced with the team???
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: She said she wanted to go back to college in Australia and graduate in a year and a half, as opposed to three years at Baylor. She didn't know if it was her age, or what, because she is older, she felt this was the right move to make.
Jeff Creel: Hey Coach, I am so proud of you and the girls this year ! What a great season so far ! You and the girls truly make each game fun to watch. I haven't missed a home game yet ! What do you think Baylor's chances are in gaining a playoff berth? Secondly, what are they going to have to do differently to win on the road ? I truly believe that when the Bears have lost they have been playing to not get beat, in stead of playing to win .... how do you change that mentality ? Your doing a great job... Best Wishes and I can't wait to see ya'll whip A & m on Saturday!
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: If I had all the answers, to gain a road victory, we would ertainly have won more on the road. The Big 12 is a tough league to play in and to win on the road. We have to realize that we need more depth, more leadership and more consistent scoring other than one or two players. What has gotten better is our defense. I thought a few road losses were the result of not playing very intelligent on the defensive end of the floor. I'm not on the selection committee, but the only way we will be considered probably is if we finish in the top six in the league.
cindy: La tech lost! State of Texas gain! I enjoyed the article in Dallas morning news. congratulations on one of the top 50 female high school athletes. I lived in Knoxville for 7 years ,so you know I enjoy good womens basketball.I look forward to the growth of womens basketball in the north texas area, with your coaching ability and the love of the game.Good Luck with the Big 12.Maybe you can convert me from a ladyvols fan to a Baylor Bears fan.
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Please come to a game, and we'll try our best to teach you the "Sic 'em, Bears" sign.
bl&cs: from your girls in ruston...just wanted to say congrats on the success you all have had this season...hope all is going well...what do you feel about a potential matchup in ruston for the first and second rounds if you all get in the ncaa tournament?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: You turkeys! You know I don't want to be in Ruston. You all are too good for us. I miss you.
Kyle: Since you have been part of such a successful program like Louisiana Tech, how much does that helped you as you have taken the Baylor program to new heights? Also, how many players do you have returning next year, and who are some of your top recruits for next year? Good luck the rest of the season, and your career!
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: I don't know how much of the Louisiana Tech success has helped us, but I do know I try to emulate successful programs and people. Having been a part of such a successful program, most of what we do comes from that program. I have all but two players returning next year, and five recruits coming in.
Dave Graham: Coach, I had the pleasure of watching you play in college. I want to say you are what college basketball is about. You were a prolific scorer in college and became the finest point guard I have ever seen in women's basketball. I'm very happy for you and your sucess at Baylor. Good luck in the future, thank you for all the outstanding memories I have watching, and God Bless you, your family, and your team.
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Thank you. It seems years ago when I played. One day, I hope my children will believe me when I tell them I used to play.
Judge Roy: Hi Kim congratulations on the great season so far. With this being your first year at Baylor, what do you think has surprised you the most about this years team?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Probably their work ethic. The players really want to compete and take this program to new heights. Each day and each ballgame they want to become better players.
EvansvilleBearFan: I just moved to Southern Indiana from Waco and I wanted to say good luck to you and your team the rest of the season. The talent level in the Big 12 for women's basketball is just amazing. And Baylor has shown that they can compete against anyone in the league. Was your goal in the first year to just compete or was it to go out and win the games you needed to make post-season play?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Before the season, it would have been unrealistic to set a goal of making the NCAA Tournament. As this season has unfolded, and if we can win a few more games and finish in the top half of the Big 12, maybe we'll get a look.
CherylGlancy: Hey Kim- Greetings from your LA fanclub! Your team has shown enormous improvement over the season. What do you think is the hardest part to getting major improvements working as a team?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Hey Cheryl - send me more players that can score consistently night in and night out. Hope all is well on the west coast. Stay in touch.
Mike: Hey Kim, Gotta know if your daughter is leading the Lady Bears out. I loved it when she brought the Techsters out every night.
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Yes.
Brian: Hi, Coach! I just graduated from Baylor last December and was a big fan of the Lady Bears. I was there for the NIT championship game and the dismal games of last season. It's great to see you bring rejuvination to the team and got them headed to toward their first NCAA bid. What do you think has been the biggest factor in turning this team around from the results of last year?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: I don't have all the answers. The kids play hard and compete, and absorb information like sponges.
EvanvilleBaylorFan: I know that there is a big difference in crowds from Rushton to Waco. Do you think that the fans have changed with the improvement of the team?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: We have doubled the fan base this year in Waco compared to last year. We all realize it's because when you win a little bit, people become a little more interested. I hope it will continue.
EvanvilleBaylorFan: From the guy who used to help run the Ferrell Center, I just wanted to say congrats on a great season. I hope that I get a chance to head to the Big 12 tourney. Do you feel that the media pays to much attention to the top programs and teams like Baylor get left behind when they are having great season?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: If you're who I think you are, we miss you. The top programs deserve all the credit, because they are the best. For those of us trying to build a program, we'll take what's left.
BEAR SKIN: Are the twin recruits both healthy now? Will they both be 100% by next year?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: No, they're not both healthy, but hopefully they will be for next year.
Karen: With the success that the Lady Bears have experienced this season, which has included several high-profile wins and time in the national polls, do you see that recruits are stopping to take a closer look at your program and this university than maybe before?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: I don't know the response before our staff was hired. We have felt very good about recruiting from Day One, even before we played our first game this year. There is much to sell about Baylor University, in all facets.
doug: Hey Coach, just curious: Any plans to switch to the one-piece, spandex uniforms worn by the Australian women's national team?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Nope.
EvanvilleBaylorFan: You have played for and coached with many coaches. Do you think that players respond better to a coach that has played the game, or someone who know the game very well?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: A good coach is a good coach. Some have played the game, and some haven't. I don't think it matters, as long as the players realize the coach knows what he/she is doing.
Bill from PA: It seems one of the big requirements to compete in the Big 12 week in and week out is to have plenty of depth because there are no gimme games. I'm sure that's going to be priority number one next year. It's amazing what you've been able to accomplish this year without that depth.
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: I totally agree with you. I hope you're behaving yourself. Do you have any eligibility left?
Kim Mulkey-Robertson: Thanks guys -- it's been fun, but I gotta run. Look forward to doing this again sometime!
