March 17, 2010
Head Coach Kim Mulkey
On the personnel of Fresno State in comparison to two years ago:
"They have the same players. There are three in their starting lineup that were on that team two years ago. I'm sure their philosophy is the same as it was a few years ago. They like to penetrate and kick-out for the three and they'll push the ball up the floor. I looked at some of our tape from two years ago to see if there was much change and I didn't see a whole lot of change. I thought it was very similar philosophy on the offensive end."
On the similarities between Fresno State's three-point attack and Big 12 foes:
"Yes (they are similar) in the number that they shoot, but their personnel is different and their approach on how they kick out for the three is different than Iowa State and Kansas State. They shoot the three-ball just like those teams in our league. They may not be as big as those teams, but that is where they are looking to score a lot of their points. They also drive a lot more than Iowa State and Kansas State. A lot of their offense is either the three-ball or dribble-penetration. I didn't see much of a mid-range jump shot type team."
On the return of Melissa Jones and the impact that has on the freshman:
"With MJ back, I find myself reviewing plays that they forgot because we haven't run them in over a month. Some of these kids can't execute plays yet. They still think too much out there and with her being off of the floor, I have kind of forgotten about a lot of that that and have just let them go play. When you get (Melissa Jones) back on the floor it allows you to call out plays so now you are back to reminding (the freshman) the plays that they forgot. That is to be expected. Some kids are smarter and some kids pick up on things quicker than others. It is our job as coaches to keep plugging away."
On Fresno State and Baylor's size advantage:
"They are going to have to guard us too. I know we are going to have to guard them at the three. We will do as good of a job as we can including our post players. (Our post players) are going to have to guard people on the perimeter. (Fresno State is) going to have to guard Baylor too. We are going to have a size advantage over a lot of people just because of Brittney Griner. But, in the NCAA playoffs, it doesn't really matter. You have seen so many teams play over their head. You have seen teams upset people that they weren't supposed to beat. We have got to play very good to beat Fresno State. They are basically the only team of the four teams that will have fans there in abundance. The rest of us probably won't have the number of fans that Fresno State will."
Junior Guard Melissa Jones On returning to action:
"I think it was great just in the sense of knowing what it is like to play in a game situation again. It feels like it has been forever since I have been out on the floor. Just being able to get back to practice and be able to get back into the flow of things is awesome."
On playing Fresno State again:
"I remember that was my first NCAA appearance (against Fresno State). I was a bit nervous and just didn't really know what to expect. Being an upperclassman now and having some experience it is going to change the way we are going to play this time."
On Fresno State:
"Fresno State is a very good basketball team. It is going to take all of us to bring everything that we have because it is do-or-die time. They are going to bring their best game so we are going to have to do the same."
