NCAA FIRST ROUND: Press Conference
Mar 20 | Women's Basketball
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STORRS, Conn. - The Rutgers women's basketball team met the media on Friday afternoon as they gear up for its Saturday evening first round NCAA match-up up with Seton Hall.
Rutgers C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers Head Coach
On being back in the NCAA tournament:
"This is nice, I like the logo with the basketball with the halo around it. I'm used to that. And we definitely want the Scarlet Knights to be used to that."
On being back in the Big Ten:
"It is interesting. Sometimes you are trying to figure out if you are in the Big East, the Big Ten or the American Athletic Conference. But to be very positive about what's going on in the Big Ten, we are really excited about the outstanding competition. As our players were saying, the styles are somewhat different but make no mistake about it; the Big Ten is a different conference when I was last there. The skill level of the players is outstanding."
On UConn being at the end of the road:
"I'm really happy for our team to get an opportunity to witness and to experience that great crowd support. That is if and trust me in hoping we get past Seton Hall. That is not a given. We had a double overtime game at our place and I thought what are the odds of that happening that we play Seton Hall again in the first round of the NCAA just like we did in the WNIT. Be that as it may I thought it is exciting our players are somewhat familiar with their players, the coaches have done a great job and we are very proud to have two teams coming out of the state of New Jersey."
Senior forward/guard Betnijah Laney
On the battle of the New Jersey teams:
"We were very excited, especially being two New Jersey teams and being so close to home. It's really great for us because both teams can have their fans and family be there."
On getting one NCAA Tournament win for the seniors:
"It is really important for us as seniors because throughout our whole college career we haven't - aside from freshman year- been here. Even our freshman year we lost the first round. So it will be another accomplishment for us to be here and compete and also get a win."
On being back in the NCAA Tournament :
"We definitely missed it. Our class is the only one who has experienced a little bit of the NCAA. We used the other years as stepping stones. Each year I think we progressed, especially last year and going to the WNIT. That definitely gave us a taste of what it could be like playing six games back-to-back."
Junior forward Kahleah Copper
On Seton Hall seniors:
"We can definitely see it (on tape) and coach Stringer put a lot of emphasis on it that these players are experienced and they are going to come out and give it their all so we are just ready to come out and compete."
On transition to new conference:
"It was interesting being in three different conferences but I enjoyed the Big Ten this year, it was very competitive and I thought we brought it every night. I can respect the Big Ten for being so competitive."
