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March 8, 2010

Texas Head Coach Gail Goestenkors
On the win over Baylor: We knew that they'd be up for that game. It's a great rivalry and especially because they didn't have Brittney Griner, we thought other players would rise to the occasion and you could see that, especially in the first half. We had an early nine point lead and we let it slip away, then they got the advantage. I thought we regrouped at half time and I thought we played some really good basketball in the second half, especially when we went to our zone. It seemed to cause them quite a few problems. Overall, I was really pleased. I thought it gave us some good momentum heading into the Big 12 Tournament.

On keeping Baylor to just two field goals in the second half: I didn't realize it until after the game when someone said they were 2-for-25 in the second half. I knew it was a drought, but I didn't realize that it had spanned for over 16 minutes.

On the success of the zone defense: We used the same defense against Missouri. In the second half we went to a 2-3 zone against Missouri, but we didn't use our big line up. We've worked on it some during practice but it's not something that we've used much at all during the course of the year. It's probably something we'll use more now that we've got some success with it.

On having two wins heading into the Big 12 Tournament: I think that was huge for us. We went through a three-game losing streak. We had a six-game winning streak then a three-game losing streak, and I had told the team that every team besides Nebraska had gone through winning and losing streaks, but now it's time for us to start another winning streak. We're 2-0 heading into the Big 12 Tournament and one was at home and one was on the road, so I think they were really good momentum builders for us.

On the lack of depth at the point guard position: If Ashleigh Fontenette isn't ready to play, that is a big concern of ours because we need that ball handling. Erika [Arriaran], she stepped up and I thought she did a great job especially in the second half after AT went down. We have also practiced with Earnie [Williams] at the three as well. We practiced with a really big line up with Earnie, Ashley Gayle, and Cokie Reed together. That would make for a great, big line up, but as far as the ball handling it is a concern.

On facing Missouri again: I think the advantage is that we don't have to do a lot of prep work. The players know them. We can break down the tape we just had and their last game against Texas Tech and be ready to go and that's the advantage. The disadvantage is you really don't like to play teams almost back-to-back. They're always a very scary team. Missouri always does really well in the Big 12 Tournament. And it's their farewell to their coach, Cindy Stein, so I know those players will be playing for her.

On what she says to the team now that it's the postseason: It's just a new season. Every single possession matters. We've had a tendency to turn the ball over a little too much and sometimes you can get away with it in the middle of the season, but at this time of the year you know that every free throw is going to matter, every single possession is going to matter. It's about really tightening up some of the things you do and taking care of the little things that in the end take care of the big things for you.

Senior guard Brittainey Raven
On the win at Baylor: I think we did a good job at sustaining their run. They had momentum going into the beginning of the second half and we just came in, coach made some subs and we got some stops and started to execute on the offensive end. On the defensive end we just really picked it up. Everyone was in the right position, our main focus was to have two feet in the paint and I think throughout the entire game we were all really focused and played our positions really well.

On limiting Baylor to just two field goals in the second half: I didn't really notice until Cokie [Reed] and Ashley [Gayle] were getting blocks left and right in the paint and we went to a time out and coach said. "You know, we're doing a really good job on the defensive end and they haven't hit a field goal in a really long time." I think that gave us even more confidence to continue to play the defensive we were playing.

On having a two-game winning streak heading into the postseason: It's great for us. It builds on to our confidence. Obviously we're going to keep playing the way that we're playing and continue to improve on things from the Baylor game and the Missouri game where we weren't on point as we could be.

On the team's mentality going into the postseason: We know going into postseason that it's one and done so we have to play every game like it's our last. We have to do our best to be consistent, stay focused and stay together.

On the injuries at the point guard position and battling fatigue: This isn't the first time we've had injuries. So the upperclassmen, myself, Erika, Earnie, Kristen and Kat, we're used to playing a lot of minutes at a time. Like Cokie [Reed] said, we've got to fight through fatigue and stay together. Our main focus is on winning so I doubt we'll think about being tired when it comes game time.

Freshman post Cokie Reed
On playing in Waco on Sunday: It's always exciting to go back home. I grew up watching Baylor and going to their games. Just to be at Texas and playing against them, it was fun.

On what the team needs to do for the postseason: Just to stay focused. It's the end of the season and we just have to keep going at it strong.

On the possibility of playing Texas A&M again: They're a good defensive team. With the two times that we did play them, we didn't have good shooting nights, so hopefully that will change if we do play them in the tournament.

On the team's two-game winning streak heading into the postseason: I think we have some momentum going into postseason, we've got two wins after a three-game losing streak so I'm happy with where we're at and we've got good momentum.