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SENIOR GUARD Erneisha Bailey
On the opportunity to face No. 1 UConn while the Longhorns are playing their best basketball of the season: Going into the last couple of games of the regular season, we really got the ball rolling. We didn't let our loss to Oklahoma State at the Big 12 tournament (semifinals) phase us too much, because we just got back into the gym, worked on the issues we had in that game, and started working really hard again. Right now, we feel good about defeating Minnesota Sunday night, but it's our goal to make a name for ourselves and for the program again, and by playing the No. 1 seed early in the tournament and playing well against them, well, we can accomplish that and go from there.

On the Big 12 Conference's rigorous schedule preparing the Longhorns for the NCAAs: With every game in the Big 12, just because one team looks better on paper doesn't mean that team will win the game. On any given night in our conference, any team can win. I have seen that for four years! Our conference prepares us for the postseason, even though we haven't been here (to the NCAAs) since my freshman year. Last night, going up against Minnesota, we felt confident and prepared for the opportunity because of the teams we play in the Big 12. And, we are following our scouting reports diligently. Coach G's system fits a lot of us because there's trapping, a faster pace of play and we can use our athleticism. That said, we have a lot of respect for what Connecticut is accomplishing this year and in years past.

On playing UConn in Bridgeport, Conn., about 90 minutes from UConn's campus: Well, Coach G has had success against UConn. We heard from the media in the press conference that Coach G and her Duke team beat Connecticut the last time she was here in Bridgeport -- so, that's good luck for us !

Our schedule prepared us because everyonje in our conference is athletic and quick -- and that's Connecticut. We're going to play good defense, be quick and athletic ourselves, and make hustle plays. That's been the mark of our team as of late, and if we do the things we normally do in wins, hopefully it can come out in our favor tomorrow night.

REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE POINT GUARD Carla Cortijo
On facing Connecticut in the second round: It's going to be a good game if we limit our mistakes and play hard for 40 minutes. The Big 12 is a really hard conference. We are used to playing against teams that are strong and competitive, and that's going to help us against Connecticut. I'm excited to play them. They are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and we are looking forward to going out there and giving it our best shot.

To play them we are going to try and adjust and try and protect the paint more because they have a good, big post player in (Tina) Charles. She is physical and we know what it's like to go against a good post because we play (against All-American) Courtney Paris (of Oklahoma). We've got to dig down and play Texas defense and get back in transition.

On Coach G and what she's told them about her success and experience in playing in the NCAAs at Bridgeport: She really didn't talk to us about any of that. She has told us to enjoy the NCAA experiences and how much fun it is to be in the Final Four -- like Texas was in 2003 before we got here. Everything she does is to motivate us to get there.

JUNIOR POST Ashley Lindsey
Some of the special team moments that the Longhorns are experiencing: Basically, we try and have a lot of fun with each other. Last night, I was so excited to beat Minnesota and win in the NCAA Tournament that I ran into the cheerleaders and bumped them and grabbed their pom-poms after we sang "The Eyes of Texas." That's how I like to be -- goofy and spontaneous. Right now, we've spent so much time with each other these last six months that we are just keeping it light. For instance, Kat (Nash) seems really quiet, but she does a funny little thing with her lips, and we are all trying to learn how to do it and imitate her whenever we can.

Also, when we went out to eat the other night before our game wit Minnesota, we all sat around and made up a song about our team managers that was pretty fun! It's a flow, and it has a beat that we can sorta dance to! We all came together to write and perform the song, and just make fun of the managers, our student athletic trainer, and our strength coach Logan (Schwartz). That's how we've been spending our free time -- making fun of each other and teasing. It's our team bonding and that's what we're all about -- trying to be a stronger team. And, we've been around each other so long this season that we're getting really closer as a team, and that closenss is helping us on and off the floor.

REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE GUARD Crystal Boyd
On being intimidated in facing No. 1 seed UConn in the state of Connecticut: First, they are a really good team and they deserve their rankings. We have played a lot of top 10 and top 25 teams this year, so it won't be our first time going against one of the best teams out there. We've won against top 10 teams at home and on the road, and that gives us confidence. We beat Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, then DePaul as a top-ranked opponent as well. We know who UConn is and we know who we are, and we are just ready to get on the floor and play.