Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Basketball Press Conference Quotes
March 27, 2008 | Cowgirl Basketball
Head Coach Kurt Budke
On going to the Sweet 16
“This is obviously an exciting time for our program. This is the time of year that we, as coaches, root for everybody in the Big 12. We are very proud of the Big 12 and what they have done in this tournament, especially going 8-0 in the opening round, but it is also exciting to be one of the two teams left standing. We are very proud of the fact that we are in the Sweet 16. I think it is interesting that the two teams that played in the Big 12 Championship are the two teams still standing.
On facing LSU
“We understand where we are going. We understand who we are playing. LSU is unbelievable. This is a team that is one of four teams that, when this thing is over, have a legitimate shot at winning the national championship, so we are going to have to go down there and play as close to perfect as possible to beat these people.”
On LSU junior center Sylvia Fowles
“Sylvia Fowles is unbelievable. I don't think there is another player in the nation that you can really compare her to - what she is, and what she can do on the floor. First pick in the draft, second pick in the draft - no matter what pick she is going to be, she is going to go on to be an all-pro player for years.”
On the match up with LSU
“For our team to be successful against this team, we are going to have to go back to the formula of Andrea (Riley) having a great game, but also having three or four people in double figures. If that happens and we keep the turnovers down like we did the other night - we only had 12 turnovers against Florida State - we only have to beat them one time. This isn't a best-of-seven series, it is just one game. Our girls feel like we are playing our best basketball of the year, and we feel like we can go down there and get that done.”
On the turnaround from 0-16 two years ago to a Sweet 16 berth this year
“That is something that we, as a staff, may take a vacation and talk about. We'll sit down and laugh about it and enjoy it. It is exciting, don't get me wrong. That first year was tough, going into games knowing that you really had no chance of winning, just hoping that your girls played hard and didn't get beat by 40 points. That is a tough attitude for a coaching staff made up of people that have been winners their whole lives. That first group played hard for us, but they just weren't Big 12-caliber players. We have changed the attitude of this program and have brought in people who are absolute winners. They expect to win. We'll look back on (the two-year turnaround), it just won't be today.”
Sophomore Andrea Riley
On facing LSU
“I've watched them a lot on TV, and they play at a really fast pace. That is the kind of match up that we want to face. We really want to face one of the top teams in the nation and play them close to their home floor, because we have faced adversity this year and we have always handled it well. As long as we go out there with a confident attitude, knowing that we can play with any team in the nation, we will be fine.”
On facing LSU in Louisiana
“It is going to be a hostile environment, especially being in Louisiana. There are a lot of people out there that really cheer for that team. It is going to be really loud, but at the same time, there was a sold-out arena at Texas A&M, and at Baylor, and we handled ourselves very well. We just need to worry about ourselves and not worry about the fans.”
Junior Shaunte' Smith
On winning a hard-fought game over Florida State to advance to the Sweet 16
“The Big 12 is a tough conference. I think that it prepared us for the game against Florida State, because they are a tough ACC team. We just came prepared to battle. We have to give them credit, because they are a great team, but we came out on top because we wanted it more and had more heart.”
On the two-year turnaround of this program
“It is an amazing difference to be here now compared to where we were two years ago. It is a great feeling to be here with Taylor Hardeman (the other remaining player from the 0-16 season) and the coaches that were here back then. I just give credit to the coaches for sticking with me. To be here this fast is just amazing, and I'm just taking it all in, but when we play on Saturday it is just going to be another game. We have to take that attitude in with us and not come out with big heads. To be here this fast really is amazing, but I'm just taking it one day at a time.”
On sophomore point guard Andrea Riley
“She is the heart and soul of this team, and I look up to her more than she probably thinks I do. She sets the tone and leads this team. I really do look up to her. She is a great person and a great teammate.”
Senior Danielle Green
On facing LSU in Louisiana
“We have played well away from home all year long. We have a good road record. We aren't nervous about it. We know we will have some orange in the stands, and they are going to be cheering, so we'll be fine. It just comes down to the mental preparation.”
On being the underdog in the game vs. LSU
“We don't have any pressure on us. We just want to go out and play the game. We need to listen to the game plan. Our coaches always give us great game plans, and if we go out and execute, we will be fine.”
