March 16, 2007
NCAA Women's Basketball
Press Conference Quotes
Stanford University, March 16, 2007
Idaho State Bengals
Head Coach Jon Newlee
Opening Statement:
"It's been a great week since we won the Big Sky Tournament, a lot of excitement back home. I'm very excited for our team especially for all the people coming back; it's a great way to build for next year and a great way for our lone senior, Jeni Boesel to go out. She's really deserved it, she's worked so hard, everybody really has and I'm just really excited for Idaho State to be here being able to represent the Big Sky.
On playing in Maples Pavilion:
"We are going to have to keep our poise as it is going to be loud. I was here with SMU back in 1995 for an NCAA game as an assistant coach so I know how loud Maples Pavilion can be. I also came here when I was with St. Mary's, so I kind of know what the atmosphere is going to be like. We also were able to play in some tough places, we played in Missoula, Montana with 5000 people in the arena and it is extremely loud so I don't think it will be much different from playing in Missoula as far as noise level and the crowd being involved. We just try to take the experiences we have had in the past and we try to schedule tough teams on their home floor so we get the opportunity to play these quality teams because they don't want to go to Idaho, so we got to go play them. From the standpoint that's what we try to focus on, but we know they have a fantastic program, Tara is a legend in the game and the players are a bunch of All-Americans and their going to be ready to play.
On avoiding the mindset that this will be a one-and-done tournament:
"That is a lot of people's mindset, it certainly hasn't been our mindset. We come in and we want to play the game, we are in the tournament but we are not satisfied to just be here. We think we have a chance, we know it is tough to come and play Stanford on their home floor, but our mindset is we are trying to win the game, not just show up and be one and done. We have prepared for this game like we have done for any game this season; our preparation level has been the same.
On stopping Stanford:
"We definitely have to stop there inside game, they are big and they do a great job of finishing inside. I also believe that Candice Wiggins is the best guard in America, and we will not be able to totally shut her down, but are going to try to make things as difficult as we can for her. Candice is a great player and they are loaded at every spot. So our priority is to play good team defense and get as many stops as we can.
On playing on Stanford's home floor:
"I don't think any team should be able to play at home in the NCAA Tournament, I think the tournament should be opened up and played on totally neutral sites where everyone has that 50-50 shot, but that hasn't happened yet, and until that happens there will be teams like us playing on other teams home courts and we will just have to play our game.
Idaho State Guard Andrea Lightfoot
On going up against Candice Wiggins:
"I don't think it's intimidating, I think it's a great opportunity to go up against a great player and just go out and play and have fun.
On how to be successful against Stanford:
"We have to play with confidence and shoot like we've shot all year and just play our basketball.
On the Idaho State perimeter play
"Knowing that Stanford has a great inside game, we know we will have to establish it on the perimeter. We will have to be able to drive and hit the open player and play our game, up-tempo and do what we have been doing all year.
On how to stop Candice Wiggins:
"Obviously playing solid defense, you can't shut her down, just getting in her face and making her take tough shots and just make everything difficult for her offensively.
Idaho State Guard Jeni Boesel
On Stanford's success in Maples Pavilion:
"There a great team, they are always Top 10 in the nation, we know they have had a lot of success with great players and great coaches. We just have to go out and play our game and see what we can do.
On past regular season and postseason tournament experience:
"Playing in the WNIT last year we have definitely seen different kinds of competition and I think it will prepare us for tomorrow's game.
Idaho State Center Natalie Doma
On how to be successful against Stanford:
"It is important that we have good perimeter play and really move the ball around. It is important to have our inside-outside game working and just pretty much pass the ball and hit the open player.
On matching up with Stanford's post players:
"It's going to be tough but I have played against taller players before, so I am ready for it, play tough defense and make moves on them and play them tough defensively. It's just a great opportunity to play against taller players because I don't get that opportunity a lot, but I've done it before and I'm ready.
