Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper took questions from the media on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament being held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
No. 18/15 UT, the No. 3 seed, will open tourney play on Friday at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 CT) against the winner of Thursday’s contest between sixth-seeded Georgia and either No. 11 seed Alabama or No. 14 seed Auburn.
Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper
Opening Statement…
“Good to see you guys. We are all geared up and ready to head to Nashville for the SEC Tournament. Obviously, this is an exciting time of the season. Every team in the country goes into the postseason with renewed energy, a record of 0-0 and looking forward to the prospects of having success in conference tournaments. So, we are too. We’re excited about taking our team over and look forward to the opportunity in front of us.”
On the challenge of scouting with unknown opponent…
“We maintain the same scouting rotations that we had during the season. So, whoever had Auburn, Alabama and Georgia will keep them, because they’re familiar with them. We will do… obviously, we will watch the game today. We’ll do a little legwork on both of those teams as well as Georgia, and then have some prep going into the tournament. Thursday night, we’ll actually take the team over and watch at least part of the game live so we can see the atmosphere, see the venue, get a feel for what it looks like, what it feels like, and obviously, do a little scouting while we’re there.”
On Jordan Horston being honored with All-SEC First Team…
“I think Jordan deserved to be on the first team. I know sometimes injuries keep kids off of those lists, and I understand that. She played the majority of the season, and she played really well. Obviously, statistically, (she) stuffed the stat sheets throughout the season. She was a dominant performer. So, I’m really proud of her, and I think it’s well deserved.”
On how the team is using LSU game going into tournament…
“We talked about a lot of coaches go 0-0. That’s fine – new, clean slate. However, we said that everything we’ve done up to this point has built us. It’s prepared us. We had a lot of good. We had some hurdles we had to get through. Those opportunities hopefully made us a better basketball team going into a tournament play. So, we actually kind of embrace the journey and how it got us here. I think they’re motivated. I really do. I know they were disappointed with how the last game ended for us, in not necessarily just the last 30 seconds, but just the game in general. I think we’ll go over… they’re very motivated, ready to compete. In tournament play, you’ve got to have those things. You have to have a little bit more. You have to have the execution piece as well. I think they’re going to be motivated.”
On Tamari Key not being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year…
“When I look at Tamari, I see someone who alters game plans. I think that’s a pretty big statement. She changes the complexion of the game on the defensive end. She’s leading the nation in blocks. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but I think I think she’s pretty, pretty deserving of about every defensive accolade you could give her.”
On preparing the younger players for postseason play…
“Well, we do some things to try to keep things consistent. We try to have our routine look the same that it looked all season long so there’s the comfort and familiarity. Obviously, taking the team over the night before to let them see the venue, watch the game, get a feel, and hopefully, that will help. And then do our best just to stay focused on the task at hand. And, you know, one of the things that we’ve talked about was enjoying every single moment and enjoying the bus ride over, enjoying the team meals together, enjoying being on the court together. So, you know, really taking it all in and staying in the moment, not really looking ahead to anything and you know, I’m hoping that will also help.”
On how your team will adjust to postseason tip times…
“I’m going with it’s a Friday night, not a Thursday night, so I think we’re pretty good. I’m going to go with we are good on Fridays. Yeah, you know, we’re looking at our days obviously, just trying to find the balance between occupying their day, because Friday is going to be a long day. Thursday is a long day as well. So, we’re just trying to find the balance between rest and occupying their day and keeping them relaxed, but also focused. So, I think… you know, we had played in this time slot last year, so we have a little bit of experience to lean back on.”
On the opportunity to start the NCAA Tournament in Knoxville…
“I’d love to play in the tournament in Knoxville. I’d love it for a lot of reasons. One, being our fans would be here and be loud and be proud. You know, I think a good showing would obviously help that. You know that’s easier said than done when you’re playing the quality teams that you have to play in the SEC Tournament. I do think part of that ranking, we were rewarded for being in the SEC. This is a tough league. It’s the best league hands down this year. And, you know, there’s a lot of competitive games and I think that shows. I think that was reflected in that final rank deal. Obviously, it’s going to help our cause to continue to go out and perform and show well.”
On if she has any superstitions or routines in tournaments…
“Yeah, that’s a good one. Throughout the years Girl Scout cookies in the room was always one that I liked. So, I don’t know if they’re out yet, but if they are, I’ll probably try to find some in Nashville. You know, I just love the tournament. I enjoy it. I love the feel of staying up late and getting up early. Scrambling, you know, making sure your team is right. I love that. I love doing that with our staff… not the players – now, they can chill and have a good time – but with the staff. I love the hustle and bustle of the tournament, the competitiveness, and in figuring out what you’ve got to do to get your team ready. I’ve always enjoyed that. You know, I’ll probably do a lot of things the same that I’ve done for nearly 20 years. Talk about packing, I’m going upstairs here in a bit to pack up my bag, and that’s going to have all my scouting folders, and I’ll put the practice plans and just a lot of things that I like to take with me just to have on hand, because you never know what you’re going to need.”
On what she likes most about her team right now heading into the SEC tournament…
“Well, I think they’re still hungry and they’ve had great attitudes. They’re still working hard, playing for each other. They feel good about what we can do. I think you know there’s going to be great competitiveness from this group when we step out on the court. And like I said, you have to have that. And you have to have a toughness about it. You go into tournament play, you’re not going to advance without toughness.”
On the Girl Scout cookies in the room and if she has a favorite…
“First off, I have the biggest sweet tooth ever, so I do not discriminate against any flavor of Girl Scout cookies. I think it all started years and years ago when someone brought us some to the tournament. And then, I felt like every year I needed to have Girl Scout cookies at the tournament. They’re not in the players’ rooms. They’re just in my room. So, I’m going to be the one eating all the Girl Scout cookies. I like the peanut butter ones, Tagalongs. I like the Samoas, and I like the Thin Mints. Those would be my favorite three, but like I said, you can bring the others too, I’ll eat those.”
On if she is trying to get Tennessee fans to Nashville for the tournament since it may not be in Nashville for some time…
“Yeah, I think it’s a great opportunity for our fans to continue to watch this team, to support Tennessee. You know I’m super excited about going to Nashville, obviously. We can touch a lot of Tennessee fans from this venue. So, you know we talked to a lot of folks, we’re fully expecting a pretty, pretty solid orange contingency at the game on Friday night, and hopefully, we can take advantage of that.”
On reflecting on the NCAA tournament being canceled two years ago and how it’s made her more appreciative…
“Yeah, it does. You know, you’d never think that your postseason is going to be taken away, and obviously, we were able to play the tournament – the conference tournament – but not the NCAA Tournament that year. You know, we were very lucky to get it in to be honest with you, but it even towards the end, it started feeling a little worried on in the world. And then last year, you had so many protocols. So, this is actually to be going to be the closest to normal that we’ve had. And, you know, we’re looking forward to that. And, you know, you do (feel appreciative). The last two years and what’s going on, it just makes you appreciate the opportunity that we have to go out and play a game that we love on a huge stage with a lot of eyes on us and in the best league. So, we have to have to be excited about that as an opportunity.”
On if there is any chance of getting Jordan Horston back for the tournament…
“I’m not sure at this point. I’d like to say day-to-day, but it’s definitely week-to-week.”
-UT Athletics
