Texas Tech University Athletics
Coach and Player Quotes About Second Round Game
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
March 14, 1999
· Coach Marsha Sharp Audio
· Coach Kay Yow Audio
LUBBOCK, Texas -
N.C. State Coach Kay Yow
"We are looking forward to tomorrow's game versus Texas Tech. They have tremendous crowd that supports women's basketball. It's exciting to see support here. It's a tough challenge tomorrow night. Texas Tech has real balance. Good shooting - inside and outside. Their players are very athletic and smart. It will take our best game to have a chance. We have to be prepared to play our best game of the year."
Post matchup between Erb and Braziel: "I think they are two excellent players - two different styles of play. Angie is capable of multiple things - a turn-around shot, more of a finesse player. She makes a lot of shots facing the basketball. Summer provides more power; she's a true low-post block player. In one situation, one advantage in another, the other does. They will not try to play the other's game. The game doesn't stop there. We have other players out there to determine the outcome."
"Texas Tech runs the floor extremely well, similar to teams like North Carolina and Virginia we have played. We know that we have to do a good job in transition in defense. It is a part we are tuned into; if we don't, we could lose the game in that area."
"Angie has a great shooting touch. She has a soft shot and great hands. She can face the basket and score. She can step out and make the basket. She has great range and confidence. That is her strength."
"Our starting point guard had two stress fractures and missed six weeks and we didn't have time to get a point guard ready. We have had some tough competition. We lost some close games and hit rock bottom. When our starting point guard came back, we won 13 out of 18 games. We have a good team. We were nervous about making the tournament. We're playing our best ball. We have progressed and played better. We love the tournament."
NC State Post Summer Erb:
On facing Angie Braziel who she played with over the summer: "I think it will help. She's a great player. We have opposite styles of play. She's more finesse - I'm more physical. It'll be a good matchup."
"I think it is critical that we all play well. Tech is very balanced; our guards will have to play well offensively as well as on the defense. Angie has a great turn around jumper - tough to defend - we need to do the best we can."
"I'm a banger. That's a big part of my game - where I'm most comfortable. The more physical I get, the better I do."
Texas Tech Head Coach Marsha Sharp
Opening Remarks: "We're pleased to be playing tomorrow night. As a lot of coaches say, you try to survive and play in the next round. N.C State played well last night. They present some match up problems, especially with Summer Erb. She is a big physical player. We will have to stop her from catching the ball down low. As with most great teams, we can't entirely focus on her. We have to defend the entire court especially Lewis on the perimeter. We need to keep her out of their offense. We're excited to be playing and hope to see a great crowd at the game."
On Braziel vs. Erb matchup: " I think it is something that has captured national attention. It is exciting to see two of the better post players going against each other; but that shouldn't be the entire focus. If you get caught up in it, there are other players that can hurt you. Bates scores well on post and Lewis on perimeter. N.C. State has many weapons; we will have to guard more than Erb to win."
On facing an N.C. State team that went to the Final Four last year: "There's no question they know how to play well in the tournament. They have a lot of players returning from last year's team. They will be looking to get back to the Final Four this year."
On playing against N.C. State's slow tempo game: "It is something we will have to control to win the game. We will need the game to be up tempo to win. One of the strengths of our team is the ability of our posts to run. If it becomes a half-court game, they (NC State) may have the advantage."
On N.C. State's defensive strategies: "We will be ready for their zone and their man defense. They often use both. I would be surprised if they opened in zone. I would think they would use man and see how Erb handled Braziel in the post."
On how Texas Tech is different this year: "Two things last year changed our preparation for this year - Iowa State's offense and Ruth Riley. We put in man to man defense and became more balanced on offense- getting more looks for our guards. We are better equipped than year ago to handle different looks. We were pleased with results and feel that it was a big factor in our success this season and winning the Big 12."
On the emergence of Julie Lake: "Lake has been a solid player that has played many minutes for us in her career. In the last three to four weeks, she has really stepped up. Julie is getting more looks because of Hanebutt and Braziel. She is playing with more confidence than every before. Julie is now our third person to go to which make defenses pick and choose who they have to cover."
Texas Tech Post Angie Braziel:
On team's recent success: "We are working well together as team right now. Every position has stepped. Things have fallen into place. Rebounding is a big factor in how we approach game. We try to limit shots and second chance points they get."
On matchup versus Summer Erb: "When I played her, I think it is going to be more important to get in a position to make shots. Summer is a really good player on offense and defense. We will have to get her out of her game. She takes out a lot of space and is a big part of what they do."
Texas Tech Guard Julie Lake
On building on last night's performance: "We have to come out with same focus as we had against Stephen F. Austin. We have to be mentally prepared like we have for other big games."
On late success: "I realized that I needed to step up . It is a critical time for our team. Defenses have keyed on Angie and Rene which has opened up shots for me."
On Tech's uptempo offense: "It is a big key for our team. We need to use quickness to our advantage. A big key will be how well we can get out and run against them."
