Arizona head coach Becky Burke and her team had a big 84-69 win over Stanford to open the season led by 23 points and nine rebounds by Breanna Williams. Our recap is here.
Below is what Burke, Williams, Stanford head coach Kate Paye, and Stanford guard Shay Ijiwoye said after the contest at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
On Arizona’s defense
Burke: “It was our game plan going in was to be the aggressors. They’re gigantic. I mean, they were 6-2, 6-3 on the perimeter, 6-5 in the post. We knew we were undersized, so we had
to be like small dog mindset, feisty. We had to be the aggressors defensively, and that’s what we were. You know, on the backside, guarding the ball, we really dictated defensively, which is why they had 30 turnovers because we knew because of our size that could have been a positive for us to get up in them, get them uncomfortable, and not let them use their [size] to their advantage.”
Paye: “We knew this was their profile. We studied a lot of their film from last year. I think in the Big 12 they did exactly what you said. They forced a lot of turnovers and they fouled a lot. And we talked a lot about that with our team. We tried to practice it and prepare for it, but it’s very disruptive. I mean, they’re athletic, they’re quick. Honestly, they just fly around, and it creates a little bit of havoc out there. Again, I was proud of our team for stabilizing at halftime and coming out and doing a much better job in the second half. We had a lot of flow going, but that is their identity, and they really imposed their will today.”
On the play of Breanna Williams
Williams: “I think it’s about taking opportunities as it comes. You know, sometimes there’s going to be four shots or whatever. However I’m feeling. But I think when I’m coming in the game, I’m not thinking about scoring. I’m kind of thinking about that defensive mindset and going to get rebounds first and foremost, and then you know the offense kind of comes as secondary.”
Paye: “She looks extremely physical. I’ve watched her play since high school and seen her play in club. We’re very aware of her. She was a force inside.”
On Stanford regrouping in the third quarter
Burke: “They went zone in the second half. And this is a true story…We’ve practiced zone offense for like five or six minutes total, but I just had this weird feeling a few days ago. I was like, I’m gonna put some really quick, easy offense in for zone offense because I just feel like they might do it because I think we have a group of scorers and paint touchers this year. So they threw it in. That’s when they went on their run, and we literally were just coaching them on the fly. Hey, flash, step up, screen. I mean, it was the craziest thing ever. But when you have hoopers and we have talent, they can do that…They deserve all the credit in the world for just listening to me on the fly.”
Ijiwoye: “We knew that wasn’t the best half that we could have, and in the locker room between the team and then obviously the coaches, but especially coming from within, just talking about how important this game is to us in the start of the season. We know what we can do. I believe in every one of the 12 girls that are out there, and I know everyone has a really big role to play. So I think we can channel that earlier.”
