Head Coach Carol Ross
Opening Statement
We're very happy to be in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Obviously Washington is a team that poses a lot of problems for us. We have a lot of respect for them. They were the regular season Pac-10 champions. They led the Pac-10 in rebounding, both offensively and defensively. They do a lot of really good things and they've had a great turnaround from last season. Every round gets tougher and Washington is certainly a team that certainly has our attention. I spent last night watching tape to find a way to beat them and it's more than a day's work but that's all we have to work with.
On her team's balance
Any team that hopes to survive in this tournament had better have balance. Because our guards are extremely talented and get a lot of publicity people look at those strengths and think the rest must be weaknesses but that's not the case and it never has been. Our guard play is strong - no question - but we feel like we're a pretty balanced club.
On Washington
Number one they find a way to win and that says a lot about their club. With 0.7 seconds to play last night most people are thinking about overtime and they found a way to get a good shot off and hit it. That says a lot about their toughness and their determination to win. Their number one, two, and three scorers are guards so they are a guard-oriented team. They were sixth in the nation in three-point shooting so they obviously get it done. They lead the Pac-10 in rebounding so they're also very solid inside. They get those second and third shot opportunities and keep you from getting those second and third shot opportunities. They play a tough zone defensively and if you're not decisive they force you to shoot too quickly. We'll try to impose our style of play and they'll try to do the same.
Tombi Bell, Senior
On the inside-outside balance the team showed against Holy Cross
Last night was a great example of out balance. Brandi (McCain) and I weren't able to score like we usually do and it was a perfect example of how our post players can step up. It's great to have five of us being able to put the ball in the basket. Not many teams have five strong defenders so when one group is off, hopefully another group is on and that was a perfect example of that last night. I'm just scared of what our team might be like when all five of us come to play at the same time. I'm looking forward to that day. It's a great asset to have five players who all can score.
On Florida's height disadvantage in the backcourt
We've had to battle against being shorter than a lot of players. We just use our quickness to our advantage. We're not really big, as you can see. That's all we can try to do is out-quick them and hopefully play a little smarter than they do.
Naomi Mobley, Junior
On playing Washington
I don't really know what they are thinking about. I just care about how we're feeling and what we're thinking about. As long as we have our mind set to go out there and play as hard as we can, I'll be happy with that.
Monique Cardenas, Junior
On being one game away from the Sweet 16
We're all taking it one game at a time. This second round game is our biggest game of the season. That first round win was great and now we have a second game. Hopefully we can just go out there and win and move on to the Sweet 16.
