NCAA Tournament: Kellie Harper previews Tennessee-Toledo game
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Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. EDT. ESPN2 will televise the second-round matchup.
Ahead of Monday’s contest, Lady Vols’ head coach Kellie Harper met with media.
“I think we’re playing a team that could have easily had a different number in front of their name, a lower number,” Harper said. “This is a really talented basketball team, an experienced team who’s rolling. They’re playing some really good basketball. They’re confident. They have big wins on the season, and they’ve done what they needed to do in their league, so a very talented team. They’re disciplined, they’re tough. They obviously can spread you out with the three-point shooters, got some folks that can score in the paint and that’s off the pass and the drive.
“They’re very talented and they’re a very smart, very intelligent basketball team on the defensive end. Where they might not be — might not have the size of some opponents, they’re able to make up for that with how they play, so we know this is a very good basketball team. We’re in for a big battle.”
PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years
Harper’s continued preview of the Tennessee-Toledo game is listed below.
How much, if at all, do you mention last year's NCAA second-round game?
“Yeah, this is probably one of those times we won’t talk about last year. Our team remembers it. We experienced a lot throughout the season, but I think at this point it’s just locking in on who we are now and what we need to do. I think our players have kept their eyes on the NCAA Tournament, both men’s and women’s. They see upsets and the challenges. They know that if you get to that point you’re playing somebody good. It doesn’t matter what the seed number is, you’re playing somebody good. If there are 32 teams left, I can guarantee you they’re 32 really good teams in the country.”
Talk about Kaiya Wynn's role and how special she's been as a culture piece as well
“Yes, Kaiya Wynn is one of those people in life that whatever she does she’s going to be successful. She has a big heart. She’s fun to be around, kind of the life-of-the-party kind of person. You know, in her career thus far, she hasn’t had big minutes, and I’m telling you, she’s had a great attitude, a great work ethic, despite that. I have a lot of respect for someone like that. I have a lot of respect for Kaiya. When she goes in the game, obviously she brings athleticism. She’s aggressive, she can get to the basket. I’ll tell you, I think every time we put her in there she’ll go get an offensive board, and that’s fun to see.”
As you were watching the Toledo-Iowa State game, just thoughts on Quinesha Lockett and what else you've seen of her on film preparing
“She’s that talented. Obviously, her speed stood out yesterday. What makes her effective, she can shoot and put the ball on the floor. You can’t back off her and get up on her tight. She’s very difficult to guard. I’m impressed with how hard she cuts, how hard she runs through her offense, their offense, and then how hard she plays. She’ll use that — some kids are fast. She’s fast and plays hard. So she’ll go get an offensive board, track down loose balls. She was really impressive yesterday, but I don’t think yesterday was an anomaly. That’s who she is. She’s that talented, obviously a handful for anybody that’s guarding her.”
On Toledo's confidence entering the second-round with a 17-game win-streak
“Yeah, when teams are playing with momentum, that’s a big deal in March. You see it right now on both sides of the men’s and women’s brackets. I mean, you get on a roll and you can keep going. You can look historically and see teams that have done that, so they’re one of those teams. They feel good about what they’re doing and honestly, they should. They’ve been that good. I think the other thing that — you know, when I look at it, they had some tight wins late, and they it figured out. To me, that’s also a big confidence booster down the stretch. They get in those close games, they have experience pulling those out.”
How have you seen this team grow emotionally?
“I think we have grown with our maturity on the court. I think our team has stayed pretty even-keeled the last couple months. Big wins, tough losses. I think they’ve stayed pretty even. I think that’s a testament to that maturity. I think the experiences they’ve had all year havw really helped them grow. You know, I think just battle through adversity, any kind of adversity you have. I don’t know if it changes you or challenges you. Maybe both at times. I think that’s happened to us. I think our players have — I think they have found a way to play through tough times. I think a lot of that is with their emotion, as well.”
