Syracuse vs. Louisville
January 5, 2007
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Nicole Michael, So., F
On her three pointer with the shot clock running down:
"In my head, I was saying we had to get this basket. We were up by seven and we needed the bucket. It was instinct, I just turned around, had nice form and it went in. With my intensity, I wanted to win. I feel like I am a good player and I have to make shots. That's what I did."
On redeeming last season's losses to Louisville:
"Last year, we had a rough season, obviously. This year, we have a team that wants to win and wants to play hard. Each player has a different role. Night in and night out, we are going to play hard as a team. Whoever wants it more as a team is going to get it, and we want it."
On a great win:
"It feels great to have a win against a good team. Our fans supported us. We played hard. It was up to which team wanted it more, and it was us."
Erica Morrow, Fr., G
On her reaction to Nicole Michaels clutch three:
"Like coach [Quentin Hillsman] said, 'players have to make plays'. The ball was on the floor and we were competing for it, [Nicole Michael] was open and she made it. I had all the confidence in the world that she was going to make the shot, and the next one, and the next one."
On her early struggles but being able to turn it around and play great:
"It's the BIG EAST. It is the best conference in America. Coming out, we were a little antsy in the beginning. Coach pulled me out early and talked to me, I got settled down. My teammates talked to me. They told me they were there for me. If I got trapped, they told me they would be there for me. So after that, I was more confident."
On the Louisville trap:
"We prepared for it, but it is hard to simulate game-time speed and intensity in practice. We just needed to settle down and once we were running our game plan, we executed."
Chandrea Jones, Jr., F
On shutting down the nations leading scorer, Angel McCoughtry
"I just stayed on her. I did not leave her sight. It did not matter if the ball was up for a shot or anything, I did not leave her sight."