SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 4, 2022

Kristy Curry

Megan Abrams

Bridgestone Arena

Alabama Crimson Tide

Postgame Press Conference

Tennessee 74, Alabama 59

Q. Megan, it's always tough to see a team for the third time. What was the difference in Tennessee this game versus when you all last played them just a couple weeks ago in Tuscaloosa?

MEGAN ABRAMS: Yeah. I think it's how they started the game. They kind of got a lead to begin the game. And they came out and played a little bit harder than us the first five minutes. So I think that kind of set the tone and we kind of dug ourselves in a hole. That kind of carried over the course of the game.

So I really think it was the first five minutes of the game.

Q. Hey, Meg. What has it meant for you playing at Alabama these past four years? What does the team mean to you? What does Coach Curry mean to you? How special has it been?

MEGAN ABRAMS: Oh, man. (Crying) I'm sorry.

KRISTY CURRY: As you can see, she's a pretty special young lady. She started her masters. She just finished in finance. I don't think she's hardly made a B. What she's done in our community and how she's given back, and I think she's got a lot of basketball to be played.

So I'm really proud of who she is and everything she represents, and her passion. And the legacy that she's going to leave at Alabama.

MEGAN ABRAMS: It's been unbelievable. There's no other coach I'd want to play for. The confidence she instilled in me since I set foot on campus has been amazing, and she's helped me become the player and the woman that I am today.

So like I said I appreciate Coach Curry and the staff and everything that they do for me, and there's no place in the country -- there's no other place I'd rather be.

Q. Megan, you mentioned Tennessee's fast start, and I know you're not one to make any excuses but this was your third game in three days. That is a lot. That is heavy toll on a player. Do you think the playing three in three days kind of got to you a little bit tonight?

MEGAN ABRAMS: I mean, I think you can say that. I think being a college athlete, I think that's where your mental toughness has to kick in a little bit. It is a hard thing to do, playing three games in three days. But I still think that that's no excuse to come out and play hard and give total effort. So I think that's something that we just have to get back to.

THE MODERATOR: Questions for coach Curry.

Q. Coach, we have to ask about the technicals. I think the first one you were very upset. The second one it almost was like you were ready to get that second one. Was that done to fire up your team or just can you explain the technicals and what went on behind them?

KRISTY CURRY: You know, I'm not going to apologize for the passion. I appreciate the question, but if I talk about officiating, I'll be held accountable.

I just want the focus to be on the fact that our kids have won five out of the last seven. They have fought. They have battled. They've done everything we've asked them to do, we have two top 25 wins, we've won 17 games and had two games canceled due to COVID. We had three starters missing in January. Meg's battled through injuries. We've got eight conference wins and we still got basketball to be played.

So I just want to turn the focus to how proud I am of our kids in that locker room and all the new faces and all the adversity we overcame this year. Again, we'll wait and see what happens, but we'll continue to play some basketball. We'll go home tomorrow and get better. I'm going to jump in the car and go watch a 2024.

Again, I think you can always be the most passionate and the hardest worker in the room, and I will fight for those kids.

Q. Brittany Davis obviously had a little bit of an off-night but before this scored 73 points in 3 games. What does it mean to see her develop and have those games?

KRISTY CURRY: She has owned her development. Her story is incredible. She's got a lot of basketball left to be played. She had a tough night. You know, I thought Maria had a great question for Meg. You know, tired is not an excuse. That's only a state of mind. But certainly we looked a little off at times from a shooting perspective. But really proud of Brittany and proud and excited to continue to help her grow and develop.

Q. Can you just talk about how hard Allie has been playing these last few games?

KRISTY CURRY: Yeah. With Khyla Wade-Warren who played 20 minutes in the previous game against Tennessee, you know, being out, we're hoping to have her back here upcoming in a few weeks. Allie Craig just stepped up. She did what a senior should do. Just proud of her fight and her grit and her toughness and thought she really, really stepped up for us here the past couple days.

Q. Coach, this league has just been brutal all season. Obviously, Friday games can get sometimes, you know, out of hand. But you saw -- you probably saw what Kentucky did to Number 2 seed LSU today. How many Tennessee teams -- I mean, how many SEC teams do you believe deserve a bid to the NCAA tournament?

KRISTY CURRY: To me, it's the most -- it's the deepest that I can remember from top to bottom. And on any given night anybody can beat anybody. And I just hope -- I know every team in the league is top 100 in the net. And I just hope our league is rewarded. We feel like we're worthy of consideration. And it's going to be special to watch the SEC in the NCAA tournament. We hope we're a part of it.

Q. What's the plan for the next week as you wait to see what comes next?

KRISTY CURRY: It's like I told our kids, we'll go home and we'll get rested and we'll get better. We'll be better for today. We'll get better tomorrow. And that's what we do. We're just excited for the opportunity and what March holds for us.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Coach. That's all we have.

KRISTY CURRY: Thank you guys for being here. Roll Tide.