NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - DELAWARE VS MARYLAND

March 17, 2022

Katie Benzan

Chloe Bibby

Diamond Miller

Maryland Terrapins

Media Conference

Q. Chloe, I want to start with you. What do you think is the biggest thing that you guys took from last year's experience and the early parts of this season, because it was all about playing those tough games, getting ready for March, and here we are. So I'm curious, what do you hope the biggest thing you took from those experiences are?

CHLOE BIBBY: I think we were a young team then. It was just a lot of learning, all of it. Playing in the NCAA for the first time for a lot of those girls last year, and then we had a tough nonconference schedule this year, and then, obviously, the BIG TEN it really competitive. So all of those factors just kind of coming together and just really allowing us to learn and grow as a team and individually. And I think all those aspects with the adversity and everything we've gone through this year has made us grow and come together, as I said, more, and it's prepared us for this moment and for March.

Q. For Chloe and Katie, how does it feel to you guys to get one, maybe two more games at Xfinity, getting to come back and play in front of this crowd?

CHLOE BIBBY: Really excited. I think we've put in the work all year to be able to have these home games and to host. So just really excited to be able to play in front of the fans in Xfinity again.

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah, Chloe, I agree with what she just said. But we're lucky enough to have these potentially two home games and to play in front of Terp Nation. We're lucky to have that following, so we're just excited to show out for them.

Q. Katie and Diamond, Jasmine Dickey is one of the best offensive rebounders in the country. Is it going to be a change in strategy for her or do you guys just kind of have to box her out and will your way to keeping her off the glass?

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah, rebounding, we always say in practice, is a testament of effort. Dickey, as you said, her motor is incredible. So we just have to match her motor and just keep working. The harder-working team will win this game tomorrow. So we have to just make sure that's us.

DIAMOND MILLER: Yeah, to piggyback on what Katie said, we're just going to continue to work hard, do what we gotta do and just rebound and hustle. That's it. As long as we do what we gotta do, I think we'll be fine in the game.

Q. So for any of you three, obviously, you guys haven't played for a couple weeks. How rested do you guys feel and how nice is it that you're able to have such a break before coming into the NCAA tournament?

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah. We feel very rested. These last two weeks we used to rejuvenate our bodies, but also to get better. We've practiced hard to work on the little things, to just clean up a little bit, just to be as prepared as we can for March.

Q. Katie, I want to ask, these last couple of weeks I know you guys were kind of focusing on yourselves. You've got this delicate balance of you never force your shots, but at the same time, you know, when you're hitting your threes, that opens up a whole 'nother aspect to the offense, and people gotta cover you guys a little bit differently. So how do you kind of find or do you feel like you've found your groove in these last couple of weeks after obviously the Indiana game wasn't the best game. So I'm trying to -- how do you get back in your groove? Do you feel like you're back in your groove?

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah, just these past couple of weeks, been playing with my teammates. Ashley is getting back to herself. So I think just being able to have fun and get back to the joy of the game, I think that's really helped our rhythm as a team; and playing against such a great group of scout guys, they've really pushed us and helped us to get better.

Q. Katie, obviously there's so much to be made about you as a team first player, but now, yesterday, kind of your second straight year being honored by AP All America teams. How rewarding is that for you, knowing the work you've put in Harvard, obviously coming here your fifth year, the work behind the scenes, kind of getting to that point of being named All American for the second straight year? How rewarding is that for you?

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah, I feel blessed, and not just for my individual accolades, but just to have this opportunity to play, with such great coaches and to play with such great teammates. You know, like I texted a couple of my coaches yesterday and just saying like it's half their honor as it is mine, and it's a testament to my teammates as well. They helped me to succeed, as I hope to do the same for them.

Q. The first question is more about the game for tomorrow, but what have you guys seen out of Delaware now that you've had a chance to watch film and stuff?

DIAMOND MILLER: They play hard. They want to run the floor. They rebound and hustle. They're a really good team. I mean, they just won their conference, so we have to be prepared and play to the best of our abilities.

Q. And my other question is for anyone could answer. I know last year during the NCAA tournament there was a lot of gender inequality stuff. Have you guys already kind of seen differences, even before the event starts tomorrow?

CHLOE BIBBY: I'm waiting to see. I think they've done a good job. Now we have the 64. So it's a start. But we'll see as the tournament continues. But I think that all the NCAA women's have done a great job at highlighting the inequality. And hopefully that there is more done this year and we're able to see that.

Q. You all had an early post-season loss versus Indiana. How often were you all looking to get back on the court, get good practice habits before preparing to take on Delaware tomorrow?

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah. That disappointing loss really served as fuel for us to get back on the court. These two weeks have been hard, but we're just excited to have another game come up. And I think we all feel ready for it.

Q. What is going to be the key factor to playing Maryland basketball? And can you describe specifically what Maryland basketball is?

KATIE BENZAN: I think our identity has really come down to sharing the ball, playing as hard as we can and playing fast. You know, we like to get up and down the court and transition. As long as we play together and we play hard, things will fall our way.

Q. Behind you all is the hashtag March Madness. How do you feel about March Madness finally being applied to your tournament and how do you think it will project going into the future for women having March Madness as a term to the NCAA tournament?

DIAMOND MILLER: I think it's really cool. It's March, so why shouldn't be it called March Madness like it is? We're nothing different than the men's side. We're women; they're men. And it should be equal. So I think this is a good start.

Q. I'm just curious, what has stood out about Angel's progression this year? Obviously she's healthy, so that's a huge thing. But from your perspective, seeing her every day, what has allowed her to make the strides forward that she's been able to this year?

CHLOE BIBBY: I mean, I think she's put in the work from the beginning of the season. Obviously she went through the injuries last year. And ever since then she's just been hungry. So she's been in the gym. She's been working, and she brings it every day in practice. And just that energy that she brings, I think it elevates everyone, and obviously her game, too. So really proud of the season that she's had so far and what she's been able to do.

DIAMOND MILLER: Yeah, just to piggyback, I mean, she's working hard. She's doing what she has to do, and she's playing like a beast out there. And we need her every time she steps on the court to play to the best of her abilities, and that's what she's been doing for us.

Q. Katie, you seem to be a full general for your team during the tougher situations. How do you help your team get in and out of sets and make sure you run offense and keep the team composed in the midst of the NCAA tournament that's starting tomorrow?

KATIE BENZAN: Yeah, just trying to use my voice to keep them on track with our goals, whether it's one possession at a time, on defense, you know, getting that one stop, or on offense, executing, just making sure that our mindsets are on one possession at a time and not necessarily getting swarmed up in the big energy or moment. You know, just keeping us grounded, I think that really helps us succeed one possession at a time and moving forward that way.

Q. Obviously, all of you guys have played in the NCAA tournament before. The one player that hasn't is Shyanne Sellers is a freshman. What have you seen from her development, not only on the court, but just her composure off of it that shows that she's ready for this moment?

DIAMOND MILLER: Yeah. Shyanne has grown so much this year. She got Sixth Man of the Year, and she's playing defense now, which is really good, and she's making better decisions on offense as well. She's just a great motor coming off, playing big minutes that we need her to do. And she just is there, which is really good.