NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - MONTANA STATE VS STANFORD

March 17, 2022

Tricia Binford

Kona Bad Bear

Darian White

Montana State Bobcats

Media Conference

Q. Just tell us about the experience so far. It's something different, I imagine, than you've experienced in your college career, but does getting here, swag bags, things like that, what's it been like for student-athletes at the NCAA Tournament?

DARIAN WHITE: Well, it's both of our first time making it to the tournament, so it's been really exciting. It's a dream come true to finish off the way we did in our conference. Just traveling here was amazing, just being around all of our teammates, coaches, our support, our band, some of our dancers are here, as well, so it's been really nice. It's been so much fun. A dream come true for sure.

KOLA BAD BEAR: Going off what she said, it's just a surreal feeling, and I so cannot believe. You know, this is awesome and everything you dream of. Just the fact that we're living it, it's cool.

Q. I'm wondering for the two of you, when did it hit you? Was it Selection Sunday? Was it on the court in Boise? Was it landing here? When did it hit the two of you, we're here?

DARIAN WHITE: I would say for me probably Selection Sunday because we were sitting there with all of our fans behind us and the anticipation was working up a little bit, just waiting for our team to be called.

But just seeing all the teams getting called and seeing whether we were in, it was such a good feeling. It was unreal.

KOLA BAD BEAR: Yeah, mine was for sure walking down the steps off the charter. But yeah.

Q. You're facing the defending champs but also a program that spoke up a year ago at the NCAA Tournament and said the women deserve to be treated the same way and brought to light some things that have led to the banner behind you saying March Madness. What does that mean to you, and have you seen some things already that show signs of progress and equity as you take this next step?

DARIAN WHITE: Obviously we weren't here last year to experience it ourselves, but we were seeing some of the things going on social media, and personally I thought it was very brave of them to speak up and say some of the things that were on their mind that they thought were unfair, which we completely agree, of course. But just because we weren't here last year, I haven't really been able honestly to give you any specific like changes, but it's been really cool to be here obviously and have like the actual March Madness logo behind us. I'm just really grateful that they were able to speak up so we're able to have the experience that we have right now.

KOLA BAD BEAR: Just to tag off that, it's really inspiring to see them find their voice and do that, too, as well.

And like she said, it's both our first times here, and I think just being grateful for this opportunity.

Q. I know you guys have talked a lot about the 2020 team and those five seniors who didn't really get to end the season on their own terms. How much have those players been on your minds and what do they mean to you as you've gone through this postseason run and getting to the big dance again?

DARIAN WHITE: I know both of us, we still talk to some of the players from that team. Like I said before, it was a very tough, heartbreaking year to not be able to finish out the season the way we wanted, especially knowing how talented we were.

So just having them to still be able to talk to, they -- I mean Fallyn Freije still gives me confidence to this day. It is just amazing to be able to have her still right next to us supporting us just as if she is still on this team and a part of this team. Yeah, they've had a really big impact on our careers here.

KOLA BAD BEAR: Yeah, and like she said, Fallyn Freije gives her confidence and she still texts me a lot before every game and just after every game.

And just heading off that, we'll get texts from Madeline and we get to see Martha at the tournament, and I really enjoyed that, getting to catch up with her and just seeing what she's doing.

Just hearing about her last experience playing back in 2020 like it was yesterday just gave me goosebumps to know, wow, that was just two years ago and how fast time can actually go.

Q. Wondering what you've seen from Stanford so far both from a scouting perspective and just from I imagine watching them throughout the year. They've been on national TV a couple times. What stands out to you about them and what do you think are the biggest challenges they pose in tomorrow night's game?

DARIAN WHITE: Just their ability to execute everything. I think that they have -- their actions down to like a science. They are very -- I don't want to say predictable in a bad way, but they're very consistent in what they do. They don't have a lot of mistakes on the board. Something that I think we're going to have a challenge with tomorrow is we need to make sure that we're on top of our rebounding, execute the things that we can do as best we possibly can, and just have confidence out there.

KOLA BAD BEAR: I thought she said it best.

Q. Darian, Tara VanDerveer pledged a couple hours ago to give $10 for every three-pointer made in the women's tournament to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. As a perimeter player, how much would you like to be a part of that and knock down some threes and help the cause?

DARIAN WHITE: I mean, that's amazing. That's all I can really say about that. It's awesome the fact that somebody is willing to do that.

I would love to, but I also want to create opportunities for the best three-point shooters that we have on our team right here, one right here, too.

So yeah, I'm really excited for that, and I'm hoping to contribute to that as much as I possibly can.

Q. Kola, two 20-point games in March already, and Darian, Big Sky co-defensive Player of the Year, so could you maybe describe each other's game one at a time and what you're looking for? What makes your teammate so special and what do you need out of each other against Stanford tomorrow?

KOLA BAD BEAR: Yeah, like you said, she just got the honor of being co-defensive Player of the Year, and she creates everything defensively, offensively, and I think having her as my point guard just also opens up for me. I wouldn't have had those 20-point game if it weren't for her or my teammates, as well. I mean, she does a lot across the board if you look at her stats. But I think for tomorrow, just needing her to bring the confidence and that swagger that she always has will help each and every one of us. And you've got to believe in yourself, too.

DARIAN WHITE: I would say for Kola, she brings a like swagger in us that we all need. I love when she gets like an and-one or she finishes through contact and she shows a little bit of emotion, and it just gets us all going. She has an intensity and she has a lot of urgency, and she brings a lot of communication and stability through her team. I think that's definitely something that we count on. She brings consistency, and it's very fun to play with Kola, so I'm excited to see the things that she's going to do tomorrow.

Q. We talked about the players that have reached out to you both. I'm wondering just how amazed you've been with the fan support and how many people have reached out to you as far as since you guys won the Big Sky and made it to the tournament. Has it been pretty wild to have your phone blowing up the way it has?

KOLA BAD BEAR: Yeah, I can't even give you an exact number. There's just so many supporters and fans. It's just a nice reminder knowing how much support you actually do have. It gives you another reason to do good and perform well and get that chip on your shoulder to do it for everyone back home.

DARIAN WHITE: Yeah, just along with what she was saying, I didn't realize how many supporters that we have that aren't even able to make it to some of our games but are just watching through social media. I had a lot of DMs through Twitter, Instagram, people messaging me saying how proud we are, not just of me but our teammates and coaching staff. It's a really good reminder just as Kola was saying, and it's an amazing feeling to have all those people support us.

Q. I know tomorrow involves another basketball game with the men playing earlier in the day. How much are you looking forward to that, being able to watch that and then playing your own NCAA Tournament game?

DARIAN WHITE: It's very exciting. Obviously this has never happened in history before, so seeing them and how successful they've been, it's truly inspiring to watch. They are so incredibly talented, and I think they can make it really far in this tournament. Like I said before, it's inspiring, and it gives me hope and motivation and confidence to do well.

KOLA BAD BEAR: Yeah, like she said, it's really exciting, and I think it will just be fun to see how they do against other top players, as well.

I like watching other post players, and so I'm excited to see what Jabril and what their posts do on the team.

Q. Just wondering for you, when did it hit you that the team had arrived and you guys had officially made it this far, and what's the experience been like for you since you got here to Northern California?

TRICIA BINFORD: A couple of different times. Obviously the last five seconds of the clock at the tournament, a couple different emotions going through your head thinking about that 2020 class that they were talking about and then obviously just how far this group has come, particularly that week of the tournament, just really coming into their own. Then obviously seeing your name on the screen on Selection Sunday, pretty incredible feeling. The only thing that to me when they were saying all these people texted them is I thought I was important until Rachelle Gardner had way more texts after that game than I did. So that's our director of ops, and just really, really excited for the players to have this experience. We're soaking it all up and obviously we want to be locked in to give them a great game.

Q. What are some of the differences that you've noticed from the 2017 tournament, whether it's the backdrop behind you, the setup and the logistics so far? Have there been any differences that have stood out to you between the tournament five years ago and this year so far?

TRICIA BINFORD: Well, we obviously haven't experienced all of it yet. I think there was some gear in the locker room that the kids just saw the box, so that's exciting.

The Under Armour gear. Under Armour has just done some really special things for the team for making the tournament. Obviously you see the logos, and I think my daughter has her own, so that's pretty cool. Most importantly, we want them to know they've done something really special that not everybody gets an opportunity to do, and we want to represent Montana State and Bozeman as best we can, and the Big Sky.

Q. Did you take a peek at any of that gear or the swag?

TRICIA BINFORD: Yeah, I think there were some hats, but we did not open the box completely yet. So we obviously had to get out here really quickly, but we saw a big box and there were some snacks and -- you're talking about kids from Bozeman, Montana, and they are as excited about getting In-n-Out Burger down the street. Every single thing has been really amazing, and this team just has a blast together. So we're just super grateful. Obviously all the people that are taking care of us, we're super thankful for that. The charter was amazing. The people that we get to experience that with. We're a tight knit group, so we're going to be as loud as we can in our section tomorrow, too.

Q. They know how to host here. They do a nice job.

TRICIA BINFORD: They sure do, yes.

Q. Do you appreciate what Stanford's role was last year? Certainly they won the championship, but the role in equity and bringing to light some concerns and issues that have made maybe this a better tournament for your young women?

TRICIA BINFORD: Well, I think that starts with leadership, and Tara is one of the best leaders for women's basketball there is. I think of all the trail blazers that I've come across. My head coach in college was June Daugherty, who worked on Tara's staff. We have trailblazers at Montana State with Ellen Kreighbaum, Ginny Hunt, so I am surrounded by trail blazers all the time. The work is never finished. Leadership is kind of empowering others as leaders, and I thought our kids said it the best when just having the courage and being brave, of speaking up. I think that starts from the top down, and Tara is creating and empowering strong future leaders, and that's what we're trying to do at Montana State, as well.

Q. Had you heard yet about her commitment?

TRICIA BINFORD: I did see that, and we will definitely donate to the cause as best we can. I think it's really important, and also we had a little history on the way over with Ambassador McFaul, who is a graduate from Boise High, so there's some connections there, as well. And yeah, this can definitely be bigger than basketball.

Q. A couple hours ago Tara VanDerveer was up here saying good things about the Montana State program. As a competitor, how much do you like just the opportunity to test yourselves against the defending champ, some of the best programs in the nation, and someone like Tara?

TRICIA BINFORD: Well, I know we're going to get better tomorrow no matter what. I think when you're talking about your program taking your next steps, you want to play against the best, and Stanford is the best. They have proven themselves through the conference. I know the challenge that we have ahead of us, but at the same time, our kids are very excited about this opportunity and we are going to be challenging every facet.

They're a well-oiled machine, and we have great respect. We respect obviously the program on both ends of the floor. This is not just an offensive or a defensive team, it's both.

Q. What have you seen from Stanford? What stands out to you on tape? And what are the things that are kind of keeping you up at night when you've watched back through some of their games this year?

TRICIA BINFORD: Well, there's championship talent and there's championship teams, and I think this team plays like a championship team. I think they have a lot of pieces and they just don't rely on one player to do that.

I think there's a lot of trust on their team. Like I said, I think they're very efficient. Darian mentioned to that, attested to that. I think very efficient offensively. It's going to go through a lot of different people. So you've got your inside game, you've got your shooters, you've got people setting up, you have bigs that can bring it up in transition, versatile players. Our conference is familiar with versatile players, so even if 1 through 4 is bringing it in transition, that's something we're accustomed to. But at the same time, there's going to be some match-ups that we know we're going to have to do a great job of protecting each other, but then on the defensive end they're very, very strong. I've seen some quarters in the Pac-12 where teams are putting up 24 points in the first quarter, so it's not just a team that you have to get multiple stops, but it's a team we're going to have to put some points on the board, as well. Both ends of the floor are going to be important, and like I said, we're just going to have to come out and try to be best at our identity and attacking through that.

Q. We chatted about the 2020 team and those players who didn't get a chance to finish their season the way you wanted with your players. Could you elaborate a little bit on what those players meant to you and how much of a role they've played in this year's team?

TRICIA BINFORD: Yeah, I mean, if you go through the entire senior class, Fallyn Freije came to us for one year for that opportunity, and we had a historic season and we got to that championship game when we found out that we weren't going to finish the tournament, and so there's the what-if. We just never had that opportunity. In the Big Sky conference you're one big league, and with that automatic berth, your preseason schedule, your strength of schedule, you're trying to get that strong seed. We thought we had a chance to get a decent seed if we were able to finish with that championship game. And, you know, we have one of those players that's on our staff currently who we had in a brace where we talked about her getting the ring. Texted the other seniors. They mentioned Oliana, Madeline Smith. We texted all that crew and just wanted to honor them as well because those are -- it's hard. It's hard to go through that run, win three days in a row or three days to advance. Those things, a lot of things have to happen and go right, but they're a big part of us.

Q. What are your thoughts on facing Tara VanDerveer for the first time as a head coach?

TRICIA BINFORD: I told the kids in film, You're the underdog and I'm also the underdog. We're all the underdog here. But what a great opportunity. So much respect for who she is, what she's done as a mentor and the talented team she's coached. We're excited about the opportunity, but at the same time, we want to give them a great game. We want to come in, and like I said, play to our strengths and really get settled in. It's going to not only be going up against Tara, whose resume speaks for itself, her team, but also this atmosphere on their home floor.

Q. 24 years ago this week you were getting ready for the WNBA Draft, but Harvard came into town in a similar spot as you, 16 seed against 1 seed Stanford, and they pulled off the only 16-to-1 upset on the women's side of the tournament. Is that something that you've gone back and watched this week? Do you remember it when it happened? And is that something you think about showing your players at all to say, hey, this has happened before?

TRICIA BINFORD: Well, it was definitely something that got sent to me immediately after we saw the seed on the selection show, so it's aware -- in social media it's everywhere, right, so our players have seen that. We're just going to go in with our best and we're going to start with the first quarter. That's all we're focusing on right now, is making sure that first quarter we make them work for every shot that they get and those points that are put on the board. We're going to have our hands full, and then we're going to address the second quarter. So we'll start with that first 10 minutes.

Q. Tara was asked earlier about her relationship with Joslyn Tinkle, assistant on the Montana Grizzles' side, and she said she didn't feel comfortable asking Jos to give a scouting report against a conference team. Did you ask for a scouting report from Joslyn or any of the Tinkle family on what to expect in Tara and Stanford?

TRICIA BINFORD: I did not, but I did text back and forth with Joslyn saying I know that we've got a big game ahead of us. But Mike Daugherty might have. That's all I'll give. Mike Daugherty used to coach in the Pac-12, and Sunny Smallwood has a lot of experience in the Pac-12, so with great respect, no, I did not ask her for a scouting report, either. I feel like Stanford is on every television station, so getting a scouting report is best coming from my daughter, because we've been watching them for years. We were watching film, and she's like, Mom, you'd better make sure you box out Haley Jones. I'm like, Yeah, I know that, honey. She's right on it. If you want to know a true scouting report, just ask Brooklyn Binford. She's got them all down to a tee. Been watching them for years. Very fun team to watch.