NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - BUFFALO VS TENNESSEE

March 18, 2022

Kellie Harper

Jordan Walker

Tamari Key

Tennessee Lady Volunteers

Media Conference

KELLIE HARPER: Thank you. We're really excited that games are being played tomorrow. We have had some really good practices since the SEC tournament. We've had some good time off to rest and recover.

The players have had great attitude, great mindset. They practiced really hard and have given us a lot of effort.

We know this is an exciting time, but also know it's a challenging time. If you're in the NCAA tournament you're a team that has wins. You've either won your tournament or you proved throughout the year that you can win games at an elite level.

This is going to be a huge challenge for us on Saturday as Buffalo comes in, but we are really looking forward to it.

Q. You guys both can answer this. What's it like hosting the NCAA tournament first and second rounds for the first time since 2018?

TAMARI KEY: I think for me it's really exciting just considering freshman year we weren't able to participate in the tournament, and sophomore year it all being in one location.

So, in my junior year, being able to really experience what it's like as well as being able to host is really exciting.

JORDAN WALKER: Yeah, I will go off what TK said. It's just exciting, this being my second NCAA tournament, and seeing last year with the COVID how that was. And still it was a great experience.

Then this year, just being able to host and be at home and and have our home crowd is an amazing experience as well.

Q. For both of you, how has the adversity of this season, losing key players, helped you prepare for this NCAA tournament run?

TAMARI KEY: I think, for us, we've faced adversity all season and I think we've only proved to each other and to everybody else that we can push through.

We had a lot of people step up and we just fight and we're tough. I feel like that shows a lot of grit within our team.

JORDAN WALKER: Yes, definitely. And like TK said, we're tough. We're able to step up and pick each other up, and not only for ourselves, but for the girls next to us.

Every single night we go out there and fight for each other, and I think that's the best part about this team and it's just so genuine.

Like Coach Kellie said, the tough teams win in March, and I feel like that has prepared us for where we are right now.

Q. Questions for Jordan or Tamari. How would you describe this year's Tennessee basketball team to people in Buffalo who maybe haven't what watched your program before?

JORDAN WALKER: You're saying based off like Buffalo's team and fans coming in to play us?

Q. Yes.

TAMARI KEY: I think Tennessee ... the name Tennessee and the Lady Vols program speaks for itself. I feel like this season, going off what JoJo said, we work hard and we play for each other.

So, I feel like if we had to describe the team to them with just simple terms, we're tough and play for each other and we just bring a lot of effort.

JORDAN WALKER: Yeah, I would cap it. Not cap it at that, but TK really summarized it for us right there.

Q. Kellie told us after Kentucky she told you guys about the time her team lost in the semifinal and went on to win the championship. What was that like to hear from you guys from Kellie who had been exactly where you were, and how did you guys internalize that challenge?

JORDAN WALKER: Just to hear that from a coach who has been, like you said, where we were at and won a national championship, it's really encouraging because it's true.

Like we had almost two weeks to get ourselves together and get good better, and I feel like over these two weeks we got better every single day.

So just to see that, it's really encouraging.

Personally, the way I took is just trying to get better every single day, figuring out the little things I could do to help my team.

TAMARI KEY: I think it's special because a lot players don't have coaches that have won many national championships, and considering how many times in a row.

I think for us that's just big, knowing she's been there and she knows what it's like and what it needs to look like and the work that needs to go in behind the scenes to be able to achieve that.

Q. Tamari, what makes you such a good shot blocker?

TAMARI KEY: I think just being able to time (it). I've gotten asked this question before and I answered with, 'not fouling.' I think that keeps me in the game.

And being able to contest the shots even if I can't block it.

Q. Obviously with the regular season finale against LSU it wasn't a sure thing that you get to host the NCAA here. Is that something you talked about, how special the opportunity is, and maybe especially after that game to get to come back out here?

TAMARI KEY: Yeah, we definitely talked about it within our team, but we knew just going to the SEC tournament and just trying to take care of business and continuing to show like how we are as a team, we know would take care of itself.

Q. What do you know about Buffalo?

TAMARI KEY: They are a good team and they move well on offense. They have some good guards, good post presence, so all around just a tough team and we're looking forward to playing them.

JORDAN WALKER: Yeah, I used to play against them all the time at Western (Michigan), so just seeing them now, it's a pretty similar team. They have good guards, good inside play, so I think it'll be a good challenge for us.

Buffalo is a good team.

Q. Tamari, obviously Jordan, you know, came from mid-major, and so did Keyen Green and Alexus (Dye), who kind of serves as reminder that mid-majors shouldn't be underestimated. How has that served as an extra reminder to you guys these weeks preparing for Buffalo?

TAMARI KEY: I think for us it's March now, and teams really step up and people don't want their seasons to end, don't want to go home.

So I feel like to just brings a different umph to teams and players. You can't overlook anybody. You start the game zero-zero no matter if it's a mid-major or if it's a one or two seed.

We're just going in to give it our all tomorrow.

Q. For both Jordan and Tamari, you were in the bubble last year. Have you had a chance to look at the swag bags this year? And if you have, how different is that from last year and the fact that you get to be here on campus to play rather than in the sterile bubble? How much difference might that be this weekend?

JORDAN WALKER: I haven't had a chance to look at the swag bags yet, but I'm sure that after last year and just taking some feedback, that they'll be amazing. I think the swag bags last year were pretty good as well, so I really can't complain.

TAMARI KEY: I think for us, playing at home, it's just really special. We'll be able to play in front of our home crowd, so I think honestly that's the best part about it, just knowing they're going to show up and show out for us these first two rounds.

Q. You guys had the Girl Scouts at your practice this week. What what was it like to have them there and have that reminder that there are so many young girls in this community that look up to you guys?

JORDAN WLAKER: It was amazing, and not only because we got some cookies, but it was just a really good time just to see them.

It's just really special when you look at it and you're like, wow, I was in their shoes one day looking up to girls doing something I wanted to do.

So just to be able to give back to them and give pointers and time and smiles and stuff like that is just priceless.

Q. Jordan Horston, will she be available on Saturday?

KELLIE HARPER: No, Jordan is not available on Saturday.

Q. How much has she been able to do at practice?

KELLIE HARPER: She's still doing lots of rehab and doing conditioning. Because it is her left elbow she can do some shooting, but she's not in practice at this point.

Q. Coach, you said following the SEC tournament you have a unique situation where you can just practice for the NCAA tournament for about two weeks. What were some areas you really honed in on in practice?

KELLIE HARPER: I tell you what, first two practices back were the toughest practices we've had probably since the fall semester. We really got after it. It was fun. I thought it was fun.

You know, we worked a lot on our defense, trying to get technically correct with our box outs. We worked on toughness, our offensive execution, transition games.

We were able to get a lot of work with the basics, but then also really challenge them to be as good as they could possibly be.

So I think -- you know, I can't have probably scripted it better in terms of what we were looking for in the last couple weeks. We were able to get good time off and able to really practice hard.

Sometimes when you get to late January, February, and can you're in SEC play, you loosen up a little bit on what you're doing sometimes in practice because the games are coming so quick.

So this was a great opportunity for us to really get after it on the court. I love the mindset, the attitude, and the effort.

Q. Kellie, would you talk a little bit about Buffalo. What did you see out of them? What impresses you the most?

KELLIE HARPER: Well, you get to talk about -- if you're talking about Buffalo, the first thing you're going to talk about is Fair. This guard can put up big numbers against anybody. You know, she is a go-to. She's a dynamic kid that can put the team on her back and carry them.

So she's going to be a handful for us to slow down.

Then they have other good players that do their job. Woolley, Hemphill, they got players that can score, rebound, and their entire team can defend. They are tough defensively. They change up their defenses a lot.

They're coming in ranked No. 1 in their league on offensive boards. They're really good in transition, and a lot of that is the creativity that Fair brings.

So there is a challenge for us on both ends of the court.

Q. Coach, obviously with basketball being a tournament sport you can learn some stuff about your team in the post season maybe you didn't know in the regular season. Have you learned anything about your team and where they are now?

KELLIE HARPER: Well, I was really proud of them coming out the SEC tournament and what their outlook was and how they have really responded to our staff pushing them.

They're a tough group. They want to win. They're competitive. That doesn't guarantee wins, but that sure makes my job a lot of fun, to have a group that's going to give you everything they've got.

I get it, we're not perfect, we'll make mistakes, but we'll fight through and play for each other.

Q. You've got some players who this is their last go-around, and you were in that position yourself. How do you balance that sense of urgency but also enjoy it?

KELLIE HARPER: Yeah, you know, every year at some point I think about at any moment this is person X's past game. I don't let myself go there because you don't know when that moment is going to happen.

I don't know that I've ever been ready for it regardless of whether we were playing and finished in a tournament, conference tournament or finished at the Sweet 16.

So you just don't -- it's hard to prepare for because you're so excited about the moment and what you're doing and then the possibilities.

And the ending, whenever that comes, is so abrupt. It is hard to swallow, so I don't really think about it until I absolutely have to.

Q. Playing the games here, what are you expecting from the great Lady Vols fans this weekend?

KELLIE HARPER: I think our fans are going to be here, be excited, they'll be loud. You know, they're looking forward to some good basketball. We have four talented teams here. Should be a lot of fun.

The one thing that you know you're going to get is a great environment when you walk into Thomson Bowling Green Arena. I know we're looking forward to it, and hope our guests are as well.

Q. Coach, obviously when you're playing through a bracket it's a little bit different than the regular season. You can predict, but it's not always the same. How does that change your approach as a coaching staff?

KELLIE HARPER: Yeah, so what we do in any tournament situation, whether that's a regular season tournament, post season tournament, conference or NCAA, we go ahead and assign scouting reports to our assistant coaches.

I work one at a time. I do not look ahead. The only team I have looked at is Buffalo. That's the only team I'm going to look at, because that's what matters. If you don't pass that test, you don't get to move on.

So that's the priority for us.

Q. Coach, first time hosting the NCAA tournament as a head coach at Tennessee. Obviously there is just such a unique buzz and this tournament is so special. As a former player, what do you remember? What's one of your favorite moments of playing in March madness besides the obvious?

KELLIE HARPER: Yeah, so my freshman year they didn't tell me all the rules would be different. I remember being the person that I was, I just zipped out on the court, grabbed the ball, and started shooting and it started the clock and half the team was not ready. Probably half of them in the locker room.

I remember the coaches weren't real happy with me. Maybe they should have told me. Every year I make sure to tell our team, Do not pick up the basketball until we are ready to go.

I learned the hard way. For whatever reason that memory is going to stick out forever. I remember the vibe, the environment, the curtains. I remember the curtains. There are so many curtains are the NCAA. Used to be royal blue; now they're black. It always looks really nice. Signage looks nice.

It's really special to be able to play at home. The only player on our team that has played in the NCAA tournament here in Knoxville is Keyen Green, and she was at Liberty when she did it. This is a new experience for all of us.

Q. I'm sure you've been asked this before. You played for Pat Summit. A lot of people in Buffalo are familiar with Tennessee basketball as a whole, but what's it was like for you to carry on her legacy as coach of this program?

KELLIE HARPER: Well, that's a loaded question. It's a lot. I think being a former player here, you know, I have a lot of love and passion for this program. I've always wanted this program to succeed and always pulled for the Lady Vols regardless of where I was.

Obviously I think there is a big responsibility that I have and that our program has to a lot of different things. To Pat's legacy for sure, to this community, our conference, and women's basketball, because I think when Tennessee is good, I think women's basketball is better.

Q. One of the players from SEC tournament that stood out is was Kaiya Wynn. What have you seen from her these last couple weeks that make you think she's going to be important down the stretch?

KELLIE HARPER: Yeah, I think we're going to need Kaiya to come in and give us great minutes, and we need that on both ends of court. She's playing with great energy, a lot of confidence right now. She has the ability to handle the ball. She pretty careful with it. She can get to the basket.

Defensively she is quick, physical, and she can rebound. We're going to need those things from her. You know, I think she had good practices this week to kind of carryover from the SEC tournament.

Q. You mentioned that responsibility to women's basketball. In trying to grow the game and get to the point of neutral sites, how close do you think women's basketball might be? And secondly, on the other side, how nice is it to be at home this weekend with the supportive fan base?

KELLIE HARPER: Yeah, you know, I think we've got -- as women's basketball we kind of got to reevaluate. Two years ago we weren't playing. Last year one site. Back to home sites. - I think we've got to sit back and look and see where we are.

I think there will be a lot of evaluation done after this tournament. You know, I'm proud of our team for earning the opportunity to host. First and foremost really proud of our team.

I think or body of work throughout the year gave us this opportunity, and I'm thrilled that we get to continue to play in this environment, because it's one of the best for women's basketball across the country. I think that is good.

I think it's good to play in this environment, and hopefully it's great for our fans. And not just our fans, but for women's basketball fans. You can come here and see four really good teams. I think our community here can really embrace not just the Lady Vols, but good basketball. That's excite being.

Q. You mentioned the four teams playing here for the first and second rounds. Belmont being an in-state school, have you had a chance to talk to coach Bart Brooks?

KELLIE HARPER: Honestly I have not. I have not been able to talk to him. I think it's neat for us to be able to host another in-state team. I'm sure they'll bring a pretty good fan base over here as well.