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

March 18, 2022

Tara VanDerveer

Fran Belibi

Lexie Hull

Stanford Cardinal

Media Conference

Stanford 78, Montana State 37

TARA VANDERVEER: I think that I just want to congratulate Montana State on getting into the NCAA. Tricia's team, I thought played really hard.

Our team had to respond, and I thought we did. Especially our defense was really good, and Fran's dunk really made it exciting.

Q. Fran, talk about the dunk. What did you see and walk us through that moment.

FRAN BELIBI: Yeah, I think our coaches did a great job of preparing us for this game. We knew their post players like to shoot, so I was just trying to recover back. I got the block, which was cool, and then I was kind of dribbling down and I kind of looked over to see who was there and where she was, and then I got past the three-point line and I kind of went for it, so it worked out.

Q. Fran, you got the afro going on. What was the feeling dunking here at home during the tournament?

FRAN BELIBI: I think we were kind of talking. This one I think was the coolest one just to be able to be here at Maples. I've dunked at Maples multiple time in warm up, as I'm sure you've seen. But to be able to do it in a game and to have all those fans with us and to hear the crowd for, it was a really long time. It was like 30 seconds. That's a long time to be cheering. And just to hear how loud it was in there, that was definitely a highlight.

Q. How did it set the tone for you guys for maybe making a run in this tournament, to get out there and stick to the hallmarks of your game that you've played with all season?

LEXIE HULL: I think more than anything we're just excited to be playing and playing with each other. I think at the beginning of the game you kind of saw that we got going quickly. I think that made us feel comfortable in this tournament. I know a lot of people on the team this is their first real tournament. I think everyone is just getting comfortable and playing within themselves, and I think this was a good day for us. Everyone got some time out there and to kind of feel it out for themselves. Super proud of Fran. I know we were so hyped for her.

Q. Fran, the fans went crazy obviously, but your team went crazier. Your dunk seemed to have that inspiring effect.

FRAN BELIBI: Yeah, it's really funny because I dunk all the time, and I think, like when I look back at pictures, everyone is still just as excited as if it was their first time seeing it. I think it's really cool to see that on their faces. They've been getting on me all year about not dunking so far. The freshmen have been like, we came here for this, so where is it? So it was really cool to get it and to make it happen, and then to just get engulfed, I felt really loved.

Q. Lexie, I think in the moment you were in the game when she dunked. What was your reaction to it? Obviously you're still trying to play, but what was your comprehension as she was doing it and then afterwards?

LEXIE HULL: Yeah, I was running right behind her and it was like, we see a potential lane, and we're like, do it, do it, do it, and then when she did it, I was so excited. I think, like, thinking back on plays, people don't remember, oh, it was a really cool three-point shot or it was a great shot. People remember the dunks. I remember every single one of Fran's. To be right there was super cool and definitely a memory I'll have forever.

Q. Fran, I guess it wasn't just the dunk. You led the game with 13 rebounds, and given the thing that precipitated the dunk was a blocked shot that you had. How did you feel you played all around tonight?

FRAN BELIBI: I mean, T dog, what do you think? I had a couple mishaps on defense, but overall, we're just trying to build and keep growing. Tara told us before the game we're always trying to get better. We don't want to play tomorrow like we did today. We're playing to be better tomorrow than we were today. So I had a couple cool things happen, but there's definitely a lot of things to work on and I know as a team we're all going to keep working on them.

Q. Tara, what was the biggest thing you were focusing on with Montana State going into the game?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, we wanted to establish ourselves at the defensive end, and I think we did that in the first quarter, and then really just make sure that we were playing basketball that will help us continue to play in this tournament, taking care of the basketball, which I was disappointed with some of our turnovers. But we're working hard on defense, rebounding, and Fran did a great job on the glass getting a double-double. The fact that we could play everyone, and in the tournament, you want to have people excited and ready. Also not having anyone get hurt is a major thing. We're really excited to be going into Sunday's game healthy and everyone ready to contribute.

Q. Just talk about getting a shutout in the first quarter. That's a tough thing to do. Talk about what allowed you to get that shutout, and as it was getting close to a shutout, was that a goal, hey, it would be cool to get that?

LEXIE HULL: I think in the middle of the quarter, not necessarily something we were like, oh, we can do this this quarter, but just to take every possession seriously. And our coaches did a great job preparing us for tonight, and so we kind of knew going in what we thought they were going to do, and to be able to execute on defense what we've practiced these past couple weeks, it felt good. I think it just made us, like I said, more comfortable and into the game coming out like that.

Q. Can you talk about -- Lexie, it's your first time playing at home in the tournament since your freshman year. Fran, it's your first time, period. How excited are you to be able to do that again?

LEXIE HULL: I love it. I love playing in Maples and to think about this is the last two games that I'll ever play in Maples, it's super special to be able to be here playing in front of friends, family, that have come down. It's crazy because it's kind of full circle. Start here, end here. And just super thankful for the fans that came out tonight. It seemed extremely packed, extremely loud. We heard it when Fran dunked, especially.

But yeah, we're super thankful for the fans here.

FRAN BELIBI: Yeah, I mean, to echo what Lexie said, obviously this is my first time, and we've been joking, like, I have no idea what's gone on campus. I've never been a part of something like this. Even last year -- even in our first tournament, we had very limited fans. So to be able to play at Maples, and like Lexie said, to see the gym packed and have so many fans behind us, it's definitely something I'll cherish and something we were really excited to have the opportunity for, and we're excited to keep going with it for one more game.

Q. Lexie, have you heard the freshmen razzing Fran, like, okay, we came here to see you dunk? How has that been? Is it once a week? Once a day?

LEXIE HULL: It's all the opportunities where she's on a lane and it's open. We're like, why haven't you -- it's not just the freshmen. It's everyone. We see it in warm-ups but we want to see it every game. No, it's kind of just a running joke for everyone.

Q. Fran, I know in the past you've talked about when you have wanted to dunk maybe sometimes, and you just didn't feel like the timing was right, weren't out far enough ahead or whatever. You looked really determined from the second that you blocked her shot. Are you telling the truth when you say you didn't decide to dunk until you got past the three-point line? Because you looked pretty bound and determined way before half court.

FRAN BELIBI: Well, I was just -- I don't know. When it's happening, I'm not usually like, oh, my God, I'm going to dunk right now, except for one. On this one, I think there were like some outside factors in regards to how open I am, the timing, score situation. Yeah, this one felt good, and I just was watching Lexie get a bunch of steals and goes, so I figured I'd channel her, so I went up for it.

Q. Tara, you get off to a 20-0 lead, and earlier in the game, before you guys, that's what Kansas got out to, a 10-0 lead, and the team came back. Were you surprised how you dominated so early?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, we talked about the fact that that had happened, and we really -- it's really important for our team not to think the game is over in the first three or four minutes of the game. Again, kind of staying focused and really working hard defensively. They had some good looks that some of the shots didn't go down for them, but I don't think I've ever coached a quarter where someone didn't score. I think it's really important for our team to come out and put the hammer down early, and we did, and then we needed to continue it through the 40 minutes. I'm just really -- different people came in and helped. Again, I'm really excited about the number of people that were able to contribute, and going forward, I think that'll be something really important for us.

Q. Tara, I saw after the game you had a moment to chat with Kola Bad Bear of Montana State. What did you guys talk about?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, one of my friends is a professor and runs a tribal teachers' college up in Montana, and I knew where she was from, and I know a lot of people were watching her. Just when you have someone, she came from Pryor and she's a Crow, and just to let her know that it was great that she was getting her degree, and I just wanted to let her know that people back there were cheering for her. It was fun to talk to her. She's a very, very nice young lady.

Q. Tara, did you like how Fran kind of mentioned that she takes into account the situation, the score? She uses her head to make the decision on whether to try for a dunk. Did you get a kick out of hearing everybody all season long saying, Fran, you've got to do it, you've got to do it, and then for her to do it at Maples?

TARA VANDERVEER: I mean, it's two points, and I know it was fun for the crowd because the game maybe was a little bit out of hand at that point, maybe not too much. But it's exciting. I'm glad that she can do that. Usually she goes in the other way, so I wasn't sure she really was going to dunk. She usually goes from left to right coming in this way and that's how she does it in warm-ups. So seeing her going in that way, she's expanded her game. But I did remind her that it's two points and the next play down, there was a girl that got a lay-up, and it was her girl, so I was like, come on, Fran. But really, it adds some excitement, and she had a great game rebounding. But I tell our team, I'm kind of a greedy sucker. I don't want any turnovers. Our defense was great, but we want to take care of the ball better and get better every game. But I'm really happy for her, and the team was crazy in the locker room for her.

Q. Just wanted to follow up on your challenge yesterday. Wondering if you've heard from any other coaches or anyone who's agreed to match? And also if you've found out how much you owe so far?

TARA VANDERVEER: So the challenge is $10 for every three-point shot, and some people are making me pay. I just looked at our team, and our team -- for today's game was $130. I have heard from several coaches and reporters and people that -- men's coaches from up in Portland, Pac-12, Randy Bennett at Saint. Mary's, also Nell Fortner, fans, coaches, people, reporters just are excited. I think everyone -- we're loving the NCAA Tournament. We're loving March Madness. But to think that maybe we could just make a difference for some people would be great.

Thanks for bringing that up.

Q. Her Hoops Stats is actually tracking it. So through 18 games you owe $2,300, just to let you know.

TARA VANDERVEER: Okay.

Q. Your team is so well known for your offense, but to start off the way you did defensively, holding the other team to no points, what does that say about this team going forward through the rest of the tournament?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, I think our defense has really stepped up in the Pac-12 tournament and obviously today. I think every round you just get challenged more, and we'll be very challenged by Kansas. They have a lot of weapons. They're bigger, obviously. They shoot the three ball well. Our defense is always going to be challenged, but our defensive tone is set by Lacie, Lexie, and Anna Wilson. Those three get after it defensively. Usually, like in practice, if those three are together that team will win in practice. I think everyone's defense has been improving, so I'm proud of that, and we're working hard to keep improving our defense.

Q. Just want to know your thoughts on that first quarter shutout. How important it was to set the tone and pounce on a team quickly and early?

TARA VANDERVEER: I think it was really important, and I was really excited that we did that. That's what -- if you're a No. 1 seed, if you let a team hang around, anything can happen. I told our team that before the game. I just said, Kentucky could never imagine they would have lost to St. Peter's. It's like, you can't let a team hang around, so jump right on them, and I was excited that we did that.

Q. You're hearing from Randy and other coaches. Are they saying, way to go, or are they volunteering to kick in?

TARA VANDERVEER: They're volunteering to kick in. Lindsay Schnell, who was just on for a question, had asked different men's coaches if they'd heard about it. She brought up the challenge, and so they sent me their phone number and they kind of want to know what to do, so I'm going to tell them. It's not collecting any money. It's kind of waiting for the end of the tournament, and -- I'm waiting for the end of the women's tournament. Some people are just going with Stanford. Some people are going a dollar. Some people are going a nickel, whatever. I think it's just getting some traction just to say, hey, we're so thankful for what we have and the ability to play. And I coached in Ukraine along with Nell Fortner, so we kind of -- I kind of thought of it when she was here. Yeah, I know the guys look at their three-point shooting, and pony up.

Q. You kind of went into this a little bit already talking about Kansas's size, but what do you expect on Sunday?

TARA VANDERVEER: You know, I think it's going to be a very challenging game for us, so I hope that all the fans that came today can bring their loud friends back. They play in a tough league in the Big 12. They've got inside game, outside game. They shoot the three ball. They're up and they got down. They don't get discouraged. They keep playing hard. So we'll be challenged. I think we're going to need to play better. But for our team to be able to do what we did tonight -- this wasn't the A game from everyone on our team, so hopefully other people will really be able to step up. But it's great that Fran stepped up and Lexie stepped up, Hannah Jump. But to go where we want to go, we're going to need more Haley.

Q. I just wondered, the team pretends to faint evidently on the bench when Fran dunked. Have you ever thought about joining that celebration or are you just going to stay your usual stoic self?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, I'm excited for our team, and I talk to them about the most important thing is the enthusiasm they have. So I'm glad Fran provided a great spark for us, but I was focused on the next play.