NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - BELMONT VS TENNESSEE

March 20, 2022

Alexus Dye

Jordan Walker

Tennessee Lady Volunteers

Media Conference

Q. Jordan, obviously Belmont is a very guard-oriented team, and this is going to be a very guard-oriented game. What are the guards' thoughts, and you, of course, at the point guard spot going into this game?

JORDAN WALKER: Looking at Belmont, like you said, they have really good guards and they're able to score at many different levels. I think that the most important part for us tomorrow is just going to be able to be guarding one-on-one, sitting down, guarding screens, being able to guard the three and just playing with heart.

Q. Belmont hit 12 threes last night, and Kentucky was able to do that against you guys in the SEC tournament. What do you feel like you guys maybe learned from that game that you'll carry into this one?

JORDAN WALKER: I think having that Kentucky game, you know, hindsight now, but looking at it, we're (not) able to guard. I think we've been working on that in our team before playing yesterday. So, just coming into the game, making sure we're able to guard the three, I think, is going to be really important for us. And looking back at that Kentucky game, that's a little bit of a fire under us because we know what the outcome is if we're not able to guard that.

Q. Alexus, the Buffalo coach yesterday said they could not do anything to keep you off the glass. They said they got Tamari boxed out a couple of times, but they could not stop you from getting on the board. She called you a juggernaut on the glass. Just how key -- and Belmont, of course, knows Tennessee rebounds so well. Just how big of a factor are rebounds going to be tomorrow night?

ALEXUS DYE: It's going to be a big factor because I was watching that game yesterday, and they were rebounding against Oregon. They're tall and stuff, and it was just like, we got to have a lot of movement. So, we got to just fight over those box-outs and got to still go grab those rebounds. Even if they're boxing us out, we just got to push a little harder.

Q. This is for both of you guys, but I feel like anyone who's watched women's basketball the last few years realizes that kind of closing the gap between the mid-major teams and the Power 5 teams in the tournament. Especially this weekend, I feel like that has been apparent. With both of you guys transferring in from mid-majors, what is that like for you to kind of see that maybe respect being given to these teams now in the tournament?

JORDAN WALKER: I think that now, like with tournament play, any team in the tournament is capable of playing. They've won their conference and obviously they can play. So, I think that it's good for the mid-majors, but I also think that it's just kind of like, it's March now. Everybody here, everybody in the tournament can play. So every single night you have to come out and play, no matter the opponent, whether it's Power 5 or mid-major, whoever.

Q. For both Alexus and Jordan, obviously you're not here to carry the burden of Tennessee teams past. You're aware of the history. With that said, Tennessee has not been to a Sweet 16 since 2016. Would that be a meaningful milestone to be a part of, to get Tennessee back to that point for both of you?

ALEXUS DYE: Yes. I feel like it would be a beautiful milestone, because for me, I've never been to a Sweet 16. I've never passed the first round, actually. And I'm pretty sure my teammates would love and cherish this memory forever if we were able to make it to Sweet 16.

JORDAN WALKER: Yeah. I think Snoop got it in a nutshell.

Q. For both of you, while trying to deal with getting on the boards and dealing with the inside game, Belmont knocked down 12 threes last night, and they shoot it. Almost everyone can shoot it and knock it down. What's the challenge when you're facing a team that can shoot it like that of making sure you're getting out and defending on them while keeping them from hurting you that way?

JORDAN WALKER: I think that the challenge is chasing them off the three a little bit, making them make contested threes versus just wide-open threes. I think that that's going to be a big difference with making threes for any team. If it's wide open, of course, you can knock it down, but if it's contested or you're being chased off the line, I think it's a little bit harder.

Q. I know we've talked about the adversity, what this team has been through and once was projected one seed very much everyone thought this was kind of a given that you guys were going to make this run. But given what you guys have been through, what does it mean to actually be at this moment and have the opportunity still in front of you to take?

JORDAN WALKER: I think that, honestly, I think that this opportunity is perfect for us. I think with being able to win this game and going to the Sweet 16, like it just kind of sums up the season that we've had. We've been through a lot and I feel like if we continue to fight night in and night out, we'll be able to go as far as we want and I feel like that's been something that we've been saying all year. But it's so true with this team. Like, if we just go out there and we do what we're supposed to do and we fight and give effort and play together, I really feel like the sky is the limit for us.

Q. For both players, Belmont, obviously there's no pressure on them. They're playing Tennessee's home court. They're another Tennessee school. The pressure, of course, if you even choose to call it pressure, gets put on Tennessee. With that in mind, how important is a good start for you guys, because their fans are going to be here. It should be a pretty raucous crowd.

ALEXUS DYE: I feel like a good start is what we need but one thing is that we need to keep that. Like, we don't need to let it die down, because usually we let it die down and we get like comfortable and stuff like that. We just need to keep ramming it down their throats.

JORDAN WALKER: Yeah, I agree. I just think that with a good start we just need to keep that. But I think that now, and I was saying yesterday, I feel like the first ten minutes usually kind of indicates how the game is going to go. You start off really good, you keep pushing, no matter what happens, I feel like that's going to determine the game. And obviously, you know, things can happen, but with this team, if we start off really good and we're hitting, I think that that's a good sign for us.

Q. Alexus, obviously last year you guys played in the tournament, but this year being at Tennessee and playing in your home court, what's that been like for you, and I guess how much fun have you been having in March?

ALEXUS DYE: It's an advantage because, you know, we get our fans and things like that. We get our support, the people that keep us going and encourages us. I feel like it's critical because last year we didn't have many fans, but it was just like the atmosphere, it just like gives you a boost, you know.