NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - NORTH CAROLINA VS ARIZONA

March 20, 2022

Courtney Banghart

Eva Hodgson

Alyssa Ustby

North Carolina Tar Heels

Media Conference

Q. Eva, the Arizona players were talking about how the different ball impacted their shooting last night. Did you feel that the different ball impacted shooting at all?

EVA HODGSON: Personally, no. I think we had time on -- what day did we play? What was yesterday? Saturday. So we had time on Friday and Saturday to get enough touches with the ball to feel more comfortable with it. And I think this is something as you get more -- like even today and tomorrow, we'll have more touches, so I didn't feel it affected our game at all. But it also depends on the team.

Q. After you guys won your game yesterday you went, and you checked out the Arizona-UNLV game. What were some things that jumped out to you just watching it from the stands?

ALYSSA USTBY: I think just watching, especially with Arizona and the two low posts, which we can expect for tomorrow's game as well. So that was helpful to get some highs on.

EVA HODGSON: Even just the way they pressed as well and being prepared for that and being able to play up tempo to break the press, but then slow the tempo down when we want to get the shots that we can.

Q. Going off the concept of pressing, Arizona likes to pressure, they like to trap. Steven F. Austin does as well. What are the similarities, what are the differences? Liz, You can go first.

ALYSSA USTBY: I think the similarities, just the ball pressure, picking up full court. And it was helpful to play SFA, a team that did some full-court pressure, in preparation for the game against Arizona because we are able to see that, you know, we need somebody flashing to the ball. We need to be smart using pass fakes and attacking hips. So all of these things we were able to learn and today we went over them in preparation for Arizona's press.

EVA HODGSON: Yeah, to build off that, I mean, to echo everything she just said and then we also can fine-tune it a little bit to more specific press. But it allowed us to kind of shake off the rust from not having played in two weeks and to play against a press that we haven't seen before. And tomorrow we'll just reattack with that in mind.

Q. Arizona was out-rebounded just ahead by UNLV, and you guys are good rebounding team. What is important about rebounding to you and what is kind of the philosophy? How do you think you get good at rebounding?

ALYSSA USTBY: Getting good at rebounding is just a consistent will to go get the ball. Definitely takes a little bit of skill, learned skill, which is boxing out and grabbing the ball with two hands, but it's really Whichever team and which individual is willing to put themselves in a position where they're going to get bumped around constantly on both ends of the floor. And I think that is a skill that our team takes pride in. Therefore, we're out-rebound a lot of teams as well in our season.

Q. You guys have played before big crowds but not one like what's going to be tomorrow. What is your mindset? And you sat and saw what the crowd was like yesterday.

EVA HODGSON: I'm excited. Personally, I love to play in front of big crowds, especially at away games because there isn't always necessarily an underlying theme of love and so you just kind of get to interact with people. It was fun to see it yesterday and walk through the crowd and even interact with people then. They were great and friendly and fun and congratulating us on moving on. Personally, I'm really excited.

ALYSSA USTBY: I'm also looking forward to the crowd that Arizona and our team is going to bring tomorrow night. A crowd this size would probably be playing at NC State and that fan base is a little more aggressive towards some of the players, rightfully or kind of rightfully so, considering the rivalry. I'm also really looked forward to it and I think our team is going to have a lot of fun playing in that crowd for sure.

Q. So Pellington, the point guard for Arizona, just dropped 30 in last night's game and she was pretty ruthless on the drive. What are you guys looking to do to contain her?

ALYSSA USTBY: We're just going to stick to our defensive principles. And something that separates our players on the defensive end is our pride. We take a lot of pride in shutting players down and I can't imagine a girl going off for 30 on us.

EVA HODGSON: Yeah, and I think building off that, too, we just take a lot of pride in playing together. And so with a player like that, it is not always on one person. It's on the whole team. And so understanding that she just had 30 and likely still pretty hot off of that so we can kind of be in our gaps better and just talk more and be more prepared for that.

Q. And one thing Arizona talked about in their press conference was the transition defense, and they really said that that was the key to their game against you guys tomorrow. Can you guys talk about how important that fast break is for you guys and your game?

ALYSSA USTBY: Just going off of what we were talking about with the defensive side, that leads to our offense. And so we get a lot of runouts. We look to push up the floor. And a lot of teams started to scout that. I have been -- as I've been running up the floor, some girls give me contact at the top of the key and the free-throw line, and that -- it's like it's a great sign because I'm pulling in a guard and that's going to open up the arc.

So I'm excited that they are looking forward to the transition defense because that will open up other opportunities for our shooting guards.

Q. Is there a team in the ACC similar to Arizona, from what you have seen, that you can compare and help you prepare?

ALYSSA USTBY: I would probably say Georgia Tech, just the similarities, I would say, are their two strong and tall low post players as well as a facilitating guard and a shooter off ball. I would say those two are pretty similar. But definitely have to treat them a little differently based on their personnel and the style of play.

Q. So you said Georgia Tech. It didn't go so hot. What do you need to adjust from that game to prepare for a team that plays similar to them?

EVA HODGSON: I think we learned a ton from that game, and I think that there is a little bit of differences too between how Georgia plays in just the press sense of it. And so now understanding how we can attack a little bit more and create more for each other, which I felt like we did a good job as the game went on last night. And so doing that and then really what Lyss said, just allowing the defense to spark the offense in the transition game, because I don't think we had too much of that against Georgia tech. So I think that will be key for tomorrow.

Q. So this Arizona team, obviously they made it to the national championship last year, and 11 players on their current roster have NCAA experience. You guys are a younger team, and you have kind of talked about that. In your eyes, what is some experience that you all have from the season that has prepared you for this moment?

ALYSSA USTBY: I think our most important experience has been every game throughout our season playing together because at the end of the day, connectedness and putting your team's needs and sacrificing what you need to do for your team is what's going to take you far. And I think our team has done a great job developing over the season and we're ready to play any team.

Q. Hey, Eva, let me ask you about yesterday. You all went small for long stretches and that was successful. In looking at the scout, do you think you're going to be able to do that against a bigger Arizona team or how would the dynamic be different tomorrow?

EVA HODGSON: I mean, I think those adjustments come as the game goes on. Mo matter the size players we put in there, it's the heart that makes up for it. And Alyssa is not the biggest person on the court most of the time, but the way that she fights with some of the biggest players on the court just goes to show that we're not going to back down no matter what the size of the opponent is.

And so I think we will still be able to go small if we need to because we have that much fight in us. But there's going to be moments where we have some bigger lineups in as well.

Q. Eva, can you talk about the guard matchup with Pellington, that's probably one of the most formidable guard matchups you probably faced this season.

EVA HODGSON: Yeah, it's just understanding kind of tendencies and personalities and personnel. Some of them aren't as comfortable shooting the three. So it's understanding how we can play off them in certain situations and allow some help inside. But again, you kind of read it as it goes.

Yesterday we played against Number 22 who was hitting the three and so you got to adjust as the game goes on. And that's something that we'll have to do tomorrow as well.

Q. And then Alyssa, kind of a similar question. You ended up playing the five a lot yesterday. And challenges will be greater tomorrow against a taller team. As you were talking about comparing it to the Georgia Tech game, can you talk about what you'll face tomorrow?

ALYSSA USTBY: Yeah, so like we talked about, there is two low post players for Arizona that are pretty physical and a lot bigger than myself. But along with the heart that Eva said, I think my speed makes up for a lot of it. So circling the post, making entry really difficult, and I think I have more longevity throughout the game.

So I've -- I take pride in my conditioning, and I have worked really hard with that, so I know I can outlast any post player. And so I'm really excited for that matchup.

Q. This question is for either player. I appreciate you guys taking out this time. I'm curious to know if there is any conversation or any motivation coming from the fact that if you guys win this game you will get at least one more game in front of basically a home crowd in Greensboro, and if that is adding to motivation of you guys wanting to win this game tomorrow night.

EVA HODGSON: It is definitely added motivation at this point. There is a lot of motivation for us to just keep going. We hadn't won an NCAA game in a while for North Carolina. That was motivation for the first.

And then the second is beating a team that's ranked higher than us and getting to play in Greensboro. I think the motivation kind of keeps piling up and we're hungry for it.

COACH BANGHART: So good to be here. We are thrilled to be one of the 32 still playing. It was a little bit of a battle against a very, very good SFA team and fun to be back doing what we like to do, which is playing hoops and winning in March.

Q. You talked about that challenge against SFA, and Arizona also struggled against UNLV. What does that tell you about March and maybe what is going to happen tomorrow?

COACH BANGHART: Just so many good teams. Women's basketball is in a really good spot. I have been in this game a long time and seeing the health of it is really inspiring, right. Means your time is worth it. And when you have -- whether they're with Belmont upsetting Oregon, I don't think there are people in Belmont that thought that was an upset, right. The people making seeds are one vantage point and the coaches know a lot about the teams and the game is just really healthy.

You will have two good teams playing for a Sweet 16 tomorrow night in Arizona and North Carolina. It will be a treat for a community that has really fallen in love with women's basketball here, and we're honored to be a part of that.

Q. Coach, from a coach's perspective, how do you prepare your team for playing in McKayle tomorrow because of the expected maybe sellout and so forth?

COACH BANGHART: The crowd -- again, when you put this much time into something, you want it to be -- you want it to matter, right. And when we walk out on that floor to start our warmup and when I come out to meet my team, it will be very clear that this matters, right. Like what else could you ask for? You know, I'm coaching basketball for a living, right? That's gratitude on gratitude. And then you're doing it in front of people that care, right.

I think the crowd size definitely creates an advantage for Arizona, right, because their positives feel more positives and ours don't feel as positive if you allow the noise to get -- to be a part of it.

We played in front of -- the ACC is really prideful as well. So we've played in front of great environments that is kind of known for -- even playing at Carmichael, it's loud. Even though they are rooting for you, they are still messing with the play calls. I can't hear them. My guys can't hear me. Just a testament of how the community rallied. As a basketball coach, it's gratifying.

Q. So your players just talked about sort of the experience of playing at NC State as preparation for this big and loud game that they're expecting tomorrow in McKale. Obviously NC State has a little bit of a smaller gym than McKayle. How do you think that experience has prepared you all for this atmosphere that you are all anticipating tomorrow?

COACH BANGHART: It's a lot of people that are disrupting your signal calling and things like that, right. But it also creates an environment, right. If I had a choice between a gym full of fans that are not rooting for me and an empty gym, I would choose the gym full of fans that aren't rooting for me, right. It creates an environment, a buzz and an energy. And again, it is a constant reminder that what you're doing matters. NC State has drawn a great crowd at Carmichael, we have drawn a great crowd when we went to Louisville my first year. It's a basketball community that -- there are so many women's teams now that are drawing people, and so the crowd will be a factor in that it brings a lot of enthusiasm and that also they are rooting for one team, right. And so that team will feel that energy as well.

Silencing the crowd is kind of what you want to do, too, so yeah, it's just -- I'm so glad to be playing in a game that is going to have so many people who have eyes on it.

Q. Obviously, Deja Kelly dropped 28 points, but you also have four other players in double digits. Do you think there is kind of one X factor to this team or that anyone can really step up at any given moment?

COACH BANGHART: Yeah, I think if you're truly a team guy, then you're willing to do whatever the game calls for. And when I talked with Deja the day before yesterday's game, I made sure she understood that, that -- I don't know. Will Arizona require that she scores 28 for us to win or will it require her to be more of a facilitator and play through their aggressive defense to give more people open looks? I don't know. I don't know how the game is going to go. It's just having really good players willing to understand what their role needs to be as the moment calls for it, right.

I'm grateful that we have such great versatility and speed across the roster. Toddy had 15. Eva, whatever her stats weren't, she was. And Carly, our point guard, almost had a double-double. And so that's what that game called for. This will be a totally different a game maybe. I don't know. To have options in May is a beautiful thing.

Q. A little more of like an X and O's questions, but what are the keys that you're breaking down for your players to beating Arizona?

COACH BANGHART: Just a short turnaround to play a really good team, right. There are some games and sometimes throughout the game where coaches have to play chess a little bit. This is not one of those games. This is one of those games where you're late in March, you're late in your run and there just comes a time where you just got to play basketball, right?

So how you come together to play basketball, it's that simple. You know, they are up-tempo, they are big, right. And we also are up-tempo, and we can move the ball really well and we have got more range from three at various spots. So we are different in certain ways, but I think we are probably more similar than we are different in terms of there comes a time where they're going to roll it out and we're going to roll it out and it's going to be two really good teams that have to react to the ebb and flow of the game.

Q. What are the takeaways that you have from Saturday's game that you are bringing into tomorrow's game?

COACH BANGHART: I think knowing that we have been able to play against pressure on the floor and have been in the gym and shot in the gym and had people and played against people wearing a different color than us in the gym. Although it is a true road game, we have been here before. We have been here for a while now. Playing against a similar style of pressure is helpful in that way. Playing against a team that played only zone and then we both played a team that plays only man, you're kind of like eh. But you still have the comforts of the gym.

They pressure a ton. It was interesting because they said Georgia Tech. There is an innocence to these college kids. They don't really kind of track on all that is happening, right. They are not very similar to Georgia Tech. They are similar in that there is two tall people on the court at one time. Other than that, Georgia Tech wants to score in the 50s, right. But that is really because their pace of play is slow.

That's not Arizona. They are actually very different, those of you who are actually writing an article on this. More like Miami on the women's side. Dynamic guards and elite bigs and they want to extend the court on both directions over 94 feet. And so, you know, there is -- their -- you know, their vision's one thing and my vision's different.

Q. Obviously, against kind of a smaller FFA team, you guys put up 38 rebounds, Eva only put up 22 last night. How do you guys plan to continue to stay aggressive on the glass and fight for the rebounds against a slightly bigger team?

COACH BANGHART: I think we out-rebounded all but one of our opponents. You guys will have the numbers more than me. But we intend to out-rebound every team we play because there's two -- you get a chance at both sides of the ball. Position and pursuit on defensive end and pursuit on the offensive end is part of what we do.

So we have been undersized all year long and we out-rebounded people all year long. 50 rebounds in multiple games. I have a great respect for Lauren Ware and for Reese and the ones that come in behind her that are bigger than anybody on my roster, right. But there is a positioning and a pursuit that rebounding requires and our kids have been pretty consistent with that. And it is also an ultimate 50/50 ball, right. So it dictates who gets the ball, right. And so a game like this, you want to try to have as many possessions as you can. So it's a very key stat for sure.

Q. Somebody asked this to the players just before, and I thought it was an interesting question, so I want to get your take on it. But the idea that winning this game and then you get to go and play in Greensboro again, sort of that is a motivating factor, if you could speak on that.

Q. Obviously going back to Greensboro, this has become a team in that so many people in our state have loved. For them to come back and get to see their team more, if I had a penny for every text I received about just please, we just want to see you guys play again, right, live, I think it means as much that we would be giving that back to the fans that have infused so much energy in us, more so than the added motivation for me about where the games are played. My family and my team will be here either way. Wherever that is, great. I think for our fans, to be able to give them that would be extra special for sure.

Q. Courtney, obviously you played with a lot of smaller players in a lot of the game yesterday. Will you be able to do that against a taller lineup against Arizona or will you need more from, Anya, Aly, and Malu than you got yesterday?

COACH BANGHART: You know, we want to have everybody to help us out. I don't know the answer to that. As you've seen us play all year, we have to adjust to what the game requires. We've had some really big good bigs in the league and Alyssa guarded both of them just fine, and so has Dess and Dess is even smaller. We need everybody to help us win this basketball game just like we need them every time. Had you told me that Allie Z would play so well in front of her fans and play so much before the game, I probably wouldn't have believed you. That is what the game called for. So if we have to go small or if going small gives us an advantage, then we're going to do that.

Q. Alyssa talked about playing the five and her confidence in match-ups where she has given up height. How is she able to navigate that sort of match-up?

COACH BANGHART: There is a lot to be said for a kid who can move her feet in such an elite manner. An elite athlete because of the way she can move. She's got great angles, she's really efficient with the footwork and a high motor and really competitive. That kind of makes up for size. Of course, you are talking to a below average-sized basketball coach as well, so size is sort of lost on me.

But yeah, I think she's -- there's -- where you get one thing, you have to give up something else, right? And you can't be slow and small, so she has chosen that she's going to be fast and small. Just like you can't be big and useless, right? So I think she's figured it out. Anya has figured it out at times throughout the year. Where we have been a little inconsistent we have always found a way.

Q. I want to ask about the guard matchup. Obviously you faced really good guard combinations in the ACC. What are the special challenges that Pellington and Yeaney will give you tomorrow?

COACH BANGHART: They are 27 years old and been in this a long time and played in national company games, and there comes a level of confidence that comes with experience. They're elite athletically, they've got great physicality, and they're playing in March and the urgency that athletes play with in March. And so, you know, as I said, if you're looking for an easy match-up, then you're in the wrong tournament. You're not going to play a team in the round of 32 that has poor guard play, whether Arizona or Maryland or Iowa's guards or they got to play North Carolina's guards. It is just good guards all over the country that are playing in March and good bigs. Just not much different than what we were expecting this time of the year.

Q. Thank you.

COACH BANGHART: Of course.

Q. This has been kind of asked to everyone since Yeaney brought it up, about switching to a different ball and how that can affect some shooting. What are your thoughts on changing like that and what they can do?

COACH BANGHART: I'm not relied on to shoot anymore. I used to be, though, and the ball mattered when I was playing. That was a long time ago. We have -- like most programs, we'll have a multitude of balls, we'll have some Adidas, and we'll have some Spalding balls on the rack because if we are playing a team on the road that has those balls, it obviously matters. Otherwise, you wouldn't do that. But at the same time, it's kind of like you have two ways to handle it. You either handle it or you don't, right. In basketball, there are lots of different ways to put the ball in the basket. If you are not shooting well from the perimeter, you should get to the rim. If you are not able to finish, you should shoot for the perimeter. So that is kind of on the players to have to figure out.

And we have been here awhile. Arizona allowed us to be here a day early and practice here with the balls and with the gym and stuff like that. You have to ask shooters on that. If you're not shooting well, it is really awesome to say it was the ball, right, and I have been known to do that, too.

Q. Coach, thank you.

COACH BANGHART: Of course, absolutely.