NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL FOUR: UCONN VS SOUTH CAROLINA

April 2, 2022

Christyn Williams

Target Center

UConn Huskies

Finals Press Conference

Q. What's going through your mind right now?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I'm just really grateful to be here honestly. Feels good to finally get over that Final Four hump. This is my first time being in the National Championship game, so I'm just really proud of our team and just really grateful to be here.

Q. The team has talked about the seniors, you're the ones driving the bus. How do you take control in the Final game? Is there a certain comfort level to that because it's not some unknown and you know it's the end no matter what?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I mean, yeah. We die right here, it's the last game. We're just going to come out and play like we've been playing all season and lead like we've been leading all season and throw the first punch and bring a lot of energy and intensity to the game.

Like you said, it starts with the seniors, so we're going to bring it tomorrow.

Q. What do you think about the last game against South Carolina?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was at the beginning of the season. We're a much better team now. The key from that game is we're going to have to play great defense and rebound the ball. South Carolina does a great job of getting second-chance shots. If we can limit them, I think we'll be in a good spot.

Q. Do you feel like you guys could carve out an edge with the perimeter play?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, they have a lot of good post players and we have good post players and perimeter players. We're just going to continue to play our game, continue to get the shots that we always get. We just have to knock them down more often.

Q. The jumpers -- the three-point shooting (indiscernible) have you seen that from her?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, she knows up when she wants to show up. She hit some big shots yesterday. I was really happy for her. She steps up and knocks them down and we needed her to make them. That's say senior leader for you.

Q. Are you enjoying it as much as she is?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's pretty cool here. It's colder than what I expected. I thought we were going to get away from the cold but I guess not.

But yeah, it's been cool. We haven't really gotten out much because, you know, been focusing on the games, but it's a pretty cool experience.

Q. After Arizona, you said the motivation -- (indiscernible)?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: It means a lot. That's what we've been working on since we lost that game last year and it feels good to get over the final four hump like I said before. It's not done yet. We've got one more game and just really excited to be here to play tomorrow.

Q. Last year against Arizona, scoring a lot in the fourth quarter -- how do you rewrite your Final Four chapter?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm really happy for Liv. I feel like she got a chance to redouble-team herself. She didn't really have a good showing the last Final Four but she's worked her butt off all season and that motivated her as well, so she played really good last night and she had a lot of big moments last night, so I was really proud of her for that.

Q. Said last night after the game that because you guys have gotten to this point, regardless whether you win or not, you've had a successful season. Is that your mindset or do you feel like you need to win a National Championship to validate your year?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: We want to win. If we lose, I feel like that's not a successful season. I mean, granted we have gone through a lot and you know, getting here is great but we want to finish it out.

Q. This group of girls, how does it (indiscernible)?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: These are my sisters, man. We genuinely love each other and we'd take a bullet for each and every one of us.

I would just say the biggest thing is our depth. We just have so much fun together. Whether we win or lose, this has been one of the most fun seasons that I've had just because of how special this group is and how close we are.

Everybody's goofy, everybody is alike and we just all get along and it helps with our team camaraderie on and off the court.

Q. Seems like you're not just relying on one player. How well do you think you guys are playing balanced and playing a whole team game?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, everybody steps up at different parts of the game and I think that's what makes us special. There's not one, you know, score. It could be anybody on any given night. So it shows the depth on our team and how special this group is.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I would just say lock in in practice and lock in on our scouting report. If we just continue to play how we've been playing all season, I think we'll be in a good spot.

Q. How did you sleep?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I slept good. My adrenaline was going. I woke up early today but you know, I'm good, yeah.

Q. Talk about today and with the fans, getting up close?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, we just figured that out when we got here. I've never experienced that before. So I think that's a really cool thing that they do. It should be fun having the fans there to see us practice a little bit.

Q. You had an experience last night of triple-driving against a long team like Stanford. They were able to cut you off. How can you adjust, knowing you'll have the same type of battles tomorrow against South Carolina?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Me personally? Yeah, I had a tough night last night. They played me as a driver, which was expected. I've just got to knock-down shots, leaving me open, so just got to have the confidence to knock them down.

Q. Everybody has had a role in this -- it's been a total team effort?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: It has been. I think that's why we're special. It's going to take a total team effort to win this game tomorrow and we've been successfully doing that so far, so we just have to continue doing what we've been doing.

Q. What was it like, the beginning of the season you were trying to find your shot, against UCLA, ages going, you were trying to see the ball go in, and you get to now and a lot has changed. Mentally what helped you get to where you are now?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, so back then, that's when Paige got hurt and I feel like I was called to step up and play that role because she was averaging 20 points. I think that kind of backfired for me. I feel like I was trying too hard and trying to force things and it just wasn't going well. So I just had to look in myself in the mirror and say, do what you do best and that's get to the basket.

I kind of got back to that and my shots started falling after I started getting to the basket and picking up on defense.

I just can't force anything. I guess that's my fault now.

Q. Just talk about some practices after you played South Carolina the first time that were especially difficult. Can you just provide a little bit more information or specifics on what those practices consisted of? What was going on after that South Carolina loss?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, those were some of the practice -- well, no, those -- we had a lot of -- yeah, those were the hardest practices that I've had since I've been here. So that says a lot.

They were just very demanding and like you wasn't getting away with anything. So mentally, it was mentally taxing. It was very hard. They are always demanding; that says a lot, too.

I'm not going to go into specifics but just know that it was hard.

Q. Some of the script that you're doing --

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was a lot of running.

Q. What kind of advice are you giving to the younger players on your team about what it takes to get to this point?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: It feels good. We tried to celebrate last night and we locked back in today because the job's not finished yet but it does feel really good to finally get over the Final Four hump.

What advice am I giving the younger players? None, because I've never been here before. But if they ask, I would say just, you know, continue to do what they have been doing all season and just trust the work that we've put in all season.

Q. I was sitting in front of the UCONN families, and I could hear them loud and clear. Curious if you could hear them on the court or feel their energy?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, definitely. The family section was going crazy. We have some of the best fans and family. So it was really exciting to be able to hear them because of how many people was in the gym.

But it was very fun.

Q. Was there anyone in particular whose voice was sticking out in the crowd for you?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: No, I just heard like the whole crowd. Because we were in that one section, so that section was going crazy.

Q. What was the most challenging moment individually or as a team this season?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Individually, I think it was when Paige went down, and me just trying to find that new role, trying to fill the gap, because that was 20 points gone.

I feel like that was a big adjustment for our team just trying to figure out where those points were going to come from and how we were going to band together as a team to figure it all out. And then so that was it collectively.

Another one was when we only had like six people. That was wild just because that's not normal and as much running as we do, it's really hard on our bodies.

It was like a lot. At one point, the practice players had to get in drills with us because we didn't have enough people.

Q. How did you balance that?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: That was difficult, too. It was mentally taxing, as well. But there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. I think the seniors tried to keep the younger guys together as much as possible and the coaches tried to keep the seniors together as much as possible, so it was just a domino effect really.

Q. As a team -- going to you guys -- (indiscernible)?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: It's been really fun. We haven't gotten to see around Minnesota because of the games and our schedule but it's really cool to see like some of our teammates went to the mall, saw Paige and everything. It's fun to see one of our teammates do an event like that.

We love Paige to death and we're excited that we get to play in her hometown.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I mean, yeah, I guess. I mean, we just go from the hotel to the gym, really. So like it's just another gym. But yeah, it's cool that she grew up here and stuff and the fans.

Q. The talk about the next generation -- like when the next Paige comes in, whatever, how are you feeling about sort of that transition, because obviously I remember when you were the next generation at UCONN, and how does watching -- and almost performing excellently in this tournament, how does that help?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Are you asking me how it was when Paige came in? It was an easy adjustment. The player and person that Paige is, she makes it easy. She's not stuck up or anything. She's a great teammate and a great friend.

So she made it very easy, and I was just looking forward to, you know, having another guard that was good, you know. She came in and like Coach said, she had to prove herself, and she did. And so, there we go.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: People are going to talk and say stuff regardless. You're going to have that either way. I don't worry abut that stuff. As long as Paige and impacting the game and the team positively, like that's a great thing.

Q. Was there a specific day or moment where you felt like you got -- like the light at the end of the tunnel?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Well, first, everybody got back healthy. So it was a couple games before the BIG EAST Tournament. When we started going full out again. So I'd say, yeah, that's the turning point.

Q. What was it like -- the tunnel vision?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Really just, you know, film sessions, because people were playing different positions. Like I was just playing point guard. I haven't played a point guard since my freshman year.

So just trying to figure out that situation, and they were just talking to us and trying to encourage us and keep pushing and working hard and that there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Q. You've been so focused to get to this point. What has it meant to you?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: It means a lot. I feel like I've grown so much as a player and as a person. Coach has like pushed me to play my full potential and I wouldn't want it any other way. It's been really hard but I wouldn't want it any other way.

You know, I'm really glad that I've got to play with all the people I've played with at UCONN. My time here has been great, so hopefully we can finish it off the right way.

Q. How are you feeling?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Pretty good. Woke up a little early, though. My adrenaline was still going.

Q. On TV -- (indiscernible.)

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, that was surprising. We didn't get back until late so that was probably a good thing.

Q. A contradiction being here -- watching you celebrate last night -- what's that contradiction like as a player, knowing you expect this and you're excited?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, small victories. I've never won the Final Four game, so of course we were celebrating last night.

But we celebrated last night and now we're locked back in for the game tomorrow and we're just going to true to finish it out.

Q. You've never lost a national title game. Does that put any extra pressure on you that you don't want to be the one to do it?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I didn't even know that until last night. So you know, we're just going to try to continue to play how we've been playing, and you know, hopefully we can finish it out.

Q. Winning the semifinal, was that bigger than this --

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: No. I don't think it gets bigger than -- nothing could be bigger than winning it all.

Yes, it feels good because I never experienced winning that game before but I have also never experienced winning tomorrow either. So I can't imagine it being better than winning the final four.

Q. Why did you come play here --

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Why did I come play? First of all, we have the most national championships and I like to win. So something that he was doing, or is doing, works. And we have the most players in the WNBA. So something he's doing it working.

So I wanted to be a part of that, and I love the whole coaching staff and I love everything that the program stands for. So we just have some of the same values and morals. So that's why.

Q. For a lot of your career -- (indiscernible) was there anything -- feeling lax about being in the spotlight?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: No. No. I would say no.

Q. Besides being in the Final Four, what are you going to remember most from your college experience?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Definitely this year. Just all the adversity that we've been through, it's really like unbelievable, honestly. What I'm going to remember the most is this year and this group of girls and how we persevered and got to this point.

Q. What so special about it?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: The college experience and hard and fun at the same time. We have so many demands like in our sport but we also have demands in the classroom, and it's not an easy task but it's a cool experience.

Q. Obviously pressurized situation, but did that run through your mind, the magnitude of the moment or was it free throw as usual?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: What went through my mind before I got the ball was the Final Four or Elite 8 last year against Baylor last year when I missed those two free throws. I've been working hard since to step up to the plate and knock them down. I got to the free throw line and took my time and they went in.

It kind of went through my mind but not for long.

Q. Do you have a favorite pregame song?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: We love Daniela. She's been here for like majority, all of my years here at UCONN. She's such a great person and everything she has to go through, she handles it so well for just a young girl and it's really inspiring.

And my favorite pregame song, I don't have a specific song.

Q. We always say, remember this streak or that record or what-have-you, and every time for four years, you say, I'm not thinking about it, and we expect that. How do you not think about it?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Well, majority of the streaks and stuff will be on social media and I'm not on social media, like on Twitter and stuff right now. I won't be on it during the season. I don't see it so I don't think about it. So yeah, that's pretty much it.

Sometimes I'm just like, wow, I didn't know that, it's interesting, but no, it's okay, y'all can bring it up.

Q. Can you just explain what the purpose of that measure is -- if it's to help rehab going forward, when you started to do that and why you started to do that?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: I started doing that a couple weeks ago. It's just preventing and precautionary.

Q. (Indiscernible)?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: If they need to but as of right now, no.

Q. Is it better on your ankles and feet, all that stuff?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, precautionary.

Q. What other card games do you guys like to do for fun when you're hanging out as a group or in the team lounge or whatever?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: (Indiscernible) Jenga, Uno. But we just like to hang out, make jokes have fun.

Q. South Carolina presents different challenges, what's your mindset going into the game? Your previous game with them was in November, so do you think that will help your team tomorrow?

CHRISTYN WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure. We've watched film on that game today, actually. You can always learn from previous games. But we know it's going to be a dogfight tomorrow. And we played an athletic, long team yesterday so we know we're capable.

Just need to go out and play our game and have fun. Thirty minutes? Geez, that was long.