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

April 2, 2022

Brea Beal

Target Center

South Carolina Gamecocks

Finals Press Conference

Q. What makes a good defender? What's the one thing you have to have to be a great defender?

BREA BEAL: I think you have to have buy in, you have to be willing to give everything you got. You know, the rules of ball, just knowing the person you're guarding, you have to know it all. That's just buying into the way the team works.

Q. You played Paige Bueckers before in the Bahamas, I'm sure you'll have her again tomorrow. How much of a challenge is that?

BREA BEAL: I think, again, it's the same mentality you have to have every game. You have to know what she likes to do. What the team likes to do for her. The teammates like to do for her. It's just little details you have to have down.

Q. Brea, since you played UConn a lot of times past. What has changed since that game? I mean, is there anything from that game that you can take into this one?

BREA BEAL: I think our togetherness. I feel like we've gelled so much from the times we've played them and we know each other a lot better now. We play with each other a lot better now. I think that's one of the biggest things that's changed.

Q. Was there a point in your career when becoming, having that buy in on defense to [inaudible] and shooting for it?

BREA BEAL: I think, probably like, mid freshmen year, coach is like "you're good at this, let's keep doing this." And that's when like, the habit of me guarding some of the best scorers in the country came about. I think it just became something normal and that's just something I, it's become natural to me.

Q. Have you, over time [inaudible] can you sense the frustration sometimes? Of your, you guys have really [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Right, yeah. I definitely do. Because that's where you know the literal, the trash talking comes and I'm like "why are you talking?" I definitely feel the frustration. I just love to, just keep the ball rolling. I definitely do feel it a lot.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Just being, I say having dog mentality. Just you know, going out there and when you're all out there, giving, giving that offensive player your best effort. Giving the team your best effort.

Q. What in specific [inaudible] for your program? How do you tend to think about full defense plays for the team?

BREA BEAL: I think it's just parts of the puzzle. We all give and put into that puzzle to make it a whole. I think especially with post dominance, blocking down the pain, making sure we don't get pain touches for them and definitely our perimeter guards being better than their perimeter guards. That's something we harp on a lot. I think those are two big factors for us.

Q. [Inaudible]. From your perspective. Played in national championships, almost every year. What's your take on that? And two, does it kind of make you feel more like the biggest game of the year, knowing that [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I definitely think the first time we ever played in my collegiate career, it was like an eye opener to me. Growing up, it was always like Juno, Juno, Juno. And it was amazing to watch UConn play, but dang, now I'm that team. That's what it feels like now. I'm living that. So, it's something that I've grown into and grown with and just became part of.

So, it's like, in a sense, I'm used to it and this is regular mode of life.

Q. [Inaudible]. National championships. What have you gauged from the content base, just a conversation and that cycle.

BREA BEAL: I definitely feel like the history behind it all. Years later, we still go on history. The fans never forget, they never let us forget. Definitely feel that there's like, new year, new generation, so, it's definitely going to be a fun game to watch.

Q. Talking a little more about Paige. Stumbled a little bit yesterday, how are you thinking about taking advantage of that? Maybe that weakness tomorrow, how are you going manage?

BREA BEAL: I think, definitely, when it comes to someone like Paige, no matter what, she's going to go out there. I think the adrenaline and stuff will shield her from that. I definitely think we're going to get her best game she played all season, for sure.

Q. Have you guys ever think about South Carolina [inaudible]? They're talking about defensive dynasty.

BREA BEAL: I think, not necessarily because like, for us as a team, we like to build our own, stand on our own legs. When she first got here, it wasn't all rainbows and stuff. I think, just looking back on that and how she built a great community, a great place, I think just having our own legacy and building that for us was key.

Q. What does recognizing you're a great defender, it doesn't always come with hardware. Does that bother you?

BREA BEAL: Freshman year, coming out of high school, I was so used to all the little hardware, I'd say, but over time it was bigger than that. I realize it's bigger than that. You're playing for something, you're playing for a community, a team, coaches, that's the biggest thing for me, besides awards and trophies and stuff.

Q. Awhile ago, the SEC coach of the year, they mentioned you want to break off part of the hardware, put it to use because you weren't recognized. What's that mean to you?

BREA BEAL: I think it's meant a lot because she definitely just tells me how much like, she appreciates me and how big of a role I play on this team. I think that, that means so much to me.

Q. What do you think it'll take to get the job done?

BREA BEAL: I think just continuing to stick with one another. Continuing to play based off one another. Listen to the coach, stay disciplined and continue to play the game we've been playing all season long.

Q. I just talked to [inaudible]. I just talked to [inaudible] and she said you and your impact on the team. I was wondering what you thought might be [inaudible] about the teams?

BREA BEAL: I throw it back on her, I think, everybody plays a part in diving on the court and doing the little things that nobody notices. I think between us both, we definitely, we may not have a big impact on the offensive side, but we know when it comes to tangible things, we have to harp down on that. And defensively, we have to be subs and I think, again, putting it back on her, that's a game changer, I'd say.

Q. All right thank you, congratulations.

BREA BEAL: Thank you.

Q. [Inaudible]. Pretty good at defense. What does that mean to you [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think, definitely, it comes with a lot of film time. Believe it or not we, I actually watch I've learned so much about football and I've like, I watched him and his mentality and the heart he has. I learned I definitely tell him, he encouraged me a lot. As far as going out there and playing the game and playing what I've done for so many years. No need to be nervous, go out there, this is what you're good at, you're here for a reason.

I think it came with a lot of just encouragement.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Yeah, I think, definitely, for me, just watching him is more of a mental thing. Watching him prepare. He's, he was disciplined to a point where he's going to bed at a certain time, you know? Off the phone at a certain time. Eating certain things. Just watching him and learning from that, if you want to be the best, you have to dedicate yourself to be the best.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Yeah. He, he definitely says he feels like he's the one playing out there. Yeah, he's been going to bed early, still, but he's been chilling and just being encouraging.

Q. What's one of the things that [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think with any team we play, if we don't hit first, they're definitely going to hit us first and then we have to defend the runs. Especially if she gets into the grove, we have to defend that. If it's early, we have to defend that all game. That's one of the things we have to start with.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think I harp on it a lot. I think just come together, like, you know, throughout all those games and you know, the bumps in the road. I feel like we gel together a lot more now. We learned together now. Especially with the freshmen coming in. They learned our game, we learned their game, we're able to balance one another with that.

Q. What does it mean for [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Yeah, I definitely think, especially with all the fans, you know, let's you know the history behind it. I think, it's kind of crazy to look back. As a freshman, it was kind of crazy playing UConn. It was like "this is UConn, oh my gosh." But now we've built our own, our own... I don't even know what to say. We built our own legacy, kind of. Watching Dawn turn the program from something that's not so good to something that's great.

So, I think it's just going to be a great game to watch between two powerhouses.

Q. [Inaudible].

BREA BEAL: Right. I think you know, playing the tough schedule we played, I feel like that was the biggest thing for us. Playing those hard games and playing the Stanford early in the season, playing NC State first game of the season. I think games like those, definitely prepared us for now, you know, made us learn or forced to us learn more about one another.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Right, I think, definitely, it's always a transition game. There are highly their field goal percentage and transition is crazy through the roof. That's one of the biggest things in this game.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think, again, it's just coming with sitting back and watching them, being on the floor with them, learning them, what they love to do offensively, what they'd love for teammates to do for them offensively. It's just a game of watching practice film, watching game film and watching, just, you know, being a student of the game. Being able to study.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think it's going to take every individual, even coming off the bench to buy in and understand like, no matter who your guard, you have to know personnel, what they love to do the most, what they don't really like to do, what do they shy away from? I think every person, especially like I just said, coming off the bench has to buy in and know what's going on offensively and defensively.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think just, for us to understand, it's not going to be easy to beat a team twice. Again, the team has an opportunity to rush and scout and make changes and just prepare for, to play us again. It's definitely not going to be easy. Especially being a championship game. Everybody's going to give their all or go home, literally, I think we both have to be prepared.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think it's just crazy being out here and just seeing where I've come from. It's cool being here again, kind of feeling the weather again. I kind of missed it a little bit. Kind of got tired of really hot weather. But it feels good being out here.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think the biggest thing for us is being able to band just have fun and laugh and joke about things. I think that's really a game changer as well. You're getting to know someone. Like, heart to heart type of thing. When you're on the court, it's just like a sister relationship. You just trust one another.

I think that was really one of the biggest things for us.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Yeah. I definitely think, as a team, we definitely let her know, we need to feel that love back, feel that intensity back. If you need to yell at us, in our face, go ahead. That stuff like that gets us going, gets us motivated. Pushing. Like we're all on one page, we had one goal that day. I felt like every single person.

I tell a lot of people I actually don't listen to music. It's kind of crazy. You see everybody on the bus listening and vibing to music and I'm just staring out the window looking at people as they pass.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think, for me, I have to really, just maintain, you know, a steady boat. You get too worked up, then the boat starts rocking. I like to just stay in a mellow mood, I'd say.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Mm hmm, right, yeah.

Q. What's this mean for you?

BREA BEAL: I think, for me, she'd just break down, especially offensively. A lot of people notice that, when it comes to offense, we move through Aliyah. I'm more so on the defensive side. And she was just, she'll give me points as far as offensively, what can I do and I feel like this season, I've definitely pinpointed it, when I could and took those opportunities.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Yeah, I think, definitely, when it came to committee here, I'd say she gave the honest truth. I felt that, compared to any other coach, she was giving us the highs and the lows, straight up. It wasn't just a "oh this is going to happen for you." It was a "it comes with this" type of thing and I respected that from her.

Q. [Inaudible] take certain pride [inaudible]. People think of you first.

BREA BEAL: I definitely, compared to freshman year, I was like "I'm not just defense." But now I can balance it easily if I really focus in on it. Definitely, I do take pride in it because having to guard high volume shooter, high volume scorer, having to guard them and realizing, that's like, majority of the team's heart right there. When they do tend to have a bad game or slow game, I do take pride in that.

Q. [Inaudible].

BREA BEAL: I think, I'm a firm believer that the game is changing and that as time goes on, it will change. I do, I do have a realistic view as well, too, it's changing, but going to take awhile. I do feel like, it'll take a little while for things to get moving and get pushing, I do feel like, especially now, generations to come, especially when it comes to social media and the way people are branding themselves, I feel like, you know, it's changing. People are starting to gain more engagement, especially with media and the outside world.

So, it's changing, but it's going to take a little time.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Right. Yeah, I think it took me back, just reading that, it gave me chills. Because like, dang, I'm living the life I wanted to live, even though I haven't officially won anything yet, but I got to this point and where I come from not many people can make it to this point. I think it was just a realization that I had courage in myself when I was in like 7th grade. It's crazy to think about. I'm extremely grateful to be sitting here.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I'd say like, you're right to believe in yourself. Thank you for believing in yourself because especially times now, it's up and down, up and down, you do have times where you doubt yourself. I needed that, I'd say, just looking at that, I was young and I really believed in myself and I'd say, I thank myself a lot.

Q. Brea, the two biggest hours of the game right now are tomorrow and the national championship. This is literally what you played for all season, right? What are you feeling right now?

BREA BEAL: I think, really, again, just trying to stay level headed. Just continuing to play our game. If we get too worked out, we go out there you know, kind of loose with the ball. Just little things, I see, that affect us. So, I think it's just amazing and humbling to be here, I'd say and just shows how hard we work to get to this point.

Q. What would it mean to take down [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think it'd definitely show how well we work together. This is the second time we're playing them, so it's not going to be as easy or as we felt the first time. Definitely going to come with a new game plan. I think it'll just show how well we work together and how much we changed throughout the season.

Q. Is it possible to [inaudible] because you know each other so well. Players of the year. Is it possible to step back and see what kind of situation you had?

BREA BEAL: Definitely, I think, again, I'd say it's probably more of a freshman thing where you sit back and be like "wow." I think that's probably what our freshman are doing now. But I think our upperclassmen are looking at it as like another, a game. We're all here for one thing and I think that's what majority of us are looking at right now.

Q. What do you think of Aliyah's all around game? You know, obviously she scores rebounds and blitzes, last night [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think that we need that from her every single game and if she starts out slow, we gotta get into her and be like "we need more from you, we need more from you." I think that's the main reason why we, you know, came so far. Her being dominating, continuing to be dominating. It's great for us.

Q. [Inaudible] seeing on campus, walking around, even ColumbiBREA BEAL:

BREA BEAL: She probably gets stopped every single time. Oh my gosh. But it's just amazing to see, you know, how together, like how together the community is, you know, everybody loves us and stops us every single time in the store. They can't wait to tell Dawn what candy we're buying.

You know, it's amazing to see the love she's getting. Yeah, just, you can spot her from a mile away, the hair, everything. Yeah.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think, for, just watching her, I think, just seeing her speak up and not be afraid to speak up, because you see it almost, she gets a lot of stuff thrown at her. A lot of people say reckless things. I think for her to still have the courage to continue to speak up, continue to be a leader, especially as a woman of color, it's amazing to watch. Especially for young girls at our game, they're sitting there and watching it. It's just, they're, they're reciprocating what she's doing. It's just, it's chilling to see. These girls are having courage in themselves because of this woman right here and because of the team she leads, that's the majority of women of color.

I think it's just so amazing.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think, really, having courage. Because before college, I was so shy. Like, if something was wrong, I probably wouldn't even speak about it. I wouldn't stand up or anything. I think, I learned that from her. Just to be able to you know, through adversity, speak up and stand on what you truly believe in. No matter the outcome of what somebody else may say about it.

So, I think that's the biggest thing I've learned.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think again, it's like every single game, having the mentality, no matter who you're guarding, really just have the mindset of, you have to buy in, you have to lock in, you have to understand what you're doing. You have to know their personality and give your all.

Q. [Inaudible] modern day basketball [inaudible]. What's that identity? What does that mean to you?

BREA BEAL: We have to continue, you know, well, put the pieces to the puzzle on defense. Make sure everybody's putting in their part and everybody's diving on the floor, loose balls, tangible things, everybody has to buy in and give in to have leeway on the defensive end.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think, we all want it for them. Since our freshmen year, when that chance was taken away from us and especially last year, we didn't have a chip on our shoulder. We want it bad for them. They worked so hard. I'm surprised V doesn't have broken bones by now, but we definitely want it for them. They worked so hard this whole season, you know, since we've been in college, they they put their all and paved the way for us and we followed right behind them.

We really want it for them. I think just, giving your all every single game. I've learned that we could play the worst opponent in the country, but we still have to go out there, we're a brand, we're a walking brands, we have to show them that we're strong women, we're encouraged to play the right play every single game, be the best us we can be every single game.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think I just see it in the less social activity, I'd say. The less, you know, not even necessarily parties, but just going out and going to eat or something. We're more like, stay at home old ladies type of thing. I think just seeing us give more to the game, watch more film, stay after at practice, shoot whether it's free throws or layups. Just staying after, shooting more, studying more. I see it in all of us juniors because of how much we've grown to love it and how important it is to us now.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think just hearing her in like, just how she, she talks about basketball and you know, things she's overcome for basketball. You have to give in everything to be the best. She definitely relays that to us and let's us know, you have to give some things in order to be on top. Definitely with juniors and seniors, we learned that, you know, what's worth more than getting a championship?

So, I think that's one of the biggest signs of growth, right there.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think just the maturity, the maturity level. How focused we are on the court. Every time we go into practice, we learn where to turn off and turn it on as far as like the joke and laughing and stuff. Every game, we realize that everybody's going to come for us.

So, I think throughout those years, we definitely learned that and learned, we have to take advantage of every single moment we have.

Q. You probably heard (?), what did you think about the previous meeting?

BREA BEAL: I think well, again, we had so much time to grow and to learn and to look back on that and again, they've done the same. They're not the same team. Being able to grow more as a team and learn about each other more and her being able to see different things we can adjust, I think those are a couple things we'd change.

Q. Her court, do you guys (?) play on the opponents arena?

BREA BEAL: Definitely. I feel like we do. We have such a strong fan base, they follow us anywhere. Even being in an opponent's crowd, we still hear them, it still gets us going.

Q. [Inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think me and her, we just have an understanding, not necessarily like, where shaking up a hug and all in practice, we just have an understanding that you know, she trust in me, she believes in me. I believe in her and trust in her for putting me in a position to succeed and telling me what I'm best at, and great at. We have a solid relationship, especially with trust, that's what you need the most in times like this.

Q. [Inaudible]. What do you think [inaudible]?

BREA BEAL: I think they definitely make us understand one another, I'd say, like, they make us really see our priorities, set our priorities straight. Especially for those who may be upset with playing time or just any little thing they're upset about. Realizing the big goals for everyone, not just one particular person. We appreciate them. They have us do exercises, it's a deeper meaning than we're seeing. They definitely break that down for us.