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

April 2, 2022

Olivia Nelson-Ododo

Target Center

UConn Huskies

Finals Press Conference

Q. (Off microphone)?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think it's been emotional for him, of course, just as much as it has been for us. I think he has been our constant this entire season. Just even when we were at our lowest of lows just continuing to push us, and just not go easy on us we got out of whatever we were dealing.

Q. (Off microphone) -- against Aliyah Boston and what you have to do to kind of contain her?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: She's going to be super physical. They look to get the ball into her almost every possession, and so that's something that not only Aaliyah Edwards and I will have to defend, but it's just going to be a team effort.

Q. (Off microphone).

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think especially I keep kind of going back to the UCF game. I think that was probably one of the most physical games of the whole year that we played. Especially to see that so early on in the tournament I think will definitely help.

Q. The way you responded in the post against Stanford, I think a lot of people felt that they had a big advantage there. You guys were there when the game turned. What kind of confidence do you get from that going into the rematch against South Carolina?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think we get a lot of confidence from that, but I think especially if we just continue to stay out of foul trouble and limit things like that, it will definitely help us.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: For sure. It's kind of like coming full circle. We had saw them at the very, very beginning of the year. We went through our adversity and what not, and we're back at this point. To me it's kind of full circle, but we're definitely enjoying the moment, but also just preparing and getting ready to lock in.

Q. Olivia, this team has come such a long way from that match-up that you just referenced in the Bahamas, but are there any tangible things that you think you guys, specifically the core players, learned from this big moment?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think just increasing our physicality. Like I said before, foul trouble is going to be a big thing for us. Just staying out of foul trouble, limiting what we're doing in that sense, but just playing smart defense. I think not only us posts, but just the entire team.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: E steps up in the biggest moments. We can count on her for that. She comes through, and I think she thrives in those big moments. You can see that last night. Especially I think she had at least -- I know she had two threes. Three threes, I believe? Yeah, three threes in crucial times and then coming up huge on some blocks and her defense. She was all over the place, and that's exactly what we needed yesterday. It was just a huge contribution from her so she was great.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: There were times where we played with six people. We had five people practices. This is winter break. Just even outside things like just our bus issues. Just little stuff like that.

But I think through it all he really just maintained, like I said, that constant. Just pushing us. I think that was the biggest thing. Just not having somebody that encouraged us to feel sorry for ourselves or to just to stay in that slump, but just somebody that continued to push us through it.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I mean, there were times he would talk to us. I think that was the biggest thing where we would just listen about what we're going through and to just keep going. I think that was the biggest message. We would see glimpses of our team and what we could do at certain times, but just to keep going was the biggest thing, and I think it really panned out well somehow. Yeah.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: When they were?

Q. Yeah, when he talked to you.

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: It was throughout the season before practices, after practices, after games, before games. Just any time he was talking to us as a team, we were listening.

Q. Obviously, you've been here before. (Off microphone) What have you learned from your visits to the Final Four. What kind of things are you telling the younger players just about what it takes to win?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I would say it's a fine line between being in the moment, enjoying it, and also just knowing when you have to work, and I think this team has really, compared to even last year, has done a really good job at kind of balancing that.

I mean, the teams that are here are here for a reason too, and they're good teams. That's something that we can't take lightly, and especially it being the very last game of the season, people are going to leave everything out on the floor, and so we just have to be ready for that.

Q. (Off microphone). How big is that for you guys?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: That's great. It's been a very rough week for her. I can only imagine what she's going through, but just for her to be able to come out here, and I know -- it was uncomfortable too. Her being on the flight, just out of surgery, everything. She's a soldier. She got through that and came up here and was able to see us and come support us, and that means the world to us because she really didn't have to. We're thankful we can be here with her, and we're just hoping the best with her recovery.

Q. (Off microphone) -- knowing this is also where you ended up. What was maybe the most challenging moment, either I don't know if you want to say --

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I would say I think most people on my team can kind of attest to this, but just like I would say right after Paige got hurt, just having to adjust to that and probably just January.

So December and January were one of the toughest months I think I ever faced here in terms of just having to adjust with really playing with six, seven people. You never know who is going to be out, who is going to be in. Then even going through practices with five people, right? It was normal practices. That was something Coach, he never let up on us about. Just having to go through all of that and kind of really figuring out our roles and what we would have to bring to the table I think was definitely a challenging part for us.

Q. (Off microphone) -- needing to adjust. Not just the physical demands, but emotionally. How did you try to stay level knowing that there was a whole season in front of you too. Players were going to get back. Was it hard in the moment to recognize that, or could you kind of see that perspective?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Definitely, it was hard in the moment to recognize that, but like I said before, we would see glimpses of our normal team kind of coming back or flashes of us doing really good things together and things kind of clicking. I think that's kind of what made us or helped us stay motivated and in terms of coaches continue to push us.

Q. Was there a moment where you guys kind of felt like, all right, we're back, like this is what we kind of felt would be the -- where you finally got over that and it was like --

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I would say probably a few games before the Big East Tournament. I think we were playing Georgetown. I remember that game specifically. A few other games. We were kind of like blowing them out by 30, 40. Okay. Kind of getting back a little bit to the old day. Yeah, yeah.

And then recognizing that she was doing well in her recovery and we could see her progression really motivated us too because she worked her ass off to get back, and you can see that every day in practice and her workouts, her rehab. We were just seeing that as a team. That was motivating too.

Q. (Off microphone) -- all the way through, which is kind of standard. Was that liberating at all in a way to have the spotlight deflected at least a little bit away from you guys?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I don't know if it was liberating, but I think it definitely pushed us to step out of our comfort zones and realize if we wanted to win the games that we were supposed to, we really had to grind it out and figure it out. It wasn't going to be the typical 30, 40 point UConn blow-outs from the past. It was something every game we had to grind out or else we have a chance of losing. I think that was kind of the extra challenge for us that a lot of people -- I think our entire team stepped up for.

Q. How much different is UConn -- (off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I would say for our team just kind of figuring out our roles better and things kind of clicking into place a lot better. I think our chemistry is a lot better in terms of -- I mean, this is one of the few times we've been able to play as a full team since that period in the Bahamas.

In terms of South Carolina, as the season has progressed, I know they've gotten better just in terms of their own chemistry. You can see that when they play. I think that's one of the biggest things that we've noticed.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: She's strong and physical in the post and very fundamental, so I think that's something not only us post players have to guard, but just as a team in general.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Aaliyah is everywhere. She does her best just to make an impact wherever she's needed. It's not always about points. She's always crashing the boards, getting offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, getting steals, drawing charges. It's the little things that have made the difference in these games.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think in terms of this tournament we both had to deal with a lot of foul trouble, so just realizing that we can't make any dumb plays or any more things that could jeopardize us coming out of the game is really important and just trying to stay focused on staying in the game and staying locked in in terms of not fouling.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: After all of it, we all definitely did get some sleep. It was an exciting time for us last night. Once we got back to the hotel, we saw friends, family, what not, and it was just nice to enjoy that moment with them.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Yes. After we had to beg for it, yes. Absolutely. Yeah, it was a good time for us last night, and it was just -- like I said before, it was a good moment, especially to share once we got back with our friends and family.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: It means a lot. I know a lot of people definitely didn't expect us to get to this point. Especially the way our season has been. I think that's kind of the most fulfilling fact about it. Like you said before, we're still not done. We still have work to do. I think that's the exciting part too about it.

Q. (Off microphone) -- are you better being reminiscent, or are you just focused on the final?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: There are times I think it's, like, wow, the realization hits me that it's my last game. Like I said before, we still have work to do, and if I had a last game to play in, this would be absolutely the last game, so I'm just very excited and glad that this is going to be my last game and we're in this position all together.

Q. (Off microphone) -- talk about the challenge Aliyah Boston presents to you tonight and how do you overcome that.

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Big, physical strong post. Definitely knows how to use her body, and she is skilled. That presents a challenge in terms of us just especially staying out of foul trouble. I think that's going to be key for us. Especially me and Aaliyah Edwards tomorrow night.

Q. Last night it was a bit of a struggle offensively, but you were great on the boards. Then you hit that top of the key late in the third from high low. -- how much confidence did that give you just making that shot and knowing what you needed to do --

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think it definitely helps when you see the ball go in. I think that's a big thing for players too, and yesterday I think that definitely helped in terms of just kind of getting back on track with things.

I'm proud of my team just in the way that we were able to keep fighting even when shots weren't going in. At least we were getting those shots and we were taking those opportunities, and they'll fall, but I was just proud of my team in terms of the way we kept pushing through.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Absolutely. I feel like our team is very balanced in terms of everybody contributing, and I think that's one of the greatest things about our team is just it's not one individual, but everybody else is just producing and doing little things that help us win.

Q. (Off microphone) -- I'm curious what you have -- it sort of looked like she was having issues with confidence. How from your vantage point has she turned it around?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Her confidence has been huge. A major growth this entire season. I'm thinking back to even the Bahamas to now, it's not even the same player. I'm proud of her and the way she was able to overcome things because it's definitely not easy.

Especially in this program to really get back on your feet like that and so I'm just proud of her growth and the way she's been able to handle situations like that and even just come out and play her game and contribute as much as she does.

Q. (Off microphone) -- I'm curious how your development from freshman year has powered your success to get here?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Thinking back to my freshman year self, it's definitely not the same person, same player. None of that. I think it's in terms of physicality, especially this season I've really tried to embrace that and maybe a little too much in this tournament, but definitely been trying to embrace that as much as possible and just trying to do my best in terms of handling myself and my position down there.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I would say this is just a very special group, and I was fortunate. We had most of the same people from last year and then come back this year, so I think that helps a lot with our chemistry and just knowing each other's playing styles.

I think that's something that I have never had my freshman and sophomore year, so just being able to be consistent with the same people, same group of people I think that definitely helps us for this year.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I think because people just had to play different positions, kind of figure out things in different roles, and I think that really helped people kind of step out of their comfort zone and have to adapt to new things, and I think that just has carried on even into postseason even when we have people back, so I think that's something that has in a way really helped us this season.

Q. (Off microphone) -- after losing to South Carolina in the Bahamas, what's that four months been like, and how are you different now than you guys were then?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I despite the adversity we're definitely a more mature team. I think we kind of understand our roles, embrace our roles, and I feel like everything has been clicking into place, especially in postseason.

Q. Coach said after that South Carolina was maybe the only time that he went back to the Geno of 15 years ago where he was just incredibly hard on you guys and that some people embraced it, some didn't. What were those four or five practices like, and how do you think the team responded?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Those were definitely the hardest practices I'd ever had here, but I think it really -- it helped us in the long run when I look back on it just in terms of how hard it was, how taxing it was mentally and physically, and he kicked our ass that entire whole week.

Yeah, we'll definitely never forget that. Overall, it did help us in terms of just realizing this isn't going to be easy. This isn't going to be an easy season. I think it was before Paige's injury. The whole team was there. That was just something that you couldn't even -- you didn't even have time to think about when you were practicing.

You were on autopilot just grinding everything out with your teammates. I think that was kind of the best part about it is just everybody -- those practices and that entire week were just grinding everything out, and I think that kind of helped with our bond and our own chemistry just realizing that we went through something like that together.

Q. Lastly, he said that regardless of whether or not you guys win tomorrow, because you've fought through so much to get here and won that national semifinal game that this season is a success whether you win or lose tomorrow.

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: He said that?

Q. A couple of players did not agree. Did you need to win the title to have a successful season? Is that the UConn standard?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Yes, absolutely. We came this far. We're not going to be -- I'm not going to be happy with losing. I'm not going to be acceptable with that, and to me that's the standard here. I know that's the standard for my other teammates too, so I'll make sure he said that. For us that's the standard. We came here to finish that job.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I would say just the expectation. I mean, physically it was hard practices for sure, but just expectations that we had to do practice, it was just -- I'm trying to remember. Sometimes you just kind of blank out with something like that.

We finished practice, and we were all in the cold tub, hot tub. That was mandatory after. We were just reflecting, this is crazy. We're going to get through it, and I think that was one of the first moments in the season where we were like just kind of collectively like we'll be all right. Dang, this is hard, but we'll get through it.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I didn't know they were doing this until this morning, but I think that's pretty cool that they can see what's going on and see us at practice and stuff. I know that's exciting for them just to he so a I understand had the scenes.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Daniela, she's like a little ball of energy. She's so fun. I've known her since my freshman year, and she comes from a great, wonderful family. Her parents are great, and any time we them it's fun. She's always dancing. Her favorite thing is just to dance and to twirl around. We love watching her do that and just seeing her have her own little performances in front of us. She's amazing. Like I said before, she comes from an amazing family too, and so we're all so thankful to have that relationship with her.

Q. Do you have a favorite pregame song?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: This season I actually haven't listened to music like that before games, so I really don't have a favorite. Yeah, just, yeah, talking.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: It means everything. It's great support especially from the alumni and even me getting to play with Lou and Phee and is great seeing them back and stuff. Also just like for us being able to follow their pro careers and them coming back and supporting which just means a lot.

Q. After a lot of games a lot of players come out wearing boots on their feet, training boots. Is that something your medical staff uses or something that's kind of a way to help your rehab or to help prepare you for the next game?

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: I personally have not worn a boot like that this season, so I'm not sure what goes into effect with that. I haven't asked my teammates about it, but that's as much as I know with it.

Q. What do you remember about some of the practices after the South Carolina loss? What they consisted of, how difficult they were, how hard they were on you and the people because they were the toughest moments you've had in practices.

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: In terms of practice definitely one of the toughest moments of the season. It was just really taxing physically, mentally. A lot of demands put on us. A lot of expectations to get better, and a lot of our coaches just pushing us. I think that was the biggest thing especially after a loss like that.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: It means a lot just to be able to play at a program like this is an incredible opportunity that a lot of people don't get to experience, so when I look back on my four years I definitely don't take this for granted.

I think this is one of the best places to develop, especially as a person off the court, and I have seen that in myself in terms of my growth and maturity, and I think that's one of the things I'm most proud of in myself. It's just being able to grow up and really accept a program that pushes you like this.

Q. (Off microphone) -- was it just like you knew, okay -- you didn't get flustered or anything? You were, like, okay, let's do what we need to do? Do you feel like you were able to do that because of the group that you have --

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Absolutely. I think if my younger self, I kind of experienced a moment like that, I think I definitely would have been flustered or just kind of stayed out of the game and not lock into the game, but I think in that moment and him just kind of snapping us back into it, like, come on, you need to do something or you need to get involved, I think in terms of just the way I did handle that is definitely growth, and I think it speaks volumes to my younger self too. Just kind of looking back on it.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: That thought about not going back in didn't cross my mind. It was about staying ready and being prepared because you never know especially in games like that, you know, when he is going to need somebody, when he is going to pop back on somebody.

I think even when players, especially on this team, we head to the bench, we sit down, it's not about why is he taking me out? When am I going to go back in? Be ready for the next moment. Be ready for the next moment. I think we actually do a really good job at that.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Just little things. There are so many, I guess, moments that I can speak to, but, yeah, bus breaking down, our plane landing an hour and a half away from Bradley, having to bus there back home and getting there at 8:00 in the morning. It was like a string of little -- Christyn being left behind in Oregon for a week. Just crazy circumstances that you wouldn't even imagine or I've never seen in my four years.

But I think when we all look back on it, things like that happen for a reason. That's my philosophy. We're able to overcome it. Honestly we don't think too much about it now, but it was like those little things. We were, like, oh, my God.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Here and there. I think the way we talk about it is just, like, wow. I wouldn't say we go into specifics, but just kind of looking at each other like, wow. We just understand. We don't really have to talk about those stories or anything right now. It's kind of understood between us. I think that's really the big part about it.

Q. (Off microphone)

OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA: Definitely excitement, but I would say there's a fine line between excitement and just having to prepare and lock in, and so like myself and the rest of my teammates, we're super excited to be at this point, and we just can't really -- we're trying not to get caught up in, oh, we're here. We made it this far. We still have work to do. We still have a job to do.