NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - GONZAGA VS OLE MISS

March 16, 2023

Angel Baker

Myah Taylor

Maples Pavilion

Ole Miss Rebels

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions for the student-athletes.

Q. When you're playing at your best, what's the style we can expect from your team?

MYAH TAYLOR: When we're at our best we run, share the ball, and rebound. So I think that's pretty straight forward.

ANGEL BAKER: I would like to add to that. We, defend and that's the main focal point for us. We dictate and we disrupt.

Q. Talking about defense, Zags are the best three-point shooting team in the country, but also some threats down low. What has been the focus defensively prepping for this?

MYAH TAYLOR: Gonzaga is a very good team. We know we'll have to bring our best game, and we're just going to stay focused in on the game plan. We just trust that whatever the coachs' game plan they have for us, that we follow through with it.

Q. Yo was talking a couple days ago about how you wanted this to be a business trip. Does this year's trip and everything feel different than it did last year?

ANGEL BAKER: Absolutely. I feel like this year we have a little more experience. We know what to expect.

But it's always a business trip.

Q. What are sort of your first impressions of the venue and just Stanford? I don't know if either of you have been on this campus before. Preliminary thoughts on Gonzaga and the power program they've been on the west coast in their conference?

ANGEL BAKER: I haven't really -- we haven't really had time to see the campus, but thoughts on Gonzaga is like Myah said, they're a pretty good team. We just focus on Ole Miss and Ole Miss basketball.

MYAH TAYLOR: Just going off what she's saying, they're a really established program, and like I said, we know we're going to have to bring our best game.

As long as we focus on the Ole Miss way, share the ball, things like that, I think we put ourselves in a great position.

Q. And Myah, Angel just spoke about experience. What maybe is the biggest growth for this group since March a year ago?

MYAH TAYLOR: I would probably say leadership from everyone throughout the team. We all have our roles and we all know what they are, but I think everyone on this team, including the staff, brings some type of leadership, experience, so I think that's been really big for us.

Q. For either player, can you talk about Gonzaga being an established program and you guys have kind of come back. What's been that journey like as far as two years ago you didn't win a conference game, I believe, and now you guys are back-to-back NCAA teams. What's been that ingredient for that growth?

ANGEL BAKER: I feel like our leader, Coach Yo. But also just everybody buying into their role, knowing what the coaches ask from us, and not taking it for granted or like belittle it, whatever it is. From 1 through 15, everybody's role is important, so just buying into that.

For me being a transfer I've watched Coach Yo and Ole Miss from afar. I'm from Mississippi, so been very familiar with the program at Ole Miss, and the things that Coach Yo has been able to do in the five years she's been here is phenomenal. That goes to show the hard work she puts in and her staff and the team as well.

I'm thankful to be a part of that this year.

Q. As you know, SEC is sending seven teams to the tournament and you guys finished third in one of the best conferences. How has that prepared you for this moment?

MYAH TAYLOR: Yeah, I just feel like all the games that we've had in the SEC have been a battle. I feel like the talent that's in the SEC as well is just phenomenal. I think each game we got a little better, learned a lot of different things.

I guess kind of just seeing our weaknesses in some spots and being able to agree from that to get ready for this moment now.

Q. Someone mentioned it a little bit earlier about how good of a three-point shooting team Gonzaga is. You guys defend the three as well as anybody in the country, in the top 10. Is it exciting to know this is a strength on strength matchup?

ANGEL BAKER: Absolutely. I feel like ya'll talked a lot about Gonzaga's three-point ability, but you can talk more about Ole Miss defense for sure.

MYAH TAYLOR: Yep. Second what she said.

Q. Who is someone not on the podium right now that we should look out for tomorrow in the game?

ANGEL BAKER: I got a couple I can name. Madison Scott, Marquesha Davis, Rita Igbokwe. That's who I got off.

MYAH TAYLOR: Just to add to what she said, I think the list goes on. Coach talks about us being a super team and then just everybody -- it could be anybody's night which makes us dangerous.

I just feel like as long as we come out and play together, I think they should keep an eye on all of us. That's just what it is.

ANGEL BAKER: Good call, good call.

Q. Who's the toughest player on your team to guard and who's the toughest to beat when they're guarding you?

MYAH TAYLOR: Angel a bucket getter. I'm sure you all heard that. She's definitely very hard to guard.

And then Madison Scott. She's was SEC defensive team. Her athleticism and length and how hard she is works makes it very hard on the offensive player.

You going to say the same?

ANGEL BAKER: I do. Marquesha Davis a bucket.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you Angel and Myah. Good luck tomorrow.

MYAH TAYLOR: Thank you.

ANGEL BAKER: Thank you.