NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - FLORIDA GULF COAST VS WASHINGTON STATE

March 17, 2023

Karl Smesko

Tishara Morehouse

Sha Carter

Finneran Pavilion

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up to questions for either of the student-athletes.

Q. Tk, you've been here multiple times. What kind of leadership and veteran presence does that help for you, and what can you add to this team for tomorrow's big game?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: Just come into the game knowing the game plan. Tenacity. Just a lot of tenacity. We know we're playing a great team, so if we come together, play a great pace, I believe we can get another dub.

Q. Sha, you started your career at the D-II level, and now you are playing in a Division I NCAA Tournament game. Has that hit you yet, and what is this experience like?

SHA CARTER: I think it actually just hit me as we were walking to the locker room and then seeing the courts and things like that.

I am unexplainably excited. I love my team. My coaches are phenomenal. So this is definitely one of those kind of dream-come-true moments, fairy tale kind of stories, and I can't wait for tomorrow.

Q. Tk, are there any extra nerves going into tomorrow's game compared to the regular season and everything you've been through this year?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: Well, we've been preparing the same, doing everything the same. It feels the same, other than the name of March Madness. But just knowing like this is my last run, it just feels amazing.

Q. Sha, have you guys -- obviously, it was on the men's side, and this was before either of you got to FGCU, but there is history here in the city of Philadelphia with FGCU in the postseason. Has Coach talked about that and have you had any conversations about that history?

SHA CARTER: We haven't gone truly in depth about it, but I know there's a little magical-ness in this arena for us, and even last year how we were the 12 seed before and then just making that impactful run.

So there's definitely a little Cinderella-ness around us. But we're excited. He hasn't mentioned it too much because we like to create our own stories and each year is something different. But this is our year to make a push for a lot of great things.

Q. Tk, with Washington State, you obviously don't want to give too much away, but what does the early scouting report look like, and what do you think you guys need to do in order to come out with a victory?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: Like I said before, just coming in, playing with our pace, FGCU basketball, but really no comment on that.

Q. Respect that. Sha, from a basketball standpoint, again, same kind of question, you don't want to give away X's and O's, but specifically going into this game, what do you think you need to see out of your teammates and yourself in order to get the win?

SHA CARTER: This game, it's going to be tough. They're a great team. We're a great team as well. I think there will have to be a lot of mental toughness.

Basketball is a game of runs, so we have to continue to stick together when things go great, when things go bad.

So I think that's going to be our biggest thing of coming together and making sure that we stay combined as a unit and just make sure we represent FGCU and the ASUN very well.

Q. How has this trip kind of differed from other -- in a regular season, you go out and you play a game, you come back home, and you go to class. This seems like it might be a little more. How is just the preparation going into this week, and this entire brighter lights, you got March Madness logo right behind you, how has this whole trip been different for you?

SHA CARTER: Kind of like Tk said, everything for us, we try to remind ourselves it's another game, of course it's a little more pressure because it's win or go home. But we just stick to who we are and our principles and everything that we do.

So definitely making sure and understanding that the game plan and the nitty-gritty details that we talk about just are much more prominent. So when we practice, just overemphasizing everything, making sure we're staying together, staying combined, staying locked in. Just ready to go.

And the bright lights and the big stage, like these are those opportunities that a lot of teams and a lot of girls wish to have. So we're just grateful, obviously, that we made it to this point but understand that it was our hard work that allowed us to be here in the first place. So we just want to continue on doing what we do best.

Q. Tk, with the whole team, how is the atmosphere in the locker room? And obviously we've heard from you two, but how are your teammates handling all of this?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: I mean, my teammates, even just walking to the locker room, they were all excited, like, Oh, nice. Like everybody has that type of feeling. And I know they want to keep having that feeling. As we keep on going through the March Madness, I think everybody will be happy.

Q. How about Coach Smesko? I mean, the guy is a legend. He's been here so many times. How is he taking all this and handling it, and do you see any extra beads of sweat on his forehead?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: You can tell just like that he really wants it, just how he's game planning, how he's going through everything. He really wants it. Every time he sees me, he's like, Let's go. Let's go, Tk. I'm like, Yeah, it's that time.

So we have to have that mentality of coming in, playing FGC basketball and trying to get this win.

Q. Obviously in southwest Florida this has been a very trying year with the storm. We've talked to you both about that throughout the season. But what would even just one win in the NCAA Tournament mean for both of you?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: It would mean a lot. It would mean a lot. It would mean like just coming into this year with a lot of doubt for our team and just all together and for us to get that win, it would be like, okay, we did that.

But even though we want to get one win, our goal is to get two.

Q. How about three?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: How about three. How about four.

Q. Sha, same question to you. I mean, what would it mean for you and the just southwest Florida community to do it this year?

SHA CARTER: I think it's kind of a shock-the-world moment, not only for ourselves, but kind of for everybody, just to understand that this was a new team. We had a lot of different transfers come in, and it was just kind of trying to figure out how we're going to work together and things like that.

And once we hit our groove, I mean, we see the record. We've been doing pretty good. And I think that speaks for not only just itself but just how we can come together and put everything, any type of adversity or obstacles, including the hurricane, and working through those different things.

So to be on this platform and on this stage, to go out and show that we are more than just our seeding, we are more than just what the name of the school is, that we are definitely a community and we are a family.

And like Tk said, why not stop at two, let's just win them all. I think just having that confidence in ourselves. We've earned that and worked so hard. Not saying that any other team hasn't as well, but this is the thing you work for. You've worked all postseason, throughout the season, injuries, things like that.

So we're ready. We're locked in.

Q. I ran into some FGCU fans on the plane ride up here, so there are some southwest Florida people coming up to cheer you on. What are you expecting from the stands and the fans come tomorrow afternoon?

TISHARA MOREHOUSE: Just the always it's so loving, like the love and support all through this year. Even at away games that's at least three or four hours away, we will still see fans. So for them to come down and wanting to see our team is it's just so heartwarming. You just have to love it. Love our fans.

Q. Sha, stepping onto the court tomorrow, maybe you can't do this right now, but what are those feelings going to be like?

SHA CARTER: I mean, you're right. It's hard to try to imagine that and describe that. And like I said, it's things like this that -- moments that you wish for and that I've dreamed of, and just finally for them to actually come to fruition and be there.

So tomorrow's going to be a mix of nerves and emotions. But overall just genuine happiness and just glad to be here.

I feel like I'm stumbling over my words because I'm trying to imagine that moment, but more importantly just ready to go hard for my team and my girls. And I cannot wait for us to have that jump ball and just to get things going.

Q. What is maybe one player or one part of Washington State that you guys are really keying in on to make sure that you shut down tomorrow?

SHA CARTER: Honestly, ourselves. If I had to give an answer. I think we are -- obviously they're a great team, but I think our biggest thing is to worry about what we are about and our principles and making sure we're focusing on doing everything the FGCU way and things like that.

THE MODERATOR: Anybody else have any questions? I think we're good. Sha, Tk, thank you.

Coach, if you could begin with an opening statement.

KARL SMESKO: Obviously we're in a really good game against a great team. We're really looking forward to it. We know Washington State's been playing great. They've won like 7 out of 8. They just won the Pac-10 tournament championship.

But we've been playing very well as of late. We've had a great week of practice, and we're looking forward to the competition.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Coach, you've been here multiple times, especially recently, going on a stretch. What makes this year different than some of your past runs?

KARL SMESKO: Well, every year is a different year. You have different people involved. For a lot of our players, this is the first time they've had the experience of March Madness, something that everybody looks forward to.

We've put in a lot of work. We're preparing. I really like the team's attitude and effort going into this. We're going to see how far we can take this.

Q. The city -- and this was on the men's side while you were still coaching, obviously, back in 2013, the men went on a run in Philadelphia. Have you had those thoughts how this city has kind of been home to a good run for your school? And have you shared that with the team at all?

KARL SMESKO: No, I really haven't. We're just focused on Washington State. That was a magical run, our men's program had, and it was here. But I don't believe in a lot of those things. Now, if we go on a magical run, maybe I'll start to believe. So hopefully this is the thing that makes me a believer.

Q. With Washington State, what jumps off the page when you're scouting them?

KARL SMESKO: Well, I don't know that it's one thing. I think they're just really well coached. They're really disciplined. They help one another. They're very solid defensively. They control the tempo. They know each other's strengths and they play into each other's strengths.

And one thing I've noticed, because I've watched games throughout the season, is how much they've improved throughout the year. And right now they are just playing excellent basketball. So we know it's going to take a tremendous effort. We're going to have to play really well. But we're looking forward to it.

Q. You said this earlier, there's a lot of new faces, a lot of players that have not been in this environment and in this pressure on your roster. What has been the feeling in the locker room, and how have the players handled these first early days leading up to it? And then especially today, how is everything in the locker room, I guess?

KARL SMESKO: I think everything is great. I mean, we talk about -- all year we talked about having March maturity, like we handle things in a mature manner, we go about our business, we understand what we're trying to get accomplished.

And I've been really happy with our team's focus and their ability to put in a game plan this week. And we're hoping to see it executed well tomorrow.

Q. We've had this same question multiple times throughout the year; however, I think it carries a little more weight now that you are in the tournament. What would it mean to go on the run this year for southwest Florida after everything that that area and those people have gone through?

KARL SMESKO: Well, obviously, this fall was devastating for a lot of the people in the southwest Florida community, especially out by the beach. Hopefully -- I don't know how much us winning basketball games helped that, but if it brings joy to people's life in the area and something for them to be proud of, we would love to be able to deliver it.

And we've definitely been putting in the work, and we're here on a mission to do that, and hopefully we come through for them.

Q. How does your preparations as a head coach change from a regular season game to an ASUN tournament game to now the NCAA Tournament?

KARL SMESKO: Really not much at all. We go into every game, no matter the opponent, with a plan. Our players get prepared for everybody. We take everybody as serious as an NCAA Tournament game.

And then we feel like when you do that through the course of the year, this doesn't seem like anything different. This is how we prepare for everybody. We know how important the preparation process is. We're just going to be going against a really good team, and our players are aware of that.

Q. You guys obviously have had the last handful of games at home, so you've had that comfort of the home court advantage, having all of your fans there. We did talk about how we did see some fans coming up on the plane. Does having this big game not being at home, have you seen the nerves coming out of the girls or just a different way that they're preparing mentally or anything? Or do you think that -- just tell me how adjusting to playing on not your home court in a while is.

KARL SMESKO: Well, I feel like we've played really well on the road. In fact, there's not many teams that have played as well as us on the road for a number of years. And I think part of that is no matter where we play, we prepare the same way.

So I don't think our players are thinking about where the game is at. They're just thinking about who they're playing and what their job is to help us be successful.

Q. Coach, I saw the video of you dancing post-ASUN championship --

KARL SMESKO: I would like to say that my back was really stiff going into that. Like I don't know if that's an accurate portrayal of my rhythm.

(Laughter.)

Q. So if there is a win next to your team's name tomorrow, are we going to see those same dance moves, or will we have to wait until the Sweet 16 or even further?

KARL SMESKO: I think we'll -- we're here to win. We're going to celebrate any win that we get. But I don't expect there to be any dancing. We'll be moving right on to the next game and getting ready for that.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Coach.

KARL SMESKO: Thank you, everyone.