NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - MISSISSIPPI STATE VS NOTRE DAME

March 18, 2023

Niele Ivey

Cassandre Prosper

Kylee Watson

Purcell Pavilion

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Media Conference

Q. I have a question for both of you guys. Seems like you guys are in a unique position where you're a 3 seed but you're playing without Liv and without Dara obviously as well. What's it been like to have something to prove as a 3 seed? Because I feel like a lot of times it's kind of a given that a 3 seed should advance, at least through to the Sweet 16. But you guys are in a position without those two players, you kind of have a lot to prove. What's that been like?

CASSANDRE PROSPER: Yeah, I would say we've been going through a lot of adversity. But honestly, we have something to prove, but also we've proved it the whole season. We're missing two big players, two key players, but we're always going to compete, always going to play our game, and I have no doubt that we'll still be okay.

We have them on the side cheering us on, giving us energy, so that's great. Yeah.

KYLEE WATSON: Obviously Liv and Dara are huge pieces to the puzzle and they've been so impactful to the success we've had thus far in the season. One thing about this team is that we love each other and we play for each other. Now we have even more something to play for and that is Dara and Liv.

And kind of what Kass talked about, going through that adversity I feel like made us stronger as a team and brought us closer. And I feel like once we start getting into the groove of learning how to play without them, we should be good, and I feel like we were able to do that last game.

Q. Kylee, they have a center, Jessika Carter, who seems to be playing some of her best basketball at the right time. What do you know about her game, and what are you going to do to go about kind of corralling her?

KYLEE WATSON: Yeah, I honestly didn't know much about her because obviously I played in the Pac-12 and in the ACC, so I wasn't too familiar with the SEC. But just from watching the past two games, she's very physical, she's very talented, super athletic.

Just kind of competing with her and also being physical and getting out and running in transition and kind of using our speed and being able to play and use the three-big lineup that we have to kind of go against that.

Q. Kass, you've had quite the journey this season. You didn't start the season with the team, and now all of a sudden you're playing in the tournament. Talk about your first NCAA Tournament experience yesterday.

CASSANDRE PROSPER: Yes, it's been great. It was really amazing. I think the fact that I have these amazing teammates with me makes it even greater.

It's a big thing, a nice experience. I'm enjoying all of it. I'm really blessed to be here and to be going through all of this with my teammates, coaches. It's been, yeah, amazing.

Q. Kylee, just kind of going off of that, have you done anything to prepare Kass or some of your younger teammates saying that this is the tournament, this is a lot bigger than what we've done throughout the season? How do you prepare your younger teammates for when the stakes are raised?

KYLEE WATSON: Yeah, I mean, I feel like a lot of the upperclassmen, at least all the girls who have been in the tournament before, tried to emphasize how important this is and how every game could be your last. So play these 40 minutes like the last 40 minutes you're going to play, because you never know when your season is going to come to an end.

Like I said, playing for each other, just put it all out there, because you really don't know if it's going to be your last time.

Q. Kass, just want to follow up on that last question. I think the biggest thing that kind of stands out about your game so far is you just don't seem afraid. You're always very confident and out there even as your role has increased lately. I wonder where that confidence comes from.

CASSANDRE PROSPER: Probably just because I am a confident person, especially coming in halfway through the season. It's something that not everyone does. And just knowing that this was going to be a challenge, this was going to be hard, and going through this with the mindset that I'm here for a reason. Also my family just always keeping me in check and giving me confidence throughout all of this. And my teammates, obviously, giving me confidence for sure.

Q. Kass, can you discuss your brother a little bit, the relationship you guys have and how you push each other, and then also to what level are you able to track each other? Your games the other day were at the same time, and tomorrow it looks like you'll be able to see him a little bit. Are your parents here or are they at his games or split up or what?

CASSANDRE PROSPER: So my brother and I are very close. He watches my games, I watch his games. Since we've been young, been playing one-on-one, just always being close. My parents actually went to see him Friday, and they're driving there tomorrow to come see me. They're kind of in between. They were so bummed that the game was at 3:30 and his game was at 2:45 so they couldn't make both.

But they're in between both kids. They love basketball, they played basketball, so they're just enjoying the journey with us. It's really fun, yeah.

NIELE IVEY: Well, super excited, again, being in the second round, advancing is always a dream for me, so really grateful for this moment, excited to embrace this moment, excited to play Mississippi State. Again, just felt like last night was just a really good dominant performance from the team, and looking forward to another 40 minutes to try to advance.

Q. Obviously you're playing an opponent that has a lot to prove, 11 seed, almost missed out on the tournament, had to play in the First Four. It seems like you guys have a lot to prove, too, missing your starting backcourt duo. What is it like to be in a matchup in the round of 32 where you're playing the Cinderella but you guys also have so much to prove because of the circumstances?

NIELE IVEY: Yeah, I think it's exciting. Mississippi State is coming off of two great wins. They're playing with a chip on their shoulder and we're playing with a chip on our shoulder. It's going to be an incredible athletic matchup. They have great size. They have great guards. It's going to be a fast-paced game. And again, both of us have -- both program haven't been to this point with the players that we have right now.

Both programs are going to be super excited to be able to compete tomorrow.

Q. Sam Purcell was just in here and talking very highly about you. He says he remembers you rebounding for Jaden, who knows when it was, when he was at Louisville, obviously. Just curious how well you got to know him, and even if you didn't get to know him that well, how much you respect what he did at Louisville being there for so long.

NIELE IVEY: Yeah, I mean, I think he's done an incredible job taking over the Mississippi State program. Always one of the top assistants at Louisville, and you see the success that they've had for generations and decades. I know he was part of that. He's a great recruiter.

I don't know him really well, but I always felt like on the road in recruiting and just even match-ups, he's always been super kind. And again, like for them to have these two amazing victories says a lot about what he's doing in that program and how he's turned it around.

Q. Just looking at this matchup on paper, looks like Sonia is your leading scorer and then they've got Carter. You've got more of a backcourt scorer and they have more of middle scorer. In your objective opinion, is there either one that is better than the other either from the backcourt or the front court?

NIELE IVEY: No. I do think their offense and their glue is Carter. I feel like she is an incredible post player, very impressed by watching her in person and what I've watched on film. But her supporting cast, her guards, they're really tough.

Great defenders. They can mix up their defenses. I thought they shot the ball really well here in Purcell. And the last couple games, they've shot lights out and they have a lot of balance, they go deep in the bench and they can do a lot much different things.

For me, yeah, Sonia is kind of my all-purpose player. She does whatever we need. But I also think that we match what they have. We have great size, we have post players that create a lot of offense with inside, and our guards are really good. So it's going to be fun. I feel like it's an even matchup.

Q. What have you told Lauren and Kylee and Maddy about facing Carter, defending her, especially when she's trying to get her points? Seems like she does really well.

NIELE IVEY: Yes, I talked a lot about -- we watched a lot of film, but talking about you have to do your work early with her. I think she does a great job of having great timing, of getting a great position. She does a great job of ducking in. And it's a credit to her guards for getting the ball to her when she's open. She has such presence. She's good on off screen-and-rolls. She's good at getting one-on-one on the block.

What I've told our posts, you have to do your work early. You have to make sure that she doesn't get a great position and seal you too deep. And we have to great ball pressure so it's hard for their guards to look in.

Q. I want to ask you about Kass. She just seems to play like a rambunctious puppy. She might lead you in airballs but she comes back and makes a huge play after that. And the fact that she's still about three months from turning 18 years old, what did you think of her first NCAA Tournament game, and then also the way she's playing overall?

NIELE IVEY: Yes, well, I actually just told her I'm so proud of her. I thought she came out with such great energy. She was ready. She's excited. She's the type of player that is born for these moments. She doesn't shy away from any moment, no matter how big it is, whatever the play is. Even at Louisville, she made the two free throws -- the game at Louisville, she made two big free throws. Never shies away from the moment.

I was just really proud of the confidence that she had yesterday. And like you said, no matter what, she can go from a play, she doesn't carry on if she makes a mistake or missed a shot. She goes to the next play, and the next play she's going to play harder than the one before.

I couldn't ask for a better person on my team. She's incredible on and off the court. It's a perfect addition for what I'm building, and I'm just super grateful that she chose to come here and gift us with her talents.

Q. This is going to be the last game in this building this season. Do you have a message for the fans who have come out and supported the team this year?

NIELE IVEY: Yes. Thank you. My message is I'm full of gratitude for the energy that they brought this season. It was phenomenal. Then yesterday was exactly what I imagined. There was completely green. I know it was St. Patrick's Day, but their faces, their energy, they were so excited. They cheered from the beginning to the end.

I'm so grateful for that support. It's what I've always prayed for is to continue Coach McGraw's legacy, but to continue bringing fans to support women and support our program.

I'm excited to give them one last game for 40 minutes, and looking forward to even building more community here and more support here with the program.