NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - MICHIGAN VS LSU

March 18, 2023

LaDazhia Williams

Angel Reese

Pete Maravich Assembly Center

LSU Tigers

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Angel, we haven't had a chance to say hello to you since we started this. So welcome up here. Just wanted to get your thoughts. I know this isn't your first postseason, but it's been a couple stops since you have been in the NCAA Tournament. Just your thoughts on last night how everything developed and being back in the action.

LADAZHIA WILLIAMS: It's just really exciting to be back in March Madness. You know, we have been preparing for this the whole season, and it just felt good to finally play again back on our home court.

THE MODERATOR: Angel, last night when you talking to us you said you were happy with the win but you knew when you started to see film, and look back on it you would find things you wanted to work on since we saw you last night, have you ever a chance to think about that and look at any video, and what came out?

ANGEL REESE: We looked at not much film, of last night's game, but looking at the film from Michigan, they are a really big team. Making sure we rebound, staying focused, staying together as one. That's going to be important playing them.

THE MODERATOR: We will open up questions on the floor.

Q. Angel, you watched them play. You watched Michigan yesterday. What impressed you about them, and do they resemble the team that you played this year?

ANGEL REESE: Yeah. They have a lot of experience. The physicality. They have good size in guards, like South Carolina that we've seen. They are a really good team. They have a lot of experience, great coaching. Luckily we and Kateri have been able to see them too in the Big 10 last year, so we kind of know what to expect. And talking to our teammates about strategies that could work for them tomorrow.

Q. You talked about their size, but they also shot the ball pretty well from deep yesterday. Have you had a point of emphasis on getting out to the three-point line and kind of guarding that?

ANGEL REESE: Yeah. Hawaii was also great, supposed to be a great 3-point shooting team. Making sure that we're staying focused. It's going to be important to everybody, all five positions, being able to execute and know your scout. Like, you have to know each person, even the ones coming off the bench. They emphasize that. Coach Bob does a great job having film and having us know our scouting reports. Just paying attention and just focusing.

Q. For Angel, going off what you said about having been in the Big 10, how much does that help to be able to go into the memory bank and think of your games against Michigan before?

ANGEL REESE: I always remember playing Michigan. Of course, they are a great team. I just know just playing against them they are always going to play hard. We have to make sure we are really mentally tough tomorrow because they are really physical team. And staying together as one, and keeping this group together as one of the leaders.

Q. Watching the film on Kiser, what sticks out to both of you; what sticks out about her?

ANGEL REESE: She can finish with either hand, she's a really aggressive post, and she really works hard around the basket. We have to make sure that we box her out and also find her in transition because she's also capable of shooting the 3.

Q. LaDazhia, you had 3 blocks last night, as a team you had 8. How important do you think that will be moving forward as you play bigger teams and they continue to attack you on the paint?

LADAZHIA WILLIAMS: We really try to focus on team U basketball. Always been in help, always being there to help your teammate. We always focus on that in practice, so it's really what we always do.

Q. What problems do they force defensively, have you seen in film?

ANGEL REESE: Has Michigan?

Q. Yeah.

ANGEL REESE: Like I said, they are much bigger. They are probably one of the biggest teams that we see guard-wise. They have a lot of depth as well. We have to make sure we limit our turnovers for sure. I think that we might be a quicker team and one of the most athletic teams that they have seen, so I think that's going to be our advantage tomorrow.

Q. First for Angel. You had the great scoring game yesterday. And obviously, it's better for the team if you have more balanced scoring. How prepared are you to put the team on your back, if necessary to do that again to get your team to the Sweet Sixteen?

ANGEL REESE: I'm sure Michigan has scouted me and they know what to do, playing against me. I don't think I'm going to be able to do all the easy things I was able to do yesterday. But, of course, supporting cast. A great post player, a guard. I know they will come to play. They will help had a lot. One person can't win the game.

Q. LaDazhia, you had the senior night. But this is going to be your last game here. Your time hasn't been very long. I assume this kind of atmosphere, the chance to go to the Sweet Sixteen, this is one of the big reasons you came here. Your thoughts on your last game here and trying to make the big step to the Sweet Sixteen?

LADAZHIA WILLIAMS: Yeah, most definitely one of the reasons why I came here. It's going to be exciting if we finish undefeated on our home court this year. This year has been great. And we're looking forward to going to Greenville and hopefully advance.

Q. Just with the theme both on-court players being available, you know, now that you have had this season together, what do you make of the element that you two as a tandem bring to this team on both ends of the court? And maybe are there ways you could identify where personally, whether it's personality-wise, skill-set-wise, where you guys are kind of a good match together on the court.

ANGEL REESE: I love playing with LaDazhia. She's one of the best post players I've ever played with. I'm going to miss her when she leaves. Me and LaDazhia are opposites. She has really great footwork and her hands are great around the basket. I think we bring different things. I'm the loud outspoken person and LaDazhia is the quiet assassin. It's a powerful duo. I think it's an advantage to a lot of teams. When I'm off, LaDazhia comes in and steps in, and she has her points -- it might not show on the paper, but she does come through and does a lot of great things for this team. We can't win without LaDazhia.

LADAZHIA WILLIAMS: Yeah. We have had a lot of time during the summer to build chemistry with one another. It's been great to have this person we could lean on as a leader. It shows on the court and on the stat sheets. She's great for the younger kids, too.

Q. Angel, for you. Something that UNLV's coach said that Michigan did to their post player. Because of that depth they were able to bring people in and out. Is that something you expect tomorrow?

ANGEL REESE: Yeah. They are going to throw a lot of different things at us for sure. I'm sure double teams, some zone. They have depth for sure. They have experience for sure. But it's not something that we haven't seen this year.

THE MODERATOR: LaDazhia and Angel, thank you very much for your time. Congratulations again. Good luck tomorrow.