NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SECOND ROUND - IOWA STATE VS STANFORD

March 23, 2024

Tara VanDerveer

Courtney Ogden

Hannah Jump

Maples Pavilion

Stanford Cardinal

Media Conference

Q. For both players, just what do you know about Iowa State so far? Just kind of what are the keys going to be to getting past the psych loans tomorrow night?

HANNAH JUMP: Yeah, we just finished watching a lot of film. They're a great team. We got to watch them play a little bit yesterday. They have solid inside presence with Audi Crooks. She is a phenomenal player we saw yesterday.

And then they have some really good shooters, so I think we have going to have to pick and choose kind of when we double and when we don't.

But I think the key to the game will be playing fast and just kind of executing our offense.

COURTNEY OGDEN: Like Hannah said, they play a really inside-out game. I think the key is play our good defense and make sure we push the ball, and, I mean, defend Audi Crooks well and I think we'll be fine.

Q. I was just kind of wondering what were your impressions of what Audi did in the first game against Maryland and what can you guys take from that game and maybe implement to slow her down a little bit?

HANNAH JUMP: Yeah, like we said, she's phenomenal, very efficient, and I think she went 18 for 20 last night. So I think just trying to limit her catches, be aggressive, make sure we box her out and don't let her get any second chance opportunities.

Q. Hannah, last night Tara was talking a little bit about how she didn't think that your guys' defense was talked about as much, or kind of like the narrative when you guys are talked about. How do you feel year defense has a team has come this year, and to you guys, what stands out about what you guys have done well defensively late if the season?

HANNAH JUMP: Yeah, I think we really focus every day just on being more aggressive. That's really how we set the tone for the game. I think a lot of times our defense will lead to getting good shots on offense.

I think depending on the night, everyone has a different role. Most of the time Talana will be on their main guard; Cam and Kiki inside with their presence is crucial. Just pay attention to the scouting report. It's really something we focus on here and spend a lot time, and I think we pride ourselves on being a really good scouting report team.

So focusing and locking in on that, which is the work we do today that will prepare us for tomorrow.

Q. Hannah, when you do end up shooting, I know shooting can be a rhythm thing and a feel thing. Can you even come into a game like the day before a game and feel as if things are going right and carry that into a game in that way with your three-point shot?

HANNAH JUMP: For me it's just all about confidence. When I have open shots, knocking them down. If I'm getting limited touches, just bring out what else I can do to impact the game.

But, yeah, I mean, I felt good last night, and hopefully that will continue throughout the tournament.

Q. Courtney, Hannah shooting, we hear at practice it's more impressive than you sometimes see in the game. You've only been here for one year, but what's the most impressive display that you've seen from a Hannah practice at some point with some three point shooting?

COURTNEY OGDEN: Like you said, every day is impressive. Every shot she takes is impressive. She can shoot from 30 feet, so any time you don't expect her to shoot and she throws it up there and goes in, we're just on the sideline, like, wow. But that's Hannah Jump, so...

Q. Where did you watch the first game last night? How was that kind of watching that, scouting that while you still had to prepare for the game later?

HANNAH JUMP: Yeah, I think we got to watch a little bit of it in person. I think about a quarter, which was nice just to be able to see them play.

And then the rest of it, you know, was just kind of film that we saw today. But they're a really solid team. I think last year we learned we have to take it day by day, game by game.

I think coming into this round of 32 that will be crucial for us.

We worked ahead for this but never looking ahead, so just taking it, coming in tomorrow and executing knowing what we know we got to do, I think we're in a good spot.

Q. Courtney, what's it like playing your first NCAA tournament?

COURTNEY OGDEN: It's exciting. The nerves are there but the coaching staff and the teammates have prepared us. Coming as a freshmen, being able to impact the game in any way it's exciting just to be on the court and be in March Madness, so I'm excited to play with my team and hopefully go all the way.

Q. Courtney, is there a team that you can think of this year that kind of you've already played that plays the inside out style that Iowa State does? Anything that's kind of you can recall in that way?

COURTNEY OGDEN: I think they are really similar to Oregon State. We have beaten Oregon State three times, so we can continue that trend tomorrow.

Q. Random for you, Hannah. You've spent all this time with Cameron over the years. When you think back about her as a teammate, what are the things that are going stand out and also kind of the thoughts about her impact on this program?

HANNAH JUMP: Yeah, I think the thing with Cam is she brings so much joy to the locker room. She is so excited, probably more excited for everyone else's performances than her own. That's what's really so special about her.

Like you said, I got to play with her a long time growing up and now to be here at Stanford, last game together at Maples, and I think we're just going to soak up the moment and really just enjoy our last game out there together.

Q. Hannah, I know there have been a lot of last games in Maples. This one really is the last one for you. What's something we might not know about Maples that could be impacting or give a home-court advantage tomorrow night?

HANNAH JUMP: Oh, God. I think honestly, talking about a home-court advantage, one thing about Maples is every game every year it becomes more packed. That just shows the impact that women's sports has had, especially in the Bay Area.

I think every year I've been here this is my fifth year now, so I've just been able to see that growth. I think that's super special, and hopefully tomorrow night we'll get a full crowd and have everyone coming out to support us and give us that home-court advantage.

Q. Both players, just talk about the support you got from other female teams on campus, women's soccer, women's volleyball, women's softball. What's the support been and the relationship you always have collectively on campus?

HANNAH JUMP: Yeah, I know a lot of the girls were there last night. We saw them in the stands. It's spring break so really great to still have them here supporting us.

We got watch women's soccer do their thing this year, women's volleyball. It just gives us confidence to go out there where their support to do our thing and hopefully win it all.

COURTNEY OGDEN: I agree with Hannah. Seeing them in the stands is definitely encouraging, exciting. Just like they support us, we support them. So I think it's just great for the women's sports altogether.

Q. I was just wondering what did you think of the performance that Audi Crooks put together Friday night, and how do you good about trying to slow her down?

TARA VANDERVEER: First of all, I love the little police thing. Did you see that, where -- I thought that was really cute. I guess she's okay to be a crook.

She is a fabulous talent and I think that their whole team is. Bill does a great job. They are extremely well-coached and take advantages of their strengths. She is, again, a talent on the low block and can face up.

I'm glad I don't have to guard her. We have players on our team that are going to work really hard against her. They're not a one-pony pony. They have some really great perimeter shooters, again, great schemes, work really hard. They know what they're doing out there. I think it should be a really great game.

Q. Two questions: You've been coaching for two or so years at this point. Is there a player that reminds you of what Audi can do?

TARA VANDERVEER: You know, I think in our conference, someone like Beers, that kind of -- kind of that maybe that presence, low, big, strong kid inside.

You know, there have been a lot of great players we have played against. But I know she had a great game last night, and I think it's just like with anyone you play, you can't let them do what they like to do.

You have to work really hard to not let her do what he she likes to do.

She had a fabulous night last night.

Q. With Hannah in particular, she has had games in the past where it's six, seven, eight three-pointers that can go in. Hasn't really been those types of games, especially in Pac-12 play and beyond this year. As a coach, is there maybe like all she needs is one to go through it? We might see that game still coming this season?

TARA VANDERVEER: I think that Hannah is very capable of that. I'm more interested in other people kind of -- Elena having a great game last night I thought was fabulous. Hannah we know is very capable, but I'm also so proud of what Hannah has done defensively, her assists, turnover ratio, her leadership on the court.

So she is not just a three point shooter. That's something that our team needs, the other things she's doing, too.

Q. Just kind of wanted to get your thoughts on what Jzaniya has brought this year and her growth. What's been the key to her taking the step up in her game this year?

TARA VANDERVEER: Jzaniya has really stepped up her game. I think first of all, she's a basketball player with a high IQ. She thinks and watches the game a lot. She has an excellent three point shot. She can be our 1 or 2. She is working really hard defensively, gets steals, has active hands, she passes the ball inside really well.

And I think just kind of along the lines of Kiki, just gaining confidence and coaches having more confidence in her.

Q. You mentioned Elena and she has really been on a run since the Pac-12 tournament. Struggle a little bit earlier in the year in the starting lineup. What has turned around for her and what specific work have you seen her put in to get to this point where she has a game like she did last night?

TARA VANDERVEER: Again, in a lot of ways, Elena is a young player. She didn't play a lot as a freshman. Again, you have Lexi and Lacey and Anna Wilson, all kind of a lot of other people that were ahead of her.

Last year she had some good minutes. This year, she has kind of taken another big step in her confidence. Always been a very good shooter, loves to shoot the three ball.

She finishes at the rim and take out ball to the basket and the passing has really improved. She got the first assists last night of the 21 we had by getting the ball inside. I also thought she did a fabulous job defensively in Pac-12 tournament guarding Juju. That really help her confidence.

I thought she did a great job there really contributing, and sometimes it does take a while to kind of get a team to mesh. She's very unselfish and recognizes this is what I need do for my team. I think we'll start her in her role, whatever she needs to do, and she'll do it.

Q. You know, last night I think and really throughout the season, Cam and Kiki have been getting easy points off rim runs. Just wondering, where have you seen the growth particularly for Kiki in that area and how big after part of your offense is that area of rim running?

TARA VANDERVEER: You know, I guess I'm not the one running, but I would love to see them come out of a cannon every time we get the ball. Whether it's Cam or Kiki, they're both really fast. They're both incredibly talented finishers. I think whoever gets the rebound, the other one should be sprinting the floor as fast as they can.

But I feel like that would be something that we should be doing actually better, but when we do it, I really love it.

I thought Kiki got in deep really well. Courtney threw her the ball. We had several of those. I would be happy if we did it every time down the court.

Q. I know you guys have a lot ahead of you that you're still trying to accomplish. This will be Cam's last game in this building. When you think about what she's done here and what she's meant to this program what, kind of things come to the forefront of your mind?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, it'll be Cam and Hannah's last game. I think that when I think of someone as last game I think of the great games that one like maybe Lexi hull H I think 36 points or Candice Wiggins. I'm hoping that that is in the water cooler. You know, that Cam and Hannah just really bid farewell on a real high note.

Cam has been just an outstanding player for our program. She plays both ends of the floor. Offense and defense, and rebounding. I think she is -- she has a slight frame but she's really strong. She gets beat up a lot but she battles.

I really love her competitiveness, her drive. She's led our team in assists. Her unselfishness. Obviously loves to block shots. She'll graduate with that record.

But I think she's also a lot more than that. I think as a basketball person on our team, she's always the first one to go over and welcome someone at practice. She has a big heart.

I just want her to have a great game tomorrow and I want Hannah to have a great game, too. Not just for our -- for our team obviously, but also for them.

And she's been someone that has been incredibly special as a player at Stanford.

Q. Tara, last night you were mentioning how you feel like the defense isn't what you think of what you think of this program. What area specifically defensively do you feel like you guys have come a long way in this year or where would you highlight where you're at your strongest defensively?

TARA VANDERVEER: I think that's a great question. You know, a lot of times people I think confuse defense with forcing steals, whereas we might play what I call scouting report defense, trying to take away a player's strength. We're not always going to be way out denying and pressuring. That's never really been the team we've had here at Stanford.

But we want to contest shots, force teams into bad shots, not give them second shots, get back, and make them play against five people. So I think our defense is more a system defense than necessarily one-on-one. Talana works extremely hard on one-on-one defense so we want to take advantage of the strengths of our team, which would be having Cam as a rim protector. Having someone like Kiki who is really developing her defense.

And trying to -- I think one of the best defenders we've had at Stanford was Kate Paye. She works with players on the team being better one-on-one defenders.

Elena, just focusing on just the focus of understanding that you're not just going up against somebody one on one but saying, already, left-handed, three point shooter we're going to guard them this way.

We call it scouting report defense and people buy into that and that's been working very well for us.

Q. Back to this social media post by the Des Moines Police. That may reach somebody who doesn't follow basketball, right? They may find -- reach an audience that brings some people to watch this game tomorrow who might not have otherwise. What does that mean to you? I know you're an ambassador of that sport.

TARA VANDERVEER: Right.

Q. There is an example of maybe a chance to bring some fresh eyes to the game.

TARA VANDERVEER: I think it's fabulous. Just the attention that ya'll are helping bring to women's basketball. Great game. I think Bill said it yesterday, what an entertaining game. Down 20, they come back and fans were into the game. Very well played game.

You know, to have kind of we need the regular folks to be -- not just the basketball afficianados, but everyone saying, hey, let's check out the score. Let's watch. I don't know they need to sell anymore tickets. I think they're already sold out.

I think it's great, really exciting that something like that is getting that kind of attention.

Q. Thoughts on the benefit of playing Norfolk State last night. How beneficial was it, do you think, to play a team that maybe forced you to improve?

TARA VANDERVEER: I think it's great. Now we've gone from kind of one extreme to the other. Just kind of the offensive execution of maybe Iowa State versus the aggressive scrappiness and -- although I thought Norfolk State executed well, too, in doing what they did.

But that's what the NCAA tournament is about. Sometimes it's about matchups. It's about really understanding what a team likes to do and making the adjustments.

So I think obviously we're here today. Very excited and excited about playing tomorrow. But every game will help you get better.

Q. It was kind of interesting what you were talking about generating more interest in the game. Does Audi -- from your perspective, does a player like Audi Crooks have the potential to eventually be one of those big faces of your sport?

TARA VANDERVEER: You know, I think she should be in the talk of the top freshman. I would say Addy Brown, too. When you have -- they are playing just at the highest level in the league, being in the league that they're in, and do so well.

I think they should be in the conversation of the top freshmen in the country. They're really having a great, great year. I think she has a special personality. Watching her play, I saw one time somebody elbowed her and she kind of just laughed.

I think she has a great presence and something that people would watch and say, wow, this is fun. You know, this is a fun player to watch. She brings a lot to the game. So, yes, that was a long answer. Yes.

Q. With obviously what happened last year, everybody, freshman know about it at this point. Do you think at this point as a motivating factor you even bring it up at this point or because everybody knows you think you don't really need to touch on it in that way?

TARA VANDERVEER: Well, you know, you never -- I mean, you're never going to get away from history.

There is also a pretty good side of history that I think that we're something like 42 and 5 in this building in the NCAA tournament, so I would rather think about that.

Q. Coach, I think they kind of threw a three-two matchup zone at you guys last night. Is that something you expect maybe Iowa State or some other team you face later in the tournament to throw at you guys again?

TARA VANDERVEER: I thought we -- you know, I think it was really good for us to play against it. Actually I think Maryland probably played more of that than Iowa State would.

But, you know, I think probably most teams are going to do what they have been doing all year. If you've won, 28, 29 games you're not going to say let's go do this because that team did it.

We know that Iowa State will mix up their defenses, play some player, some zone, and we will have to made adjustments. Playing against that last night, we got some really good shots. We shot 45% from three which is great.

I think we shot over 50% from two, which is great. Some turnovers that I didn't like, but I think we can correct those. We were able to run on them, so we want to beat the zone down the court. I feel like our team would have confidence manage whatever they're going to throw at us.