WBB: After-game Presser Curry and Blair (Curry talks about inconsistency and Blair talks about BCG, playing A&M and being a Red Raider)

These quotes were taken at the After-games Press Conference (WBB: Tech v ATM). The presser is worth reading or watching.

It was the first Press Conference where I thought Curry was angry. None of the Lady Raiders were at the PC and Curry was short with the reporters. But she still found a way to stay positive. The Lady Raiders can still turn this around and get to the NCAA Tournament.

HC Kristy Curry

On getting defensive stops but not converting on offense

“We kept explaining we are three stops out, we are four stops out, we could get enough stops we just couldn’t come down and capitalize, whether it was an easy chip in or a drive and finish and we couldn’t get it to go in tonight and we just have to stay positive and continue to work on things and encourage them that they can make shots but it’s also important that they understand that starts in practice and game speed to continue to come in and at this point our backs are against the wall and we’ve got an opportunity with nine game s to go to do something about it and we control our own destiny.”

On how Kierra Mallard played

“I thought she played with a lot of energy, obviously she looked a little rusty on her finishes and she couldn’t get anything to go either, but I was pleased with her effort. I think the thing that perplexes me more than anything is how Shauntal Nobles just wasn’t with it like she was on Saturday and it’s not just talking about Shauntal and I don’t mean to be negative but I am perplexed, perplexed greatly at our level of inconsistency from so many spots, again it’s understanding that everyday in this league you have to bring great energy and great effort and find consistency and the only person that controls that is you individually which impacts our team as a whole.”

////////////////

I mentioned it a bit in the Gamethread the other night. I like Coach Blair. For one he is a fellow Red Raider and he is proud of that and proud of Texas Tech. I like how he talks. He is always positive and he always has kind and supportive words for the opposing team and players. In the quote below he also talks well of BCG and how hard and physical the Big 12 Basketball is (both men and women).

Texas A&M HC Gary Blair

On aggressiveness of game

If y’all want sitting pretty ball, you are in the wrong conference. The Big 12 is a very physical conference. That is how we play. You just hired the most physical coach in the Big 12. When he gets his players, that is how he plays, with Billie. I watched it first hand; I built my defense around a lot of what he does. By taking charges, diving on the floor for balls. So, physical is part of it. If you are going to get to the NCAA, nobody complains about Connecticut, Tennessee, or any of those teams playing physical. That is basketball, the next level is where you have to get physical. WE got into foul trouble in our post, but look at my five position. I am rotating two bigs in there. They had 19 points and 18 rebounds, and that was the difference. They were making some mistakes on Mallard, but Mallard was missing her shots. She hadn’t played, she hadn’t made a shot in about four games until today. So they did a pretty good job. The second half, I thought we ran some good stuff. I alternated when they went to man, I put Carter at the point, because she can get by. My freshman is a work in progress, she is going to be good. But she is a freshman, just like Monique was when she was a freshman here. Now Monique is one of the top three point guards in the league.

Below Coach Blaire talks about his time at Tech and the re-alignment and the future of playing the Aggies

On last trip to Lubbock and conference realignment

This doesn’t have to be the last time. If y’all want to play we will sign a contract now. It was a good trip. I went to lunch with Jim Duncan, my old intermural partner. He could guard and he could shoot lights out, and Rick Lynch. We had some good people, we drove around campus a little. We went over to Will Rogers all painted in red. It’s memories. Then I drove by the dorms. I used to be at Thompson Hall, and look what you have done. You have created another Ole Maine. That is a beautiful building. And you are re-doing the baseball field, just like we are re-doing ours. I went up to that club you’ve got above the football field. Y’all have got a lot to be proud of. I’ve got a lot to be proud of because I am a Red Raider. So I am going to be coming back, weather there is a ball game or not. I am going to come back. Hopefully, once all the dust settles. And it will settle. All the egos will be put aside, because we need to keep playing each other. Like I said in the paper today, do you want a non-conference game against Washington or UCLA? Or do you want one against us?