NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - AMERICAN VS MICHIGAN

March 19, 2022

Megan Gebbia

Jade Edward

Lauren Stack

American Eagles

Media Conference

Michigan 74, American 39

Q. Opening statement from Coach.

COACH GEBBIA: It was great to be here. Obviously it was an up and down year for us. And for us to be here at this point in time, we were unsure. Just because of COVID last year and not playing a lot of games and trying to figure it out. We were trying to find a way and it really didn't start until February. And I'm excited about that because I think we can build on what this team produced this year going into next year since it's basically the same team returning. Having said that, obviously the game didn't go the way we would have liked. But I also think you can learn from these types of situations. And basically that is what we talked about in the locker room was it wasn't good enough. I thought we did rebound decently today. Didn't shoot the ball well at all. And I think that had a lot to do with Michigan's pressure and their denial and trapping and rotating off ball screens and things like that. That hurt us, obviously, turnovers. And the second quarter really was the huge, you know, jolt that they needed to get the lead and maintain it. So not a great performance by us, but we know that we have room to get better. And, you know, that's what we talked about. And that's what we will be doing in the postseason and over the summer.

Q. Rebounding was a focus coming into the game and you did a pretty good job. How tough was it to rebound against this team now that you actually had that experience?

JADE EDWARDS: Obviously it was pretty difficult. That was the focus leading up to the game. You know, our posts were going to help seal off and the guards would swoop in. But I mean this team is really talented and at some point you can't do much.

LAUREN STACK: I think the physicality kind of took us by -- not surprise. I think we expected it, but I don't think we expected it to be that physical like how hard they crashed the offensive boards. And we talked about before the game, how Michigan had said they are the hardest working team in America. And I think they somewhat proved that on the offensive boards today. They were relentless. So it was very difficult for us to be diligent boxing out the whole time.

Q. Out of your conference, who all did Michigan remind you of teams you played this year?

JADE EDWARDS: I mean Minnesota stood out, Virginia stood out, Towson stood out.

COACH GEBBIA: I would agree with what Jade is saying. You know, we try to play against good opponents in the regular season. Because if you get on this stage you're going to face somebody that's really good. And we'll continue to do that with the nonconference schedule. But yeah, I would say those teams in our league, I mean BU is a big team that we face and had to focus on that. And I felt like in our side of the bracket in the Patriot League tournament we had a lot of posts we had to contend with. So it started to prepare us a little bit more for a game like this. But obviously they still got the ball inside, which we didn't want that to happen as much as it did. But we tried.

Q. What was this experience like being in Ann Arbor and getting to compete in the NCAA tournament? Talk to me about like the overall experience and what it was like?

COACH GEBBIA: Me or the players, Alex?

Q. Both, both.

COACH GEBBIA: Okay, I'll start. This is the best experience. I mean to me it doesn't get better than this. You just hope that, you know, you are going to play a little bit better. I think getting out here and kind of resting up and getting the full experience of just Ann Arbor. You know, going downtown, having a nice dinner, preparing and being able to practice in the facility and seeing the facilities that Michigan has and recognizing that this is just a special time for them. And for me, it was more of like living the experience through them and watching them kind of make their way through these last couple of days. So it's always rewarding. I think it is always rewarding getting here no matter what happens. And, you know, like I said before, having the team back is exciting for us as a staff to move forward.

JADE EDWARDS: I mean the few of us talked about how this felt like AU. You know, getting to travel and be on the road with 12 of your best friends being in a hotel. And then, you know, playing in huge arenas like this with a lot of fans, it is really exciting. It is right up there with winning the championship. The same type of rush and that same type of thrill.

LAUREN STACK: I would say the experience is just kind of surreal, honestly. None of us have ever made it to a tournament game on this team. So I think this is a good -- it gives us a good feel for just how physical the tournament is, and I think sets our sights on trying to win the Patriot League again next year and come back whoever we would play and show up better.

Q. You guys had a good start to the game. It was 8-4 and then obviously they called the timeout and then things changed. What happened in the beginning of the game that allowed you guys to I guess control the pace? And towards the end of the game, obviously the game was out of reach, but you guys were keeping up with them towards the fourth quarter. What does that say about your team moving forward as well?

JADE EDWARDS: I mean our focus was to have a good start, not start off 10-15 points behind to set the tone for the whole game. I think it just shows that we are resilient. We have people coming in who don't give up. People keep fighting to the end. I mean regardless of the score throughout every time out, don't worry about the score, keep playing.

LAUREN STACK: Nothing to add.

COACH GEBBIA: Yeah, we talked a lot about having a good start, like Jade said. Because I have been in these situations before, and you can't get down super early. So I was proud of how we played the first quarter, to be honest. And then the second quarter it just felt like it was just little things here and there. It was like you couldn't get a stop or got a tip and went to them or they got an offensive rebound and it just kind of, yeah, it snowballed from there. And you know, you are trying to stop. And then I think honestly I think a lot was the offensive end, too. I know they scored a lot of points, but we just couldn't answer. We need to be able to do a better job of getting an answer when things don't feel great because a lot of times our defense is what starts our offense. When you are not getting stops, it feels like you can't score either. I think that is something we have to take from that quarter and move forward with that, too.

Q. Coach, what did you see out of Naz Hillmon today, and how did it kind of compare to what you were preparing for going in?

COACH GEBBIA: I thought we did a real good job on her in the first quarter. And then, you know, we don't have any experience like they were saying in this setting. So we have to sub at some point. I'm not saying it was the subs by any stretch because it was everyone. I think what ended up happening, we would miss shots, they would get out in transition. And we had guards on her at times because we are trying to get back or she would get better position on us because we are late getting back to her. And that we knew could be an issue. That's why you want to make shots so you can get your defense set. We weren't able to do that. She is just -- I mean she's an amazing player. I just enjoy watching how hard she goes at you every time. There were certain things we were trying to take away and she made some reverse pivot perimeter shots as well and we were trying to give her that a little bit. You know, and she just -- she just attacks you.

And that's -- I mean that is what you expect when you get to this level. So I look forward to watching her throughout the tournament and see how she does and see how Michigan does because I think they can make a real run here. But yeah, she's a fun player to even just be on court with.

Q. Hi, I know the program, your program has played Villanova over the years.

COACH GEBBIA: Yeah.

Q. Going in, just, you know, what do you think they will need to do to be successful?

COACH GEBBIA: Yeah. I'm very familiar with Villanova's program. And Denise has done a great job. Especially this year as far as how she's gotten them to beat UCONN and just really playing well. They are -- they are a good shooting team. And they run a similar stuff that we run kind of. I think obviously the rebounding and the transition are going to be huge. They're bigger than us. So they might not have to dig down and double as much as we did. But yeah, I mean it's going to be physical. And you know, it was fun to kind of watch them. We get a chance to play them next year so good for us. But yeah, I think they're going to have to defend. And they're going to have to get back in transition and do something with Hillmon.

Q. Other questions for Coach? Thank you. Congratulations on a great season.

COACH GEBBIA: Thanks. Thank you.