NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL FOUR: UCONN VS SOUTH CAROLINA

April 2, 2022

Azzi Fudd

Target Center

UConn Huskies

Finals Press Conference

AZZI FUDD: I was on her making sure she was icing, making sure she was off it, taking her meds, anything I could do to help her, I was there.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: It's great everything she's been through this year, but we know what she's capable of, that she's capable of doing it. I'm excited to see her doing it and now being here, get to do it back at home.

Q. Mirror what the whole team (inaudible) adversity coming back?

AZZI FUDD: I think that's a really good point. I think it does. It's injury, but just like as a whole we have to look at it, like Paige might not come back, and we were hope she would, but we had to be prepared. And that's really, what we've gone through, everyone has continue to step up and play different roles. I think it's made us ready for these moments. Anyone can be put in and anybody can be ready for any situation we're in.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I've done that a couple of times throughout the NC State game. There was one time running up the floor. I looked around me for a second, looked at the crowd, looked at the floor. I was, like, wow, we're really planning to go to the Final Four. This is incredible. This is one of my dreams when I committed. And now I'm here playing, about to play in a national championship game. And this is incredible.

Q. (Inaudible) couple of players of the year. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: It's super incredible. It's how our year started in the Bahamas. It's how our year is going to end. Me and Amari and Caroline were talking about a year ago today, we were looking at our memories a year ago today, we were in San Antonio at some camp watching the Final Four. And they played Stanford and we played Arizona and both teams lost. And we were both, like, heartbroken. The freshmen committed there. And both heartbroken. And now we're going there and we're going to get to have some impact on what's going to happen.

Q. Minnesota question for you. You come back in the past to watch (indiscernible) tournaments here. Which years did you come from that and how does that feel watching her, playing with her on the tournament stage now?

AZZI FUDD: I watched her sophomore or junior and senior year. So I watched all three. So I got to watch her play here. I think her sophomore and junior year she played here. No, I think it was just sophomore year she played here. But I think it's really cool knowing that I watched her play here with Hopkins and now we're both playing here in the finals. It's really cool.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: She means a lot. Just seeing her gives us like some more energy and more courage and all that stuff. But I think just her presence is amazing. And especially when she's like happy and doing like dancing. I mean, that's the best. I love seeing her happy like that.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I think for me, I was just like my first game back at DePaul, I was just happy to be out there. I didn't start the season I wanted to. I was playing injured. But I was so happy being out was so hard, seeing everything I had to go through and I couldn't help. So I didn't take, when I came back I tried not to take anything for granted. But I think kind of like before Paige came back we were starting to click as a team and Paige came back we were starting to feel almost whole again. Dorka is out now. Aubrey is still out. But I think we're really starting to -- we found our stride with each other.

Q. (Inaudible) did you sleep last night? (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I was exhausted but wide awake. I was still running on all those emotions and all the energy from the game. But once I hit the bed, I was knocked out. But this is all super surreal. I can't believe it.

Q. What's the moment with the (inaudible) a chance to help them overcome?

AZZI FUDD: Amazing. Just seeing, they were so excited. We were all excited after the game. But they were so excited. We were talking about what the plan was today. And they were, like, well, this is our first time. We wouldn't know what to expect for tomorrow. It was super cool. And I was so happy to be able to share these moments with them. And I'm excited for tomorrow.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I'm a Drake person. So anything Drake.

Q. (Question about practicing in front of the fans how neat that will be).

AZZI FUDD: I'm excited to practice before the fans. We haven't done anything like that this year. So I think it will be fun. I know a lot of people's families are coming. I think it will just be fun to see familiar and happy faces in the crowd.

Q. Probably see a lot of the same faces during pregame warmups and occasionally look up and see --

AZZI FUDD: 100 percent, yeah.

Q. During the course of the game how do you get mentally ready to play for the game (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I kind of just think like free throws. I mean, I've been doing this my whole life. I work on this in practice, on my own, my extra time. And like I'm ready for this moment. It's a free shot. Why not go take it. Why not go hit it.

Q. Here you are first (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: One, being in Minneapolis, like my second home. Seeing all this, seeing my family, every game. But seeing so much of my family here and then just being in this moment. This is the first time for everyone on the team. So it's super special. And knowing that no matter what, this is my last game with this particular group of girls. So I hate looking at it like that, but just another reason to go out and give it everything we have.

Q. (Question about family and friends).

AZZI FUDD: I have my brothers, my parents, my grandparents, my grandparents' siblings and their kids and close family friends and whole bunch of cousins. The list goes on.

Q. (Inaudible). Is that a physical thing? (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I think it's kind of just what we've gone through this whole year. I mean, almost everyone's been out at one game or another. And people have had to step up and gain confidence and play different roles they hadn't before. So it's prepared everyone for moments like this where anyone can go off on any certain night. And I think we're all prepared to do whatever it takes, whether it's me having more points, us having more points, getting more rebounds, locking in defensively, I think everyone is ready.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I did. Just not very well.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I think all of them have taught me different things. E has probably had one of the biggest impacts, just transitioning from just being a freshman and like gaining confidence, I think just even from summer, her leadership has impacted me on and off the floor. But I think all of them have taught -- all of us -- but like a lot. And I think one of the biggest things is them giving me confidence on the floor, me looking up to them like our seniors, our leaders. They've been to the Final Four and whatever before, but now we're all here together. And I'm super excited.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I mean, they just remind me shoot the ball. There will be certain times. I can't remember what game but there was one game when I was overthinking a little bit and Liv just patted me on the leg, you've got this. That meant a lot to me.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: Yes, they are.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I'm super excited to see. We have some great fans. I know some family is going to be there. It's going to be fun just to see some familiar faces in the crowd while we're shooting around. So I'm excited.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: Yes, this is something that you dream of. And it's so surreal. I can't believe. When I committed, this is where I hope to be playing in the national championship game. And I didn't really -- of course I wanted it to come true, but I never thought it would be like this so soon. And I'm super excited.

Q. We talked about playing against (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: It is. In the back of my mind a little. But I was not the player -- I was playing hurt. That me was not the me now. And I could say the same for our whole team. We're completely different. So I'm really excited just to see how different we are. I think this will be a good way to see just how far we've come as a team. So I'm excited.

Q. (Question about shots).

AZZI FUDD: I think it is hard to guard. I think that's part of why my shot is, I don't want to say so good, but I think that's just part of the reason why it's hard to guard is I can get it off so quick.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I don't.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I don't have much.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: No. We were at the hotel.

Q. How do you plan (inaudible) South Carolina athleticism will be a challenge for you personally? What's your mindset?

AZZI FUDD: My mindset's just to be aggressive. When the game starts we'll see what I get, if they'll give me any room to get 3s off. If not, then look to attack. And I think what that says, we've all had to step up and play different roles this season. I think we're all ready to, if my shot's not there I'll be able to drive. If not they take that away my teammates will be open for them to step up and do something.

Q. (Question about South Carolina).

AZZI FUDD: What do I take from that? I think it gives motivation just because like the outcome of that game. But we're a completely different team now. So I think we have a completely different mindset than we did then. We're not really looking at that game, taking anything too much to heart kind of, I guess. And we're so different. I think we're all super excited and ready to get out there.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: She's given us a lot. You can just -- I don't even know just watching having her back on the floor, it's kind of like a sense of security, like a sense of relief. Seeing the way she's been playing the last couple of games. We all know she has it in her, super exciting, one to get her back, getting back to her old self but then just I'm happy to see what she's doing.

Q. (Inaudible) what was that like? (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: She was devastated for sure. She texted me right when she found out. I was at my grandparents' and we were just trying to console her. We were like, can't play a game, let's do something. We went to Dave & Busters with the Suggs. It was a lot of fun. Obviously it wasn't her championship game, but it was something to take her mind off of it. We're super close and close to Jalen and so a lot of fun.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: We were. I don't remember. Probably me.

Q. I was in front of UConn parents, I could hear them loud and clear. Out on the court (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I can't. Sometimes I can. But last night I couldn't. It was too much. I was just trying to focus on the floor. I bet that was a great seat.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I definitely can feel their energy and their presence. And warm-ups I love looking at them. There's even times, I don't know if I should say this, at times at timeout I'll look at the JumboTron see my parents up there. I'm like stay focused I can't look up there.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: It does. I have a bunch of family here. Our fans and our parents are incredible to travel for us and cheer us so well for us, it's great.

Q. You've been to the free-throw line a lot a bunch of times, what's that moment like when you step up, the free throw?

AZZI FUDD: I try not to think of it as being nervous or anything. I'm up there, I just think I've got this. I've done this my whole life, shooting free throws my whole life. So I'm ready for this moment.

Q. Have you ever had (inaudible) a game, a shot at the end?

AZZI FUDD: I have in high school. But not like buzzer beaters.

Q. Are you the kind of person, hey, if you're the person that has the ball in their hands, you're willing to take that shot, make it?

AZZI FUDD: I am, yeah. But I think right now I would have confidence in just about everyone on our team to hit that shot right now.

Q. Curious about you.

AZZI FUDD: I have confidence.

Q. The team, everybody's contributed during this run, other than Paige going off on Monday it's been total team throughout this tournament and the postseason for that matter.

AZZI FUDD: It's bun a lot of fun, but it's also been really exciting to see everyone going off at different times, seeing buckets, what feels like the right moment and it's just so much fun. I'm so happy to see everyone doing well right now.

Q. (Inaudible) (question about being tough enough).

AZZI FUDD: Me, Caroline and Amari were talking about this this morning, memories popped up. It was exactly a year ago when we were here, not here, but San Antonio, watching the game. We were all kind of just shocked. We didn't know what was going on. We were waiting for UConn to go on a run and never came. And after the game we were, like, what just happened? But then we saw, all right, the season's over. High school's almost over. It's almost our time for us to join the program and be able to contribute.

And I think just everything we've been through this year has helped this team. And I've said this so many times but everything we've been through, everyone's had to step up in different ways and it's prepared us. It's given everyone confidence at different times. Prepared us for all these moments and it makes us so much harder to guard because everyone is confident now.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I think like Coach is just going to coach us no matter what, push us to make us better, which is why we all came here. So at those times when it was hardest, after the Bahamas, Christmas. I was hurt, I had to suffer on the side not being able to help. But looking back now in the moment it was super difficult. We leaned on each other for help on our teammates for help, but I think just the coaching staff did what they could to make us better and looking back that's what they did. I'm so grateful I wouldn't change anything.

Q. On the personality level what makes it fun to play for him?

AZZI FUDD: I knew it was going to be hard, but I wanted to be pushed. I wanted to come out of college being the best player I can be. And I know just that at UConn there's so much -- so many amazing players have come out of here done so well at the next level. That's what I want to do eventually. I just wanted to join the legacy, if you will, but also the players here, Paige, Caroline, I was close with them going in. And wanted to play with two of my best friends.

Q. (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: I think kind of like as he got to know me, coaches us all different, but all in the same fact that he doesn't settle for anything less than what he expects, high expectations, which is what I wanted.

Q. Not even remotely the same player that you were in that South Carolina game. You were hurt then, too?

AZZI FUDD: Yeah.

Q. Just playing through it at that point?

AZZI FUDD: I am not even close to the same player.

Q. Acclimated to college now, and you know more what your role is and what's expected of you?

AZZI FUDD: It's 100 percent stemmed from me playing injured, but I think on my hurt foot. All of the above. My confidence was wasn't there because I couldn't move. I couldn't move I wasn't confident in what I was doing. I was overthinking the plays and now it's just kind of like not that it wasn't fun before, but I was just so nervous and stressed about playing. And now it's just so much fun and I'm out there, I'm smiling all the time. I'm just happy to be there.

Q. How much does the stress build your confidence up, even if you're not making the jumpers and whatever you walk to the line it seems like you're just dialed in?

AZZI FUDD: I think it definitely helps. My teammates, I know that when I'm on the line they're relying on me to hit those shots, those 3-pointers. I expect myself, 3-pointers are something I've done since I've been working on I'm ready for it.

Q. Coach said last night that it was only the first time in 15 years he went back to being the old, really tough, demanding Geno after the South Carolina loss and that he had a week of hell for you guys. First of all, what do you remember about that? Did you guys practice that, or was your foot something -- how did your teammates respond to it?

AZZI FUDD: That was right when we got back, I was done, I was in a boot. I was off my foot. And that was the start, I think, that's what they call the hell week. I was miserable because I felt awful that I couldn't go through it with them and I couldn't give any support on the floor. I could just cheer them on from the side.

But practices were hard. It was everything needed to be like if not perfect, the very best, or else we'd do it again and again. And like I say, they were demanding. They were tired physically and emotionally. But I think in the moment it was pretty awful. But having gone through that, I think it's made everyone a lot better.

Q. Talk about coming in, your first year here, I know there were a lot of expectations with playing at UConn, but to this point it's got to be very exciting.

AZZI FUDD: It's super exciting. Super surreal. And I'm so excited and just happy to be here with this group of girls. I'm super excited.

Q. Coming out of high school and Paige (inaudible) your friendship with her, what did she do to kind of help quell those nerves coming into the program (inaudible) especially here in the NCAA Tournament?

AZZI FUDD: I talk to her a lot, I mean, about all that stuff. And she kind of just -- she like breaks it down, dumbs it down for me in a sense you can't think of it -- you can't be nervous about this stuff. But have fun with it. You've been doing this your whole life. You've been playing forever. Just have fun. Like I love everyone on this team. I'm close to everyone. Just have fun doing what you're doing and have fun with your teammates, that sort of thing.

Q. What does it mean that time before experience and (inaudible) or just something specific about the tournament (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: They have. Christyn, she's probably got so tired of me, we were roommates one time, I kept saying I can't believe it; I can't believe it. Yes, we're here. But she tells me all the time, this is going to be like one of the most incredible experiences you have, but just remember we're here for business; so have fun with it but stay focused.

Q. What are your ties to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area?

AZZI FUDD: Tons of family. I've been coming here since I was in my mom's stomach. I've never missed a state fair. My grandparents live here and all their family. I have countless cousins here. I come every summer.

Q. (Inaudible) what does she mean to you?

AZZI FUDD: She means a lot. I remember just coming for her state tournament games and the crowd she'd have there, the amount of fans, the little kids she'd have coming up to her after games was incredible to see. Now she's on an even higher and brighter stage. So to me just seeing like all the support she gets from the outside is incredible. And it's amazing the support she gets from Minneapolis. It's amazing we're back here playing.

Q. (Inaudible) what they've meant to you, Liv and you being a freshman (Inaudible).

AZZI FUDD: They've meant a lot. I've had so many bonding, different bonding moments with all of them. And I'm so grateful for this year. Coach said it the other day in the locker room, look around, this group, you'll never be in this moment again with this particular group. And that kind of hit me hard. And it made me want to cry a little bit. I'm never going to be with these girls again.

And I'm so grateful with the time I've had with them, and I'm so grateful to be able to keep making memories with them. And I think just looking at this game tomorrow, knowing that this will be my last game ever with this group of girls gives, like, extra motivation for me to go play my heart out.