NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - GEORGIA VS FLORIDA STATE

March 16, 2023

Makayla Timpson

Erin Howard

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Florida State Seminoles

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We would like to welcome Erin Howard and Makayla Timpson. Questions for student-athletes.

Q. We've just been advised that a couple of your players, including your all-American, are not going to be able to play. How does that change your team?

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: I mean, it's going to be challenging, but we still feel pretty confident going into the game.

Like obviously losing a scoring guard and point guard, but we still got other people that's going to have to step up for us and we feel pretty confident. To go off what she said, there is no secret about how much Ta'Niya contributed this season, so it's a loss, but again, we're excited to be here and the opportunity, so we just got to make up for what they do and contribute to the team.

We're excited to be here and ready for both of these games.

Q. What stands out about Georgia on film?

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: They are a pretty good rebounding team, and also get the ball on the inside. So pretty strong on the inside. They don't shoot as many threes, average three threes a game, but just got to be able to contribute on the inside. Guards got to help us rebound, and it's going to be pretty physical tomorrow.

ERIN HOWARD: Yeah, I would say rebounding especially. They really want to score on the inside. They're a big team, SEC team, good defensive team, so we know what we're going up against. Mainly defense and the rebounding.

Q. To either of you, is this your first time in Iowa? Overall impressions of being here?

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: Yeah, this is my first time in Iowa, first time being here. It's pretty cool seeing the surroundings. Just different. Kind of look like back home, but not really. Got more buildings and everything than where I'm from in Georgia.

But I like it and it's going to be a good experience for me.

ERIN HOWARD: I'm from Wisconsin, so not my first time in Iowa. Been up here a few times.

Q. Erin, you played AAU basketball with McKenna Warnock, right?

ERIN HOWARD: Yeah.

Q. What's she like as a player and?

ERIN HOWARD: McKenna is great. Actually hung out with her a little bit last night. She's from the same city as me back home in Madison. Went to high school about 15 minutes from each other.

She is a really good friend. She's great. We keep in touch. One of the main AAU teammates I've kept in touch with to this point.

But she's great. We're looking forward to hopefully getting to that second round like they are so we can have that matchup. She is a great person and player, so excited to get down here and see her again.

Q. Georgia, as I understand it, plays a lot of the matchup zone. How do you guys think you'll handle that? What sort of the things do you have to do to attack it?

ERIN HOWARD: Well, they do play mainly zone the whole game, so just using our event offense. Hopefully our three-point shooters can be hot tomorrow and knock down some shots to open up the floor, attack in the middle of their zone.

But just everyone has to be able to contribute 1 through 5.

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: Yeah, I would say utilizing the high post. Like high post lashes and everything. You can get the ball on the inside, but it's going to be physical. We going to have to finish through some contact and not look for a call from the refs, so...

Q. Makayla, what's it like or is there any added meaning when you're playing as a Georgia native against Georgia?

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: Not really. I mean, we scrimmaged against Georgia last year. Like it's nothing to it. Just got to go in and play against some competition. That's all I can say about it.

Q. Having scrimmaged with them last year, much different team this year. Do you see any similarities, or has Coach Abe really had a different kind of method to it or style to it?

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: I really wouldn't know because, I mean, it's going to be our first time playing them since last scrimmage like a year ago. So I wouldn't know.

But they play zone and stuff, which is different. They weren't like that last year I would say. Mainly focusing on the inside, getting the ball on the inside. I don't think they are like that last year either.

ERIN HOWARD: I would say the same. Again, I feel like Georgia and SEC teams are always bigger teams, bigger on the inside. Really defensive presence as well. So I feel like that carried over from last year to this year. They have new players and new weapons, but other than that I feel like they're pretty similar.

THE MODERATOR: Any additional questions from our media here? We have one question online.

Q. With eight players, how you pace yourself to play all four quarters?

ERIN HOWARD: We have had ten players all year. We've had a small -- it's a small roster, but we've been here before. We've had eight players, honestly like the first half of the season. We play fast. There is no secret to the way we play. I don't think there really us pacing ourselves. We just have to be mentally tough and go in knowing that most people are going to play 20 plus minutes and just be mentally prepared.

So I don't really think there is a pace we have to change at all, but just knowing we all have to contribute and be ready to go out there and give our best.

We been here before.

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: Yeah, I would say the same thing. I mean, just some of our guards are going to play more minutes than usual, but that's going to be kind of normal. Other than that, we are still going to keep the same pace we been playing all year. No need in slowing down and playing like who we not are.

THE MODERATOR: All right, ladies, thanks for joining us today.

MAKAYLA TIMPSON: Thank you.

ERIN HOWARD: Thank you.