2026 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 4, 2026

Brandon Schneider

Jaliya Davis

Elle Evans

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Kansas Jayhawks

Postgame Press Conference

Kansas - 56, UCF - 35

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider and student-athletes Elle Evans and Jaliya Davis. Coach, if you would open it up with a couple of comments.

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: It probably wasn't what the fans paid for from an offensive perspective, but I thought the two teams competed really hard. Great examples late in the game when you have multiple players from both teams dive on the floor at center court for a loose ball.

So proud of our bunch and excited to be able to move on to the next round.

Q. Jaliya, this is your first Big 12 Conference game. What a performance. How do you feel you did? And what did your coach do to get you ready for this moment?

JALIYA DAVIS: I mean, I don't think I really performed how I wanted to perform today. But, I mean, just getting out those jitters today, first game I've ever played here. So just being able to go out there tomorrow and do my thing.

Q. Coach, you talked about it not being what the fans might have expected from an offensive side, but you guys played a lot of 2-3 zone tonight. How much of their offense dictated you going to the 2-3?

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: I think two things -- we felt we could have some success in it. And number two, trying to save some legs a little bit, being hopeful that we were able to play tomorrow. So just trying to do everything we can to move out, move through a round.

Q. Jaliya, going up against Summer, someone you're familiar with being from the Kansas City area, how much fun was that?

JALIYAH DAVIS: It's really fun. I mean I grew up with her and I played with her on Missouri Phenom. So just being able to go out there and play against somebody who I'm so close with, it's really a cool experience.

Q. In the second quarter you shot 20 percent from the field. What was kind of going through your mind there? And then what was the message to the team after that struggling quarter?

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: Well, you know, it's probably our lowest -- we lead the league in field goal percentage. And for us to shoot it as poorly as we did, I don't think we had great rhythm. A lot of it early is they weren't guarding, you know, the high post flash. They were really playing off of us and fronting and backed Jaliya. And we flashed out of space. When we probably could have caught it at 15. We were catching it at 18, 19. And those aren't really shots that we could consider to be the best looks for us.

Q. Coach, 29 points off the bench tonight between Brittany, Elle, Laia -- just what did you see from your reserves tonight that really helped you pull out this win?

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: Well it's an incredibly important unit. I think as you really evaluate our team, and when we have success it's not just Jaliya and S'Mya. We obviously know the caliber of player that those two are, but we're not going to win games at this level just relying on those two. So it's great to see other people step up and contribute, not only offensively, but I thought they all played really well on the defensive end too.

Q. You guys held UCF to 35 points. Can you tell me about your defensive strategy and how that changed throughout the game?

ELLE EVANS: Yeah, I think, we kind of touched on it, we kind of knew that shooting the 3 is not one of their strengths. So I think we played the 2-3 zone well, but I think they focus in a lot on their bigs. So I think we had a lot of focus-in on that in our prep. But I think we executed well. Holding a team to, whatever it was, 35 I think, is pretty good.

Q. Coming up against Colorado, last time you played them went overtime, obviously lost that one. What do you remember from that game? And what are you expecting out of them for tomorrow?

ELLE EVANS: It wasn't our prettiest performance, kind of like tonight. So I know that we can be a lot better in a lot of different aspects. I think we fouled a lot the first time we played them. So I think we just need to be defensively better in that position.

Q. Jaliya, I guess this is your first time obviously playing in the Big 12 Tournament. Opportunity to win five games in five days. What's your kind of mindset going into that? And, Elle, for you obviously last time around, it's kind of win or get in at this point. What are you both of your mindsets heading in just for the rest of the tournament?

JALIYA DAVIS: I think I'm not only playing just for myself. I mean we have so many seniors on our team, so just playing for them. It could be the last time playing here, so just being able to go out there every single game and execute.

ELLE EVANS: I think obviously we play for someone, for like something bigger than ourselves every single night. But I think for all of us, just leave it out there with no regrets. Just give everything you have every single possession, I think that's something we're all going to do. We're excited to keep it going.

Q. Jaliya and Elle, what was it like playing on the glass court tonight? Did you notice any difference are from like a normal court?

ELLE EVANS: I mean it was cool. I think it's a cool idea. I will say it was a little slip in some areas but you kind a got used to it.

JALIYA DAVIS: I'd say the same thing. I thought it was really cool, kind of cool concept, something that's not really been done much.

Q. Brandon, you talked earlier about saving legs with the 2-3 zone. How much were your substitution patterns in the second half also for the same purpose?

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: Well, I think with having a lead we were able to play more people. And, again, we just wanted to be mindful of it. Ultimately the goal is to win the game, but through the process of it if you can consider, you know, having to turn around and play another game tomorrow at 8:00 at night, I think you have to make smart decisions.

Q. Just for everyone, not many fast-break points between either team. Was that the game plan, to go in and just kind of slow the game down and just kind of play y'all's way?

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: Not really. We actually, in Orlando, I thought did a much better job in transition. We got several rim runs out of multiple players. Tonight I just think that the game was just so choppy that we weren't able to get those opportunities, but we always want to be opportunistic in transition.

Q. For everyone, when you have a shooting night like this where you go through droughts and ebbs and flows, what do you expect from your players? And from players, what do you all kind of say to each other once you are going through those things?

ELLE EVANS: I think in moments when offensively like things aren't going well, I think that's when you really have to rely on your defense, and I think that we did that tonight, but obviously it's frustrating. But we know our shots are going to fall eventually. It might not be tonight but it will be tomorrow. I think just staying confident and focusing on the defensive end.

JALIYA DAVIS: I think when you're not making shots, it's hard to keep your energy up. I think it's important to emphasize that, just to go out on the other side of the floor and make a impact on defense.

Q. Jaliya, as you look forward to tomorrow, what are you looking forward to in the match-up with Jade Masogayo with Colorado?

JALIYA DAVIS: I think kind of just looking forward to just playing against her again. Last time I didn't perform exactly how I wanted to perform, a lot of fouls were called. Just going out there doing what I know how to do.

Q. How much of the game plan will be around Masogayo's offense?

BRANDON SCHNEIDER: I think they're a complete team. They run all their Princeton actions at a really high level with a great pace. I think from a defensive perspective, we put them at the free-throw line 39 times, which is very unlike us. We also had 29 turnovers. So I think there's things both offensively and defensively we can do better, but they're a terrific team. They've had an outstanding season.