Tara Talks

What have you liked most about your team's start to the season?
I think there's a lot to like, starting with the energy and enthusiasm. I like our assists and how we're sharing the ball and obviously we're shooting really well. I like the leadership on our team and not just from our captains. I like how the upperclassmen really help the freshmen learn the system and get up to speed. We're going to need them to compete for a Pac-12 championship and beyond. People are playing hard and many stay extra to work on their game which is a good thing. I like how well everyone gets along. It's fun to go to practice. I feel like we're improving a lot, but we have a long way to go. I think we have to be a better rebounding team and have to be a better defensive team, otherwise it'll really catch up with us, but we already know this.
 
Your team is shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor and is sixth nationally in field goal percentage. What has been the biggest reason behind the strong start from the field?
It's the whole idea of passing up a good shot to get a great shot. It's ball movement, it's trusting your teammates and understanding that no one individual is trying to get their points. Everyone is working really well together and being very unselfish. They realize that it's all about the team and that's the sole focus. That was our whole point all spring, summer and fall. It's the same things that you read about the Warriors - winning teams are about the team.
 
Has anything about this group surprised you thus far?
I don't think anything is surprising, but I'm glad that people are catching on really quickly because we're doing a lot of different things. We're a team that plays the best at the end of the season because we do a lot of stuff and it takes time for people to really get the in groove.
 
How deep is this team?
We realize how important everyone is to our team success. There's not anyone that can't go in the game and contribute. Whereas there might have been teams where you played six or seven and that was pretty much it, now we're trying to play a lot of people. When you get into some really tight games and you're counting on more execution, some of our younger players just aren't quite ready for that, but hopefully they will be in another month or two.
 
How excited are you for Bird to play in Bakersfield tonight?
We said we'd do this when she decided to come to Stanford so she's waited awhile for this game. I hope that she is relaxed and has fun and doesn't put pressure on herself being in front of her family and friends. I hope our team understands how important it is to her and that we play well together. I want everyone to play with confidence and have fun.