Auburn Press Conference Quotes
March 21, 2008
Head Coach Nell Fortner
(On playing in the NCAA Tournament) We’re very excited about being in the NCAA Tournament. It’s this group of players’ first time to play in the tournament and we’re looking forward to playing George Washington. We played them once this season already (68-66 on Jan. 3 at Auburn). They beat us at the buzzer on a three so we’re looking forward to the opportunity to play them again. But to play in the NCAA tournament and have the opportunity to compete for a championship is very exciting.
(On traveling west) We’re excited about coming west. First of all it’s beautiful out here. It was a five-hour flight but when we got here we went straight to practice and were able to get our legs back under us and we had a good practice. So the adjustment, I think, is easier coming this way than actually going the other way. But it’s only an hour difference going the other way but you’re dealing with this kind of weather, it helps your overall mood I think, but it hasn’t been a problem.
(On facing George Washington again) There’s definitely an advantage in the sense that you’ve already played them so the coaches are familiar, the players are familiar, you have a lot of scouting already done. It gives you an opportunity to re-familiarize your team with George Washington. I think the disadvantage is that you have played each other. Just the opposite side of the coin on that one. They know our players and I’m sure they’re doing things to take some things away from them but we’re doing the same thing. So I don’t think it’s good or bad one way or the other. It just is what it is. It’s like any other game during the season that you’ve played somebody before and you’re just playing them again.
(On the team playing on the national stage) There’s a few (conversations) but not a lot because they’ve been playing games since they were in the sixth grade, so it’s not like they haven’t been in exciting atmospheres and big games before. We’ve had a few conversations about how this is what we play for. This is why you go to college on a basketball scholarship is to try to win championships and you have to get to the tournament first to get that opportunity. I think they picked up on that real quick just from the time seeing our name come up on the bracket last Monday night. They’ve been building on that excitement and being here the day before the game. This is where kids just kick it up to another level and figure it out themselves in a large part. We help them a little bit but they’re players and they want to play in big time atmospheres and they’re going to get that opportunity.
Guard DeWanna Bonner:
(On traveling out west) The flight was like five hours, which was pretty long, but I’ve been having a heck of a time out here. A lot of us have family out here so we have great support. Like coach said, it’s beautiful, but we’ve been getting a lot of sleep. That’s a good thing because at home, we wake up at 9:30, it’s kind of early. But here you wake up at 9:30, it’s really 11:30 our time. So that’s not bad.
(On the team playing on the national stage) I’m just happy to be here. I feel that’s what my teammates feel too. It’s our first time ever to experience something like this. It’s definitely making a name for ourselves with Auburn playing on national TV. This is our first time playing on ESPN so that’ll be great, give a lot of fans the chance to watch us. It’s not anything for myself, it’s just as a team and Auburn in general.
Forward Jordan Greenleaf:
(On traveling west) As far as time-wise, we get sleepy real early but then we wake up early. But like coach said it’s great out here. I think it’s beautiful and we adjusted real well to the time.
Guard Sherell Hobbs:
(On her role in the offense) I just think my role is to be consistent and hit open shots and not just get afraid to score. Just be consistent every game to help my team win.
