Dawn Staley postgame press conference as South Carolina advances to Elite 8 with win

[0:00] Coach, if we could have you open with a statement [0:02] on your thoughts about today's game. [0:05] First, I just want to congratulate Oklahoma [0:07] on a great year. [0:08] We're very fortunate that, fortunate and unfortunate, [0:12] that we at least have an SEC team and an Elite Eight, [0:16] at least one. [0:18] Actually, we got Texas, right? [0:21] Is that it for right now? [0:25] OK, so I mean, I attribute us advancing just playing [0:31] in the type of league that we play in. [0:33] It prepares you. [0:36] It prepares you to be able to continue to advance. [0:39] It is unfortunate that we end up having [0:42] to play one of our very own. [0:47] The good thing about it is one of us [0:48] will be representing the league in the Elite Eight. [0:55] As a reminder, we'd like to have questions for the student [0:58] athletes first, so we can get them excused and back [1:00] to the locker room. [1:01] So please raise your hand, and we'll acknowledge you. [1:03] Right down here, we'll start first. [1:05] Actually, we'll start right here first, [1:06] then we'll go back to you. [1:06] Right back over here. [1:10] Hold on one second. [1:11] He's getting turned on. [1:12] You're good. [1:21] Yeah, I was feeling really good tonight. [1:24] I woke up on the right side of the bed. [1:26] My teammates and my coaches, they believed in me. [1:28] So I just had to go out there with confidence. [1:30] And yeah, that was a game plan. [1:34] To the right side over here with the pink tie. [1:38] And then we'll come back over here. [1:44] It's turned on here. [1:54] Just curious what your feeling is when every time you [1:58] look at the sideline and see Dawn, [1:59] she's wearing a shirt with your face on it. [2:01] And just how do you, what's the experience [2:02] of playing through that? [2:06] Yeah. [2:07] She's my beautiful self, my new shirt. [2:11] I say, I'm happy she's wearing my shirt. [2:14] And yeah, I mean, she has a beautiful person on her chest. [2:22] OK, back over to the left side, Joe. [2:26] Hi, Raven. [2:26] Joe Davidson, Sacramento B. Have you guys played your best game [2:30] yet up over here? [2:32] Have you, do you still have the capability [2:34] of upping your game, the whole team? [2:35] And are you encouraged by that too? [2:38] Oh, yes. [2:39] We have a lot of room to grow. [2:40] And I think we're growing at the right time. [2:43] It's crazy, because our bigs, I mean, they can do more. [2:47] I mean, I thought they did really good what they was, [2:51] what, OK, they took what they were given. [2:55] And I think they did a really good job of that. [2:57] But I think we have a lot of room to grow. [2:59] And everybody's clicking. [3:00] I feel like the ceiling is high for us, so. [3:04] OK, back to the right side. [3:09] Testing. [3:09] OK, cool. [3:10] We're on. [3:11] You both played really strong games. [3:13] And I'm just thinking about how last March, tonight, you [3:16] entered the portal. [3:17] Now you're here playing alongside Raven. [3:19] Do you ever have a moment of, like, oh, my gosh, [3:21] this is so cool we're doing this together, [3:23] thinking about being teammates way back [3:25] when in high school and in your childhoods to now? [3:27] Yeah, it's such a surreal moment. [3:29] I mean, we kept in touch while I was at Florida State. [3:32] So being on the sideline, being next to her, even in practice, [3:35] it's just like, dang, I'm playing with my best [3:37] friend from high school. [3:39] We cherish the moments that we have on the floor. [3:40] And we hope to win a championship together. [3:43] It's just a blessing to be together in our last year [3:45] together. [3:47] Left side. [3:48] Matthew Walter from the Nine Sports. [3:50] Raven, I want to ask you about a moment in the second quarter [3:54] where you're on the sideline about to check in. [3:56] And Maddie McDaniel is running a play. [3:57] And you are talking to her, even though you're on the sideline. [4:00] And just the leadership that you've seen in yourself [4:03] grow and develop that, even in those moments [4:05] when you're not in the game, you can still lead this team [4:07] and still help these younger guards and this whole group [4:09] be better. [4:10] What is it about you that's been able to find that moment [4:12] and find those situations? [4:15] I've been here, what, four, five? [4:17] Well, five times now. [4:18] Five times. [4:19] And I think, you know, it's experience. [4:20] Experience does matter. [4:22] And I think using my voice goes a long way. [4:24] They listen. [4:25] And you know, when Maddie's on the floor, I try to calm her down. [4:27] She's next up. [4:29] And I think she do a really good job of learning and leading us, too. [4:32] So. [4:34] Hi, Kendra in the front. [4:35] Hi, Kendra Andrews, ESPN. [4:37] You guys, your offense through these first three games [4:40] of this tournament have just been very high producing. [4:43] And Raven, you said you still think that you guys can get to another level. [4:46] So two-part question. [4:48] What has felt so good about your guys' offense so far [4:51] through this tournament? [4:52] And then what has to happen for you to unlock that next level up? [4:57] I think we're being patient in our offense. [4:59] I think everyone is sharing the ball. [5:00] We're making the right reads. [5:02] Like first options, you always going to have that shot on a fifth, sixth option. [5:06] I think Coach has been emphasizing that in practice. [5:08] And I think they do a really good job of being on our butts [5:10] in practice about that. [5:11] So I think y'all seeing the results of how they are with us in practice. [5:17] For both of you, Raven and Tania, with the years at Westlake included, [5:21] was this the best game that you all played together? [5:24] No. [5:25] Not the best. [5:28] I think it was like Geico Nationals. [5:30] She had like 25. [5:32] I had like 26. [5:33] Yeah, it was like a monster game for both of us. [5:36] What about the defense? [5:38] The defense? [5:38] We was turning everybody over. [5:45] Back on the right. [5:47] Emma Bachelary, Sports Illustrated. [5:50] Raven, watching Tania have this kind of game after playing the role you did [5:54] and bringing her here and having the history you have, [5:56] how did you feel watching her do this on this stage? [5:59] I was just telling her how proud of her I am. [6:02] What she did today, and I was like, I feel like I did that. [6:05] I'm so happy. [6:06] When I see the ball go in for her, I'm like, yes, my eyes get big. [6:10] All the things she's been through, I mean, Tania's like a hard worker. [6:13] She does things. [6:14] She also believes in God a lot. [6:17] She prays a lot, and she always tells me to let go, let God a lot. [6:20] And whatever is meant for you is meant for you. [6:23] So I mean, we talk a lot, not just about basketball, about life things. [6:26] And I think Tania, I think she deserves everything that's coming her way. [6:31] So. [6:32] And this is just the beginning, I think, so. [6:36] On the left side. [6:37] This one's for both of you. [6:39] Coach just talked about the defense, but tonight you guys really [6:41] made Aliyah Chavez and the other guards from Oklahoma's life [6:44] really, really difficult. [6:45] What was it about this matchup that you guys really said, hey, [6:49] we got to go in and put in our best effort defensively? [6:51] Because it's the only third time all year they've been held under 70 points. [6:57] Yeah, we didn't do that the first time we played them, [6:59] so we had to make that adjustment. [7:01] We didn't do that until the last two minutes of the last game. [7:04] So we knew we had to come out, start to finish, [7:06] and we had to hit with the first punch. [7:08] We had to make everything difficult for Chavez. [7:10] She's a really good freshman. [7:11] We know that she can shoot the ball, [7:13] but we just tried to make it hard for all their guards. [7:17] Right in front. [7:18] Doug Feinberg, the AP. [7:19] Tania, this is your first real run in the NCAA tournament. [7:22] What has it been like for you playing your first Sweet 16 [7:24] and have the success you did today? [7:26] It's been fun. [7:27] I've had a good time. [7:29] My teammates, they give me confidence. [7:31] Coming in, I feel a certain sense of calmness, [7:34] because they have that confidence walking in with their head [7:37] high. [7:38] I feel good coming in with my head high. [7:40] So I feel like I approached that game this way, [7:42] and they just give me so much confidence, [7:45] and I'm just happy to be here. [7:48] Any more questions for our student athletes? [7:51] One more question on the left. [7:52] This will be the last question. [7:55] Marcus D. Smith, USA Today Sports. [7:58] What do you make of your South Carolina fans in the stands [8:01] today? [8:02] I mean, they're just loud from the beginning to the end, [8:04] cheering for you guys. [8:04] What do you make of that? [8:08] I'm just happy that they're here to support us. [8:10] I mean, I know it cost a lot to come here and support. [8:13] They traveled across the country for us. [8:15] So just seeing the fans out there, [8:17] and seeing our parents and our siblings out there, [8:19] it means a lot. [8:20] And it definitely gives us energy. [8:22] So yeah, I'm just thankful for them coming. [8:25] Yeah, that's normal. [8:26] That's what they do. [8:27] No more fans in the country. [8:29] That's what we call them, the fans. [8:33] Great. [8:33] Thank you very much. [8:33] Congratulations, and good luck on Monday. [8:35] Thank you. [8:36] All right. [8:46] Questions for Coach Daley? [8:47] There, the hands go up. [8:48] We'll start one, two, three, four. [8:51] OK. [8:51] One here. [8:52] Dawn, after the guards gave you the hot start, [8:55] there were quite a few people. [8:55] There were a few possessions where [8:56] you all took it deep into the shot clock, [8:58] and then somebody else would hit. [9:00] Was that by design or necessity? [9:02] No, by design. [9:03] I think when we have advantageous basketball, [9:06] we need to play what's given to us. [9:11] And if we don't, then we want to just [9:13] be a little bit more patient, see [9:14] if we can get a couple of reversals, [9:16] and get maybe some easier looks. [9:18] Because a lot of times, defenses are impatient. [9:24] And if you can wait a little bit longer, [9:26] you can get cleaner looks. [9:27] And everybody feels good because they've touched the ball. [9:33] Coach, I'm watching you and Raven interact right now [9:35] as Tanaya's talking. [9:37] And I asked you yesterday just about how much she means to you. [9:40] But in a moment like this, for her [9:42] to have a game like this and her leadership, [9:43] and I watched her on the all game today just lead and lead [9:46] in different moments. [9:47] You asked her to slow down. [9:48] You asked her to run a set. [9:49] Just how much has she meant to this group and her ability [9:52] to lead in moments like this? [9:53] Because she's been here a million times. [9:55] I mean, I'm super happy for Raven. [9:57] Raven's been through a lot. [9:58] And she's standing strong today. [10:01] And she's performing at a high level, which we all know. [10:05] She was capable of playing at this level. [10:07] But she sacrificed a lot of her beginnings [10:12] and actually some of her end of her South Carolina career [10:17] by just being a giver, just being a winner, [10:20] and making winning plays. [10:21] And fortunately for us, we need her to score. [10:24] We really do need her as a part of taking really good shots, [10:29] and I think the game has slowed down for her enough [10:33] to where she knows where she needs to implant herself [10:38] in scoring the basketball for us. [10:40] And today was just beautiful for her to see, [10:42] just her taking those shots. [10:44] Because the times that she's had a core group of players, [10:50] like the Camillas and like the Freshies, [10:52] like when she's had those group of players, [10:55] she was probably the fifth option. [10:57] And she didn't mind being the fifth option. [10:59] She's probably option number one. [11:00] She's probably option number two or three [11:02] in the depth chart of getting shots. [11:05] But she can manufacture her own shot at this point. [11:07] So I'm just happy she played efficiently. [11:10] She's leading. [11:12] I mean, she's leading beyond the game. [11:15] She's leading in shoot around. [11:16] She's leading at the hotel, because she wants to win. [11:20] And she wants everybody to all be on the same page [11:22] and having that winning attitude. [11:26] Back to the right side. [11:27] Jack Church, Her Hoop Stats. [11:29] Dawn, how would you categorize a Medina [11:31] Ocott's impact on this game, especially [11:32] with the tough matchup inside she had? [11:35] You know, Medina, to me, is probably [11:38] one of her stronger games, just from a mental standpoint. [11:42] The last time we played Oklahoma was just she [11:44] was on a mental struggle bus. [11:47] It was the whole pressure of playing for us [11:52] and having to perform at a high level for us. [11:55] She didn't get the points that she probably wanted to get. [11:59] But the rebounding. [12:01] Like. [12:01] She's able to turn a page and know [12:03] that her contributions in other areas help us win. [12:09] So I mean, I like where she is right now. [12:14] I like the fact that she just wants to win. [12:18] She's Raven's roommate for a reason. [12:20] And she's starting to just talk like Raven [12:23] about just making an impact and just wanting to win. [12:27] Left side. [12:28] Coach, Joe Davidson, Sacramento. [12:30] It seems like you have such a good balance [12:31] where your kids play hard. [12:32] They're disciplined. [12:34] They take it serious. [12:35] But you get fun with wearing Raven's shirt. [12:39] How do you balance that? [12:40] And is it healthy to have some fun when it's so serious, too? [12:44] I mean, it is. [12:45] I mean, they're young people that [12:48] have a lot on their plate. [12:50] And they have a lot of people coming at them, wanting things. [12:55] They want things. [12:57] And I think for us and how we've operated at South Carolina, [13:00] we just got to prioritize and we got to compartmentalize. [13:04] I mean, there's a place for everybody. [13:05] There's a place for everything that you want to do. [13:09] I mean, it's about prioritizing. [13:11] For me, they probably call me a little bit of Dr. Jekyll [13:15] and Mr. Hyde because I give each moment its place. [13:19] If I feel like laughing in the middle of practice, [13:21] I'm going to crack up. [13:22] But I can turn it off to get back into where we were. [13:25] And I think they've probably taken a little bit out of that. [13:29] I want them to be who they are. [13:31] And that's not always being serious. [13:34] It's not. [13:35] You know, always being in the gym. [13:39] There's a balance to everything that we do. [13:41] We just try to prepare them for life. [13:43] And life isn't just one dimensional. [13:47] Right here in the front. [13:48] Don Kendrick, Andrews ESPN. [13:50] Your players are saying how they're still next level. [13:54] There's still room to grow. [13:56] And the point differential that you've [13:57] put up against your opponents so far is quite a large one. [14:00] So where do you see room to grow as you head into the Elite 8? [14:04] And where do you want to see your players improve? [14:06] You know, I'd like for us to be a little bit better at putting [14:13] the ball in the paint and scoring. [14:15] I mean, we're used to having a dominant post that [14:18] can alleviate some of the pressures that [14:20] are happening, especially in the half court. [14:24] I think we could be more patient offensively for better looks. [14:29] Like, if the paint is crowded, no need [14:33] to put that ball in one of our bigs hands for them. [14:37] For everybody to collapse on them. [14:39] If we'd let the offense run a little bit more, [14:42] they could probably get easier looks where there's maybe not [14:46] two and three sets of hands digging at the ball. [14:49] It's just one. [14:50] And you can play a little bit better efficient basketball [14:54] when you're just dealing with one person. [14:56] We have time for a couple more questions. [14:58] And we'll try and get to everybody if we can. [14:59] But right back here and then back in the corner. [15:02] Jack Dan, State Hornet. [15:03] Coach, we saw a huge improvement in the three point shooting [15:06] today as opposed to the last couple of games. [15:08] What fuels? [15:08] What fueled that improvement? [15:09] How can you sustain it going forward? [15:12] I mean, we got some good shooting in here. [15:16] I mean, we took the shoot around today. [15:19] We practiced an hour yesterday. [15:21] And we really just wanted to make sure [15:23] that we can break the balls in and we [15:25] can understand how that ball is coming off the rim. [15:30] I mean, it had a new smell. [15:32] I mean, the gym was new. [15:33] The floor was new. [15:36] And our coaches do a really good job [15:38] at staying routine in the type of shots that we get in the game. [15:43] And we were able to do that twice over the past couple of days. [15:47] And I thought it really helped us. [15:50] Final question in the back corner. [15:52] Coach, Mark Haines, Sacramento Observer. [15:55] Want to test your memory about when you played here [15:58] back in the day against the Sacramento Monarchs. [16:01] What do you remember about the atmosphere [16:04] at that time during your playing days? [16:08] I mean, this was one of the. [16:09] This was one of the arenas that really got loud, [16:12] that really actually created a home court advantage [16:16] to the point of, I mean, you guys had a really great team [16:20] that you won a WNBA championship. [16:23] So when you can create a home court advantage, [16:25] you create opportunities for you to win and win big. [16:29] So I do remember it being rocking in here when I played. [16:33] That was a really long time ago. [16:37] Thank you very much, Coach. [16:38] And best of luck on Monday. [16:39] Thank you. [16:40] Thank you. [16:40] Welcome for South Carolina's Open.