KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee redshirt senior Mercedes Russell and freshman Evina Westbrook met with members of the media before practice on Wednesday. The No. 12/13 Lady Vols (17-4, 5-3 SEC) are preparing to host No. 14/12 Texas A&M (17-5/6-2) on Thursday.
Answering questions from the media, Russell discussed how preparation for the Aggies is going and how the team addressed the loss at LSU. Westbrook talked about her role within Tennessee’s offense and what elements will be key in the rematch against Texas A&M.
The top-15 matchup is scheduled to tip off at 6:32 p.m. and will be carried by the SEC Network.
Tennessee Redshirt Senior Mercedes Russell
On practice yesterday:
“Yesterday, I think we had a really good practice. We came in and focused. We had really good energy. I expect the same thing today… We worked on a lot of stuff. Obviously, (we worked on) defense, but we worked on our offense too and got a lot of shots up.”
On losing the rebound battle in the past two games:
“I think at LSU, we just didn’t play hard. I think that was the first game where I can actually say that we didn’t play hard as a team. Against Mississippi State, we were just missing box outs left and right. I think boxing out is definitely going to be huge for us against Texas A&M.”
On the difference between the first fifteen games compared to the last six games:
“We were playing really hard. We lost a couple games, but we played hard. We just let it slip from us at the end. Against LSU, it was one of those games where we didn’t play hard at all. We just have to get back at playing hard the full 40 minutes.”
On what was discussed as a team after the loss:
“We talked a lot about defense; that’s going to have to be a key for us every game. Great defenses can still shoot poorly and win games. I think that just making defense a priority and boxing out, that’s definitely important for us.”
On the mood of the team:
“We are good. We have good energy and good spirits. I think we are excited for the rest of the season. We take it one game at a time, but I think we have good spirits.”
On taking it one possession at a time:
“That is definitely smart basketball. I think one possession at a time is key. Obviously, you can’t have missed possessions on defense and then come down and have missed possessions on offense. One possession at a time is really smart basketball.”
On the first Texas A&M game:
“We gave them too many o-boards, which led to second-chance points. We didn’t really stop the ball in transition, which led to easy baskets for them. Obviously, boxing out is going to be huge for us, but also containing their guards.”
On the advantage of playing a tough stretch:
“I think we have learned a lot these past six games. I think we are going to learn from it and get better every day.”
On playing Texas A&M again:
“We have been looking forward to it. They gave us our first loss of the season. It’s going to be a huge game for us. Defense is going to be huge for us. We have to come in with a lot of energy and effort.”
Tennessee Freshman Evina Westbrook
On looking at the previous Texas A&M game:
“I looked back at it a lot, especially me and coach. After the game, she told me we still have a lot of games left to play. Even our seniors told me it’s a team sport, and it’s a team game, so we just had to move on.”
On what they need to do differently:
“I think it starts in practice. Yesterday, we had a really good practice. It brought back good vibes and the team spirit we had in the beginning.”
On the lack of effort during the LSU game:
“The LSU game wasn’t really us. We had a really good talk yesterday before practice between the coaches and the team. We’re just excited to get back out there.”
On the tone of yesterday’s practice:
“We just talked among ourselves and talked about what we need to improve.”
On the team’s confidence:
“I think we needed this. We aren’t going to win every game, but it was an eye-opener to us because we don’t want to be in this place. We need to continue to work harder now that the season moves forward so past (mistakes) don’t happen again.”
On how winning would raise the confidence of the team:
“I think it’s going to bring our team a lot closer together on the court and off the court. We are just going to be moving forward.”
On taking on the role of distributor:
“That is my job. Definitely as a point guard, (my job is) to get everyone involved and get the ball to whoever has the hot hand. That’s just my job.”
On the biggest key to beating Texas A&M:
“Definitely, the defensive end, just making smart plays. Every play counts. We locked in on that at practice. On the defensive end and the offensive end, every possession matters.”
On what the focus has been in practice:
“I think energy, just coming in with the highest amount of energy that we can possibly. Also, not slowing down as practice goes on because that’s how our games have been. We start off really well, and then our energy kind of drops. So maintaining that energy level (is key).”
On the emotion of losing to Texas A&M earlier in the season:
“It kind of hurt. Our coaches are telling us we aren’t going to win every game, but at the same time, we could have won that game, and we should have won. This is our time to redeem ourselves.”
On the added confidence of playing Texas A&M:
“We are at home with the home crowd. We are going to get them back.”
On Evina Westbrook‘s family coming to the game:
“My mom and brother (are coming to the game). They don’t get to see me play a lot, but I just have to continue to play my game.”
-UT Athletics
