all right, is everybody ready? We're going to open up with a brief statement and coach and then we'll take some questions after that.
Yeah, appreciate you guys coming out. Definitely not the Indian that we wanted. You know, I felt like there was probably a lot of emotion for our players. I know how bad they wanted it. But we had some really good looks early that we just for whatever reason, the rooms were tight, we were tied in and had some shots that did fall for us. But really, when you look at the totality of the game, our our inability to to not allow the second shots and you know, they were the way they scored off our turnovers really hurt us. I think that combined for 36 points of turnovers and second chance points. I thought, you know, the half court defensively we did some really nice things and they really took advantage of the second shot opportunities. And you know, it's not for lack of effort. I thought our players played really hard are seniors mean a lot to us. We really wanted to get it done for them for these guys and Mike and Abby and this one cuts pretty deep but I couldn't be more proud of them. Love the senior class, love, just their investment into our program in everything they've done the way they show up day after day and they've got a lot to be proud of. And that was my message in the locker room questions.
So obviously, it's easy to talk over,
but what's it been like working with this group and what's your message to them as they close out their final season and to get ready to start?
Yeah, it's this honestly has been I know it seems weird for from a maybe 50,000 foot viewpoint, but it's been my most enjoyable season that I've had. It's just an incredible group of young ladies. You know, we talk a lot about just the process and and, you know, just learning and growing, challenging each other and supporting each other. And it's a really, really special locker room. You guys don't get a chance to see that. But I know it's in that locker room and I've seen so much girl and you know, they just continue to work really hard. Somebody will be in the gym tomorrow. Someone's gonna reach out why don't watch more film. It's just a it's just an incredibly special group. So they've got a lot to be proud of than it right now. This is basketball later on. It's going to be real life and although we've gone through some, you know, adversity, it's been hard. They're handling it the right way. They're uncommon in I think, you know, when you get some curveballs thrown at you later on in life, they're going to be prepared for it and now they're gonna be better because of it.
coach you on all four of your seniors starting tonight? How important was it to do right by your seniors and really give them that one final special moment?
Yeah, I thought it was an opportunity to just really I bless them. You know, Mike has been here for five years and limited playing time and you know, I thought for her with her family. Just a great opportunity. Want to start to zone anyway you know, she's pretty good in there. And Abby fight obviously there's only been here with us for one year but he's made a huge impact. Everybody loves ads and I don't know you don't always have an opportunity to do that. And I thought tonight, it made sense for us to do it. I thought they did a really nice job.
You go to sign up for KY three recover Stratford.
Where does he fit in? With some of the greatest players ever worked in New Jersey? Definitely one of the best since I've been here. And I think, you know, when you look at not only what she's done on the court, but who she is as a person, her commitment and loyalty to our program, the way she represents not only women's basketball, but the University of Missouri this community. You know, servant leader, it's never been about Haley since day one. I think that's what makes her very, very uncommon. You know, I don't think she came here to set out to be the all time leading scorer or anything like that. I think she came here to learn and grow and just experience a culture that's I think, pretty special and and make a positive impact and she's absolutely done that and more. So. One of the best shooters ever to play here at the University of Missouri but, you know, record books or record books, the legacy she's left behind because of who she is and how she shows up every day is very uncommon, and very special. We're very blessed to have her here. Did you expect a career out of harmony recruiting Stratford? Well, I don't know if I really had expectations, but I was pretty optimistic on on the kind of player that we were getting, again, just so fundamental, her dad Steve, just incredible high school coach, they had a lot of success. She's won at a high level. She understands what it takes to win. She's kind of like having another coach on the court. And you know, I think her the impact that she's had over her five years is, is has been really really big for our program. And we're not ready to say goodbye yet. I didn't want to look at him too much tonight because I knew it'd be pretty emotional but very, very grateful for what she's Mentor Program. Haley,
obviously it's been a big night for you getting to walk out on the court, Mizzou arena for one final time with your mom and your dad. Just what's been going through your mind well, pregame that now leading up after the game.
I think just over the last few days. It's kind of just a feeling of gratitude. And I mean, I think just the thing I've focused most on is the relationships and how special they are. You know, like she said, the growth that I've had as a person. I mean, obviously we've been kind of struggling Wentz wise and I mean, we're competitors like it is hard but I think I just really tried to shift my focus to I mean, how special the relationships are, how thankful I am for his coaching staff for my teammates. And I think I was just playing with a lot of gratitude tonight.
For both you and I have been having a tough time but this season in general what are the emotions that you have kind of gone through this stretch?
thing it's just been an amazing season, cuz like at the end of the day people just looks at the wins and the losses but at the end of the day, it's just bigger than that in relation to your view. You take I mean this stuff is amazing. My teammates are amazing. This is hard to say goodbye, everything about it just because of that. So yes, like we want to win. Everyone wants to win, but at the end of the day, we're getting better and as a persons as as players. I think that's the biggest accomplishment that we can have and it's difficult to control those emotions, but we are trying to trying to get there
any other questions, rather than a lot of talk about your players final games. Have you had any conversations or putting any thought into your future here? Feeling you know, the next couple of weeks
you know, I'm a firm believer and being where my feet are about being present about controlling what I can control and you know, when in the day and that's when we talk to our players about on a daily basis. And I think it's really important that I'm in a place that I'm modeling that behavior for them. Because
when you think about this roster and these players, these fans, just what do you feel when you think about the University of Missouri and program you
have here? Yeah, very grateful. You know, I think in coaching there's a lot of ebb and flow and you know, you have some really big wins and tough losses and some good years and some some years that maybe you don't achieve at the level that you know you had thought you could but through all that I think just incredible. People have been really blessed with this locker room. You guys are probably tired of hearing me say it. I think I say it every press conference but it's just the most amazing group of young ladies that stand for all the right things and they're gonna be so successful in life. You know, for this community. 14 years, you know, they've just they bet on the ride with us. You know, they're still talking about our South Carolina. We were the last team that beat South Carolina in the regular season. I mean, they've been through it all with us. And I think probably and I don't want to speak for our players, but I think you know, there's nobody more competitive than who's in that locker room, all of us in that locker room. But also, I think you know, it hurts most for our fans. We care so much about them and just the way they continue to show up for us and we love them to death and are so grateful for them and I don't none of us wants to disappoint our fan base because they're a part of our family. They truly are 16 We'll
take one more than me as a
coach over the last couple of games of giving up offensive rebounds and second chance points just kind of seem to be an issue. What's the plan going forward to kind of adjust that?
We talked about it a lot. We work on it a lot. We spend quite a bit of time on it this time of the year it gets a little bit more challenging just because of you know, just the length of the season and the turnaround and so, you know, yeah, you got to be careful how much you're doing in practice. Just from a physicality standpoint and trying to keep your legs fresh for this last stretch of the season. But it is something that consistently we work on every single day of practice and a point of emphasis for us and so we know the importance of it, we're just not getting it done at the level that we need to
Alright, thanks, guys. Thank you
I'm gonna triple check that everyone. Oh, yeah. What's one of your assistants? Oh, you're all good, dude. I see you got your hands full here
