Oct. 6, 2015
HEAD COACH MELANIE BALCOMB
Utilizing guards for perimeter shooting:
“We spent a lot of time this summer on our shooting and really teaching technique and form; putting up a lot of shots but making sure we’re shot makers and not just shot takers. It’s rally going to help us to have the experience back at the shooting guards, then you add Christa Reed and Minta Spears, who are probably our best pure three-point shooters. They should be in the lineup now and that will add a lot to the shooting that we had last year.”
Improving at the point guard position:
“That’s where we struggled last year … having that leader on the floor and that consistent point guard shelling out a lot of assists and serving, and that’s one of the reasons we brought Minta Spears here, she serves first. In fact we can’t get her to shoot enough in practice now and she’s probably our best three-point shooter besides Christa (Reed). The other thing that you’ll see is that J.J. (Jasmine Jenkins) has improved so much with the work that she’s put in. You’re probably going to see a two-guard lineup with Minta and J.J. playing two points together, which is what I always like to do. I think once we’re able to do that and we’re able to get a lot more penetration and three-point shots off that penetration. We’re also going to get a lot more because Marques Webb is dominating inside, very healthy now and is in condition. She did a great job getting in condition and getting her body ready to play more minutes and staying out of foul trouble. We’re going to be able to go inside out more as well which will create a lot more open look on the perimeter.”
Does this team look like Vanderbilt’s successful teams of the past?
“It’s much more of the makeup that we’ve had in the past and yes we’re going back to a lot of things that we were able to do with the four guard offense and sometimes it was a five guard offense and that’s what you’ll see us doing. We’re going to be able to spread the floor more and have one post out there so we can get some more penetration but I think we’re going to be able to do a lot more things like we did in the past. It’s taken me a while to figure out this senior class; what they do well what they don’t… and they’re working really hard so some of the things I’m having to do is adapt to them. I think we’ve put in some new things, but will continue to put them in a position to be successful. And that’s my job to do that, because right now they’re all working very hard and have been very consistent in the off season.”
On team leadership:
“To be honest with you I think it’s going to be leader by committee and I think one of my other staples is that you have to have a point, a post and a shooter then role players around those that help develop those roles. I don’t think we had that triangle last year.”
Biggest difference in this year’s team from last:
“I’d have to say the biggest difference is everyone’s willingness to work. Last year there weren’t a lot of people getting in the gym. There weren’t a lot of people building relationships with each other off the court. And I think everyone is here trying to get better regardless of what role they play on the team.”
Does good team chemistry transfer over to wins?:
“I’m not saying there’s a causation, but there is definitely a correlation to wins because when you like each other you want to do more for your teammates.”
Why do you think you’ll have a better season this year?:
“Speaking for me, I’m a senior and not that this year is different than previous years, but it puts tings into perspective. We have five seniors on the team and everybody wants it more because this is our last go-around. Our past seniors have done a good job at setting that standard for the team, to give more always no matter what your role is. And I think that’s the biggest reason, everyone wants to give more and invest”
On transfer Minta Spears:
“Minta is a great player. Her basketball IQ ridiculous, it’s sky high. She knows what she can do and when she does it, she does it well. She’s a great teammate and I’m looking forward to playing with her this year.”
On importance of team chemistry:
“From my personal experience it’s a huge factor. The more you like each other, the more you have each other’s backs and the more you will want to do the little things for each other and go all out for one another and I think we’re definitely getting to that point. Our locker room chemistry is really really good, honestly. I really think we all have love for one another, just as sisters. Forget basketball, take basketball out of the picture, I’ve got their back no matter what.”
Why do you think you’ll have a better season this year?
“Last year was one of the worst years in Vanderbilt history, and no one wants to have a bad season again. We were just talking about this before we came here. It won’t happen again. We’re just here to get better for ourselves and for the program. We’re giving back to the program that has given so much to us. So were just wanted to get better and send our seniors out with a bang.”
On being the post amongst four guards:
“I guess I have to get used to being in that position, being a quote-unquote go to player. Honestly all of our post players could fill that role at any time. I honestly feel like our post group as a whole has gotten so much better over the summer. Everyone is getting in the gym and getting better. I really feel like anyone can get in there and be successful.”
REBEKAH DAHLMAN, MINTA SPEARS AND RACHEL BELL
Question: Minta, you come in with the responsibility right off the bat, taking a big role in the team. Are you comfortable with that? Do you kind of understand how big your role could be?
Spears: Yes, I think that, , I was really nervous coming in, but the transition has actually been really smooth, and I’m really thankful for that … I think the team has just been awesome and I’m just looking to contribute any way I can so whatever role that kind of ends up being, I’m excited.
Question: Minta, what are some of the differences between going to school at Texas Tech and some of the adjustments you had to make coming to Vanderbilt?
Spears: Yeah, huge, huge difference. , I was in Lubbock which is in West Texas which has awesome people, but you’re in the middle of nowhere, , and now I’m here in Nashville and it’s in the city and stuff, so that’s been a huge adjustment. And then, , the school, like it had 36,000 undergrad, about, and then here we have, , around 6 or 7, so that’s been a little bit of an adjustment, but as far as basketball goes, I’ve come in and the team has been really receptive to me and stuff, so while that’s been an adjustment as well, it’s been a great one.
Question: Why did you choose Vanderbilt?
Spears: Why Vanderbilt? Well one, I just loved the coaching staff. They were awesome when recruiting me and I also got recruited by them coming out of high school, but I committed early. So there was that part, and then also just the education part. , I’m to the point where basketball has been great, but I’m only going to play for two more years, so I want to get a good graduate degree and there’s no better place to come than Vanderbilt.
Question: Bekah, what about this, this team as well as anybody, what about this team makes you think this could be more successful than last year’s team?
Dahlman: I feel like this team brings a bunch of energy on and off the court. This past summer, we got so close, and each and every day we’re getting closer and closer, trusting each other more on the court, but off the court our chemistry is so well right now. We just gotta stick together this year, and we’re going to be great.
Question: Rebekah, you heard coach talk about the blood clot and maybe some limitations that puts on you in practice at times, having you rest. Can you just talk us through that?
Dahlman: It’s a blessing to be on the court every day. I mean, my past with this blood clot, but every day is a new day so, I wake up, being blessed, but my arm feels a lot better so I should be fine. Thanks.
Question: Rachel, do you guys feel pressure or do you kind of feel the opposite, just loose, coming off of last year, wanting to kind of get back to a winning record and NCAA and all that. How do y’all handle the past with regards to the present?
Bell: I think this year our buy-in is really there; we talked about that in practice this morning, and how we all came out, ready to go, we’re all buying into the process and we’re ready to come out and prove who we really are this season. So I wouldn’t say it’s a lot of pressure on us. I think a lot of people may look down on us from last year, so I think we’re going to spring back.