Arkansas Audio from Tipoff '03 - SEC Basketball Media Day

  Stan Heath
  Carl Baker
  Dionisio Gomez
  Gary Blair
  Shameka Christon
  India Lewis

Arkansas Quotes from Tipoff '03 - SEC Basketball Media Day

MEN'S COACH AND PLAYERS

Head Coach Stan Heath

On being the head coach...
"It's been hectic. Every day is a new day where you learn something new. It is a great area to be in and the people really support this program. As a new coach you want the challenge, and at Arkansas the challenge is definitely there. It is a lot of hard work, and it should be fun. You never know sometimes how it is going to work in college basketball. I think that being at Kent State was good for me. It has helped me grasp how to be a head coach, not necessarily the logistics of the game, but the demands on and off the court."

On comparisons to Nolan Richardson...
"I don't think that you can compare the two of us. Coach Richardson took the program to a new level. It is great to be involved in a program that has won a national title and has the opportunity to compete for on e every year."

On the upcoming season...
"I really like the effort of the team and the great attitude of the players. I want to build on the tradition here at Arkansas. We have a different philosophy than last year's team, and even though we have seniors on the team it is like having 14 new guys out there. I am very pleased with the growth of the team, to see that they are working through some of the confusion of a new system means that they are maturing and growing. I can see the progress, and I am excited to see the team grow. We are not there yet, but we will work very hard to get where we need to be. When we accept the mindset and the plan of the program then this team will be successful."

On his style of play...
"With the position of our program, I think that it is imperative that we do the little things well. We cannot make stupid mistakes. We don't have the luxury of turning the ball over. We don't have the luxury of not rebounding. We don't have the luxury of giving up fast break points. We must execute of half court offense and make our free throws. Many games are lost by three or five points, so if we can do the little things right than it should take care of itself."

Forward Dionisio Gomez

On being successful in their division...
" We definitely have the chance to be successful in our division as long as we work together. We know what each of us is capable of doing and as long as we stay focused and do that then we can battle anyone. In basketball, once that ball goes up then its fair game. It doesn't matter if you are No. 1 or No. 6. We are considered the underdog but sometimes that can be good. Once you are already down like that than there is no where else for you to go but up. The team looks at that as only a challenge and that is why we are working very hard to be at the top. "

On the difference in coaching...
" There really is not that big of a difference. They have different personalities that lead to different styles and that is what we are all working on right now. When it comes to basketball the goals are pretty much all the same - being powerful on defense, staying together as a team and winning."

Forward Carlos Baker

On adapting to the new coaching...
" I think it's a lot harder for the seniors because the freshman are coming into a whole new program anyway. The seniors though were used to certain things that now are changing. Change like that is hard at first but we have been working on it. We are not complete yet in styles and techniques and everything but we are getting there.

On the freshman class....
" I love our freshman guys. They are a good group and extremely competitive and fun. They bring life to this team because they all have that arrogant high school cocky attitude that most freshman have when they go to college. Until they play in their first couple Division I games and realize that its not high school, they are playing against grown men. But these guys have great talent and right now probably don't even know how good they are or even can be yet."

On the season...
" I think we will be in good standings. Right now we have no worries because as the underdog you have no pressure and no one really knows your capabilities. Our coaches have a lot of confidence in us as a team and winning is our goal."

WOMEN'S COACH AND PLAYERS

Head Coach Gary Blair

On the upcoming year...
" I think that this year could be a good year for us. The stats of last season indicated that we probably were not a good basketball team, yet we won 20 games. That tells you how close we were to being a very good team.. This team has strong leadership and good players. Last year Shameka Christon played four different positions, and we started her off last year at the four spot. Teams were playing behind us and shutting her down, while at the same time putting pressure on our shooters. With Katrina Nesbit and Kiesha Beard's improvement in the post we have a strong post presence to counter our always strong guard play. In the ten years that I've been here, the guard play has been the most consistent. The two post players plus the addition of Ruby Vaden should help our team tremendously. I don't want to play 3 centers all the way into February, but early on we will have to. I am anxious to see how Ruby handles herself this year. I think she is a year away offensively and mentally, but the body is there."

On the SEC Tournament being in Little Rock...
"I think that it has a chance to be the best one ever. We can set records for attendance, but the only way that it will happen is if our team is still playing late in the tournament. The committees have done lots of hard work and have paid very close attention to detail in an effort to make this tournament work. We are putting the reputation of our state on the line, and I am betting that this tournament will be outstanding."

Guard/Forward Shameka Christon

On playing in the SEC...
"It is tough. You always expect to go out and see something different and play against the best players in the country every time out. You have to give credit to all of the teams, they all have great talent. I have never heard anyone say that they would rather play in another conference."

On true freshman Rochelle Vaughn...
"She has heart. I have never seen anyone want something so bad in my life. She came in this year knowing that she wanted to play right away and is willing to do the things it takes to do that. She has picked up the plays faster than any freshman we have ever had."

On the SEC Tournament being in Little Rock...
"It is really exciting knowing that the tournament is being held just three hours away. The crowd at Bud Walton is always great and we expect that atmosphere to follow us to the tournament.

Guard India Lewis

On being a senior leader...
"It isn't a big change for me because this is my second year as a captain. I think the biggest part of being a senior is providing the leadership for the rest on the team especially the freshman. Right now I am trying to be more vocal for the five new girls. I am trying to show them how it is supposed to be done to get them started on the right foot.

On the team's approach to the season...
"We have set team goals for the season. The main one is to make it past the second round of the NCAAs since we have been there the last two seasons. We try to take that mentality to the practice floor everyday and work on last year's mistakes to make sure that we put ourselves in a position to reach that goal. Knowing that we were right there in the second round game last year helps to motivate us to make sure that we don't stop there again this year.

Arkansas Photos from Tipoff '03 - SEC Basketball Media Day