Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Lynne Roberts Press Conference
1/4/2017 12:23 PM | Women's Basketball
Utah Head Coach Lynne Roberts
Weekly Press Conference
Jan. 4, 2016
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YouTube Link Â
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Opening statement
"I appreciate everybody being here. It's nice to be back in Salt Lake City. We had a good road week last week. We opened up Pac-12 play at No. 10 UCLA then we were at USC, and we were fortunate to get the split. Anytime you can get the split on the road in the Pac-12 it's a good week. We always want to win every game we play, but I was proud of our team for bouncing back to win a tough, ugly game at USC. Now we're back home with Arizona State Friday at 7 p.m. MT and Arizona Sunday at noon and both games are on the Pac-12 Network. It's nice to be back here, practicing in our own gym, sleeping our own beds and all that good stuff that comes with being at home. We need to capitalize on the opportunity and continue to get better."
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On bouncing back from the team's first loss of the season on the road
"It doesn't matter who you're playing or where you're playing, games are hard on the road. In this conference where everyone is really good, there's really no room for mental lapses. In the game against USC, I thought we had a really good first quarter. We got into foul trouble with Emily Potter and Wendy Anae so we couldn't play them. We had to go small, which we really hadn't practiced. I felt like we lost our composure, edge and game plan. Everything kind of fell apart and we stumbled into half time. I challenged the team to toughen up and muscle up at half time and they did. We didn't play perfectly in that second half, but we sure played a lot tougher than we did in that second quarter. To me, there's always room for X's and O's improvement. We watched film yesterday of the game to see the many things we need to improve on and work on. I was really proud of our toughness though. That shows me what we have deep down in the tank in terms of the ability to fight back. We were down by 11 at half and by as much as 13. We fought back and to be able to do that on the road is big and I'm proud of our team for that."
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 On Emily Potter
"The UCLA game was a good showing because we hadn't played any one of that caliber yet, so that was eye-opening. For Emily, they really came at her, as did USC. That's how it's going to be from every conference opponent. One of their keys to winning is going to kind of beat her up and shut her down. I thought she responded well with 20 points against UCLA and 16 points against USC. That's impressive when you know the other team is just coming at her. She's improved a lot in her strength. Last year, she was getting knocked down quite a bit and this yea she's staying on her feet and finishing through contact. I think she's becoming more posed and a little smarter out there. Like I always say about her, she can always get better, which is what's happening. We're not a one-headed monster, we have a whole roster of players who can play and are good Pac-12 players. Even though we know the game plan is going to be for them to focus on Potter, we have other players who can definitely step up and contributes when we need them to."
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On importance of rebounding
"I think the primary reason why we're 12-1 right now is because of our defense. We've been really, really good defensively from a statistic point – points allowed, field goal percentage defense – all those things. Rebounding, simply, is about possessions. Defensively, it finishes your possession and eliminates the opponent from getting another possession. Offensively, it's a chance to extend the possession. It's a game of possessions, especially when we know every game in the Pac-12 is going to be close. You can limit your possessions by defensive rebounds or you can extend your possessions by offensive rebound. It's a key and that's why it's such a huge thing for me. We emphasize that in our program. For us to win games in the Pac-12, we need to continue to be really good on the boards."
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On Keys for Arizona State
"Arizona State is really good, everybody knows that. They're top 25 and they've been top 25. Their coaching staff does a really good job. I think the thing about Arizona State is they have their identity, they know who they are, they know what makes them good. I always respect that about teams. You can watch one game or you can watch 100 games and they kind of play the same way. That's a sign of a team that knows who they are and what makes them good. I like that. They are really physical, really aggressive and really tough defensively. They kind of take you outs of what you want to do and they're effective. Our keys to winning are is to combat that. We need to be determined to do what we want to do and play how we want to play. Last year, they took it to us at their place. We only played them once last year and we only play them once this year so this is our chance at them – unless we see them in the Pac-12 Tournament. They're good, tough, physical and have great post play. Their guards are young, but talented. We'll have our hands full and it should be a really good game."
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On Canadian Pipeline
"It's been good to Utah. It's been a successful pipeline. Elaine Elliott, who was the coach here for years, got that started and she did a great job. It's interesting, there's a lot of colleges trying to get into Canada for recruiting, a lot more than there used to be, but we feel like we still have a leg up because of all the history here. The Canada Basketball Olympians who have come through this program. It has really helped us – it doesn't matter if you're from Nova Scotia or British Columbia – they know Utah. We have brand recognition there and we're going to continue hitting that pipeline hard."
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On freshman balancing enthusiasm with Recklessness
"That's the beauty of being a freshman, sometimes you don't know any better. That's the downside of being a freshman, sometimes you don't know any better. We brought in Kianna Moore and Megan Jacobs with the intention that they would play this year. The minutes depends on each game and how they're playing. If it's more reckless abandonment and less understanding what we're doing, the minutes will probably be less. If there's an understanding of that we're doing and how they're playing, then the minutes will grow. I think they've done a nice job. Obviously, for every player out of high school there's a jump and to jump to the Pac-12 is a leap. It's two steps forward and one step back with all freshmen. I'm proud of them. They're putting in work and they both really want to be good. They'll continue to get opportunities. For me as a coach, it's my job to understand them and know when they're swimming and when they're struggling. I think they're both doing a pretty good job."
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On Kianna Moore and Megan Jacobs
"Kianna Moore is more of a scoring point guard. Erika Bean can score, but she's more of a facilitator. Kianna, pound for pound, is probably our most athletic player on the team in terms of quick, explosiveness, jumping ability, She's really athletic. She's learning. She knows how to score and how to defend. We're trying to teach her how to be a point guard while incorporating those strengths. She's figuring it out and she's getting better. She can shoot the three really well. Her individual game is good, we're teaching her how to lead a team and time management. She's very competitive and aggressive. MJ – Megan Jacobs – is a strong, big with a Pac-12 build. Our strength coach said she's the strongest freshman she's ever seen in terms of when she came in during the summer. She has natural, God-given strength. MJ has a really great IQ. You have to tell her things once and she gets it. She is backing up Paige Corzon right now and she'll try to earn that starting spot next year. She can run almost a point-forward type game. She really does understand passing lanes and creating shots for other people. She can shoot the three or put the ball on the floor. She's still learning how to be aggressive to get her points, but they're there. I think both of them are going to develop into really good players for us."
Â
On size and physically of other players being a factor for freshmen
"It's new at first because you realize everyone is good. As the season grows, game plan, strategy, knowing who you're guarding – the strategic aspect is very eye opening. We don't just role the balls out and play? There's a lot of prep that goes into it. That's always a big adjustment too. When they figure out how to do that, and not get overwhelmed is when they start to find their grove as freshmen."
Â
On changes from freshmen after two Pac-12 games
"Ask me next week. I think we'll see more these next two home games. Against USC, Kiana Moore was really reason why we went on our run and won the game. She took the pressure off by doing what she's good at – coming off ball screens and attacking. She had a couples assists too so right there is improvement, understanding what she can do. You need to line up more games with production before it become legitimate."
Weekly Press Conference
Jan. 4, 2016
Â
YouTube Link Â
Â
Opening statement
"I appreciate everybody being here. It's nice to be back in Salt Lake City. We had a good road week last week. We opened up Pac-12 play at No. 10 UCLA then we were at USC, and we were fortunate to get the split. Anytime you can get the split on the road in the Pac-12 it's a good week. We always want to win every game we play, but I was proud of our team for bouncing back to win a tough, ugly game at USC. Now we're back home with Arizona State Friday at 7 p.m. MT and Arizona Sunday at noon and both games are on the Pac-12 Network. It's nice to be back here, practicing in our own gym, sleeping our own beds and all that good stuff that comes with being at home. We need to capitalize on the opportunity and continue to get better."
Â
On bouncing back from the team's first loss of the season on the road
"It doesn't matter who you're playing or where you're playing, games are hard on the road. In this conference where everyone is really good, there's really no room for mental lapses. In the game against USC, I thought we had a really good first quarter. We got into foul trouble with Emily Potter and Wendy Anae so we couldn't play them. We had to go small, which we really hadn't practiced. I felt like we lost our composure, edge and game plan. Everything kind of fell apart and we stumbled into half time. I challenged the team to toughen up and muscle up at half time and they did. We didn't play perfectly in that second half, but we sure played a lot tougher than we did in that second quarter. To me, there's always room for X's and O's improvement. We watched film yesterday of the game to see the many things we need to improve on and work on. I was really proud of our toughness though. That shows me what we have deep down in the tank in terms of the ability to fight back. We were down by 11 at half and by as much as 13. We fought back and to be able to do that on the road is big and I'm proud of our team for that."
Â
 On Emily Potter
"The UCLA game was a good showing because we hadn't played any one of that caliber yet, so that was eye-opening. For Emily, they really came at her, as did USC. That's how it's going to be from every conference opponent. One of their keys to winning is going to kind of beat her up and shut her down. I thought she responded well with 20 points against UCLA and 16 points against USC. That's impressive when you know the other team is just coming at her. She's improved a lot in her strength. Last year, she was getting knocked down quite a bit and this yea she's staying on her feet and finishing through contact. I think she's becoming more posed and a little smarter out there. Like I always say about her, she can always get better, which is what's happening. We're not a one-headed monster, we have a whole roster of players who can play and are good Pac-12 players. Even though we know the game plan is going to be for them to focus on Potter, we have other players who can definitely step up and contributes when we need them to."
Â
On importance of rebounding
"I think the primary reason why we're 12-1 right now is because of our defense. We've been really, really good defensively from a statistic point – points allowed, field goal percentage defense – all those things. Rebounding, simply, is about possessions. Defensively, it finishes your possession and eliminates the opponent from getting another possession. Offensively, it's a chance to extend the possession. It's a game of possessions, especially when we know every game in the Pac-12 is going to be close. You can limit your possessions by defensive rebounds or you can extend your possessions by offensive rebound. It's a key and that's why it's such a huge thing for me. We emphasize that in our program. For us to win games in the Pac-12, we need to continue to be really good on the boards."
Â
On Keys for Arizona State
"Arizona State is really good, everybody knows that. They're top 25 and they've been top 25. Their coaching staff does a really good job. I think the thing about Arizona State is they have their identity, they know who they are, they know what makes them good. I always respect that about teams. You can watch one game or you can watch 100 games and they kind of play the same way. That's a sign of a team that knows who they are and what makes them good. I like that. They are really physical, really aggressive and really tough defensively. They kind of take you outs of what you want to do and they're effective. Our keys to winning are is to combat that. We need to be determined to do what we want to do and play how we want to play. Last year, they took it to us at their place. We only played them once last year and we only play them once this year so this is our chance at them – unless we see them in the Pac-12 Tournament. They're good, tough, physical and have great post play. Their guards are young, but talented. We'll have our hands full and it should be a really good game."
Â
On Canadian Pipeline
"It's been good to Utah. It's been a successful pipeline. Elaine Elliott, who was the coach here for years, got that started and she did a great job. It's interesting, there's a lot of colleges trying to get into Canada for recruiting, a lot more than there used to be, but we feel like we still have a leg up because of all the history here. The Canada Basketball Olympians who have come through this program. It has really helped us – it doesn't matter if you're from Nova Scotia or British Columbia – they know Utah. We have brand recognition there and we're going to continue hitting that pipeline hard."
Â
On freshman balancing enthusiasm with Recklessness
"That's the beauty of being a freshman, sometimes you don't know any better. That's the downside of being a freshman, sometimes you don't know any better. We brought in Kianna Moore and Megan Jacobs with the intention that they would play this year. The minutes depends on each game and how they're playing. If it's more reckless abandonment and less understanding what we're doing, the minutes will probably be less. If there's an understanding of that we're doing and how they're playing, then the minutes will grow. I think they've done a nice job. Obviously, for every player out of high school there's a jump and to jump to the Pac-12 is a leap. It's two steps forward and one step back with all freshmen. I'm proud of them. They're putting in work and they both really want to be good. They'll continue to get opportunities. For me as a coach, it's my job to understand them and know when they're swimming and when they're struggling. I think they're both doing a pretty good job."
Â
On Kianna Moore and Megan Jacobs
"Kianna Moore is more of a scoring point guard. Erika Bean can score, but she's more of a facilitator. Kianna, pound for pound, is probably our most athletic player on the team in terms of quick, explosiveness, jumping ability, She's really athletic. She's learning. She knows how to score and how to defend. We're trying to teach her how to be a point guard while incorporating those strengths. She's figuring it out and she's getting better. She can shoot the three really well. Her individual game is good, we're teaching her how to lead a team and time management. She's very competitive and aggressive. MJ – Megan Jacobs – is a strong, big with a Pac-12 build. Our strength coach said she's the strongest freshman she's ever seen in terms of when she came in during the summer. She has natural, God-given strength. MJ has a really great IQ. You have to tell her things once and she gets it. She is backing up Paige Corzon right now and she'll try to earn that starting spot next year. She can run almost a point-forward type game. She really does understand passing lanes and creating shots for other people. She can shoot the three or put the ball on the floor. She's still learning how to be aggressive to get her points, but they're there. I think both of them are going to develop into really good players for us."
Â
On size and physically of other players being a factor for freshmen
"It's new at first because you realize everyone is good. As the season grows, game plan, strategy, knowing who you're guarding – the strategic aspect is very eye opening. We don't just role the balls out and play? There's a lot of prep that goes into it. That's always a big adjustment too. When they figure out how to do that, and not get overwhelmed is when they start to find their grove as freshmen."
Â
On changes from freshmen after two Pac-12 games
"Ask me next week. I think we'll see more these next two home games. Against USC, Kiana Moore was really reason why we went on our run and won the game. She took the pressure off by doing what she's good at – coming off ball screens and attacking. She had a couples assists too so right there is improvement, understanding what she can do. You need to line up more games with production before it become legitimate."
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
W
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
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