The K-State women’s basketball team is coming off a regular-season Big 12 championship, and with four returning starters, the team hopes to compete again in a strong Big 12 Conference. Coach Deb Patterson recently answered a few questions about the last preseason game, which takes place today, and her expectations for the rest of the season.

Q: How did winning the Big 12 championship change the mindset of the basketball program?
A: When you have had success, you understand what it takes to be successful. I think more than anything, we are in a position to draw off of close-game scenarios and find a way to win — and that’s what separates you.

Q: Has your mindset changed as a coach now that your team is the defending Big 12 Champion?
A: No. I think that every year, it is like a blank page. While you have some intrinsic lessons and some experiences behind you, that is all you bring to the next season. What’s done is done.

Q: How are the eight returning players going to have an impact on the team this year?
A: I think what is really significant is that we have some real quality minutes behind our senior class right now, and they are a great core to build some depth around. I think the challenge is always for new players to step in and find a way to make a difference.

Q: How do you see the new players fitting into the program?
A: I think it is a day-to-day process, but I like the progress they have made in the last four or five days.

Q: What did winning the Big 12 Coach of the Year mean to you?
A: To me, it is just a reflection of having a team that has competed extremely hard and well for what we bring to the table, and it is a reflection of having a great coaching staff.

Q: Friday is the last exhibition game for this team. What do those exhibitions provide for the team?
A: Exhibition games are critical elements of preparation, and playing a Washburn or an Emporia, you are playing two great high-caliber Division II basketball teams. It really gives us a chance for some accurate evaluations of our personnel. They are very valuable to us.

Q: How has the Big 12 Conference changed this year from the previous season?
A: I think the conference this year has gotten even better. When you think about the fact that regular-season champions are ranked seventh in the preseason by the great coaches in this league, and the Big 12 Tournament Champions are picked No. 5 in the preseason after advancing to the Elite 8, it tells you how tough the league is about to be.

Q: How do you fit your team in the Big 12?
A: I think we’re probably sitting at a fair pick right now in the preseason, and the reality is preseason polls don’t [make] a statement about the toughness of your league. You still line it up and compete to see where you ultimately are going to finish.

Q: How excited are your players to start regular-season games?
A: Honestly right now they are excited about the exhibition game against Emporia. I think we understand how far we have to go; we understand the value of this next game and the challenge of this next game. We are not at all looking beyond it.

Q: In your opinion, what will it take for this team to make it to the NCAA Tournament?
A: It’s going to take an unbelievable amount of focus and resiliency, and cohesiveness and work ethic through the course of the season by our basketball team, so those elements have to be in place.

Q: What in your mind would be considered a successful season?
A: I think for us to finish the season with a NCAA Tournament bid is the ultimate goal for this basketball team and will define success when you understand the magnitude of competing in this league night-in and night-out. I think that would be a great achievement, and that is what we are directed towards.

Comments

1 comments

Brad

Fri Nov 7 2008 11:44

Good interview; good insight into the coach's view of the upcoming season.

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