March 17, 2004

Back to the table of Contents Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

NCAA TOURNAMENT TALK

"We were a little disappointed when we heard Duke was seeded ahead of us. They lost (Sunday) to Maryland in the (ACC) championship game, their fifth loss overall. We realize it has a lot to do with the strength of the ACC, and that the Pac-10 is generally labeled soft. The Pac-10 doesn't get any credit it deserves' we're ready to prove it to the rest of the country, and I know Arizona and Washington will be out to do the same." --- Stanford's Josh Childress

"Duke, seemingly not matter what happens to them, will be the nation's No. 1 team. They have five losses. I wouldn't say it's unfair, because we're a No. 1 seed, but you look at it and say, 'Why.'" --- Childress

"The first initial response is that they (the selection committee) are disrespecting us. But until we prove we can win in the tournament, maybe they're right. There's no use blaming anybody." --- Stanford's Chris Hernandez

"Obviously, you cang et into the whole thing of East Coast bias. That's something that's been known a long time. But you can look at it the other way. How well has the Pac-10 done in the tournament? In a way, they have a point." --- Hernandez

On Stanford's first opponent, Texas-San Antonio:

"We've got faxes, we've got internet stuff, we've got rumors and we've got tape. I know their coach Tim Carter, a former assistant at Northwestern. I don't know much about the team." --- Stanford coach Mike Montgomery

On the West Regional field:

"We know it's not going to be easy. All you have to do is look at Uconn, N.C. State, Maryland and Syracuse to figure that out. But, we're not looking beyond Texas-San Antonio." --- Childress

On the overall look of the tournament:

"I've said all along that there are as many as 16 to 20 teams capable of winning the whole thing." --- Montgomery

On Stanford's road ahead:

"We have one chance to make history. Six games. We look at it as these few weeks giving us that opportunity for a lifetime experience." --- Childress

"Every game, you run the risk of not making shots, or getting foulds on two key players, or someone spraining an ankle - things that change the dynamics. But if we play the way we're capable of playing, with an edge . . . I'll take our chances." --- Montgomery

On the Stanford women receiving a No. 6 seed:

"I think it shows disrespect for our team and disrespect for our conference . . . I think they (Stanford's players) are in absolute shock. We sat there and couldn't believe it. (But) What are we going to do, cry about it? --- Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer

"For the team to be show disrespect is not a bad thing. Let us be the team with a chip on our shoulder." --- VanDerveer

"I don't think the number in front of your name means anything. You have to play well or go home." --- VanDerveer

"We all were definitely a little bit surprised when we saw our name next to a six seed. It doesn't matter right now." --- Stanford's Kelley Suminski

On the Stanford women playing their first games in Tempe, Ariz., close to home for senior Nicole Powell:

"It save her parents a thousand dollars. She's ecstatic about it. I'm excited to go to a Pac-10 arena. I hope the loud fans from ASU will come out and support us. I never thought we'd go to Tempe. It's a direct flight, a warm place . . . I couldn't have asked for anything more." --- VanDerveer

On Stanford's possible second-round opponent, Oklahoma, which hosts the Midwest Regional in Norman:

"In the committee's mind, they were clearing the way for Oklahoma to come back and play on their home court. Maybe we won't be road kill for them." --- VanDerveer

On the Stanford women going into the tournament:

"I see our team as being on a very steep improvement curve. We're going to scout Missouri, play our game and play inspired basketeball. I really believe we can do it. Last year, even though we were hosting, I felt pressure on our team. This year we're in a good place with our team." --- VanDerveer

E-mail a friend a link to this story.