The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Women’s Basketball Media Day: Coach Yo Press Conference
9/30/2019 | Women's Basketball
<i class="icon-video"></i> Coach Yo Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> Torri Lewis & Mimi Reid
Speaking Were Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Senior Torri Lewis and Sophomore Mimi Reid
Ole Miss women's basketball head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, as well as senior Torri Lewis and sophomore Mimi Reid, met with members of the local media on Monday to preview the upcoming 2019-20 season. Below is the full transcript.
Ole Miss Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
Opening statement:
"It's been a great preseason so far. I really like my team. I like the energy they have. I like their willingness to learn. It's almost refreshing because we had some time with them before official practice, which was different from last year. (Last year) I felt like it took almost the whole non-conference just to get to know my team. This time around I know the group really well and we're way ahead of schedule compared to last year."
On having a new team:
"It's exciting. I think every year you have a new team no matter what, even if you have experienced players, because roles change, expectations change. With this group, it is fun. I can tell you that I'm having a lot of fun. Last year I didn't realize I was stressed. I guess because I was kind of in the fire, but now I see how much fun I'm having. It is definitely a difference."
On the fun:
"Just because I know who they are. I know their strengths, I know their weaknesses. Honestly, last year I did not know their strengths and weaknesses. I had to learn. We had to learn together. This group knows the standards. I was able to recruit them a little bit longer. A lot bit longer. And their energy and willingness to learn has been incredible."
On choosing "action" and "love" as words for the team:
"I think in this age, with Generation Z, they are all about what they put on social media. I told them we're not going to talk about it, we are going to be about it. Action speaks louder than words. That's where it kind of came from. They also understand that this is a foundation year. Last year I had to assess the situation. There was no way I could even think about building. This year I am ready to put down the ground floor that will be solid and take us where want to be in the future."
On replacing scoring:
"I think we'll have a few surprises. Deja Cage is looking really well. It's good to have Torri (Lewis) back as a three-point specialist. She's a threat from the perimeter. Even if she's not making, you have to respect it. Val (Nesbitt) is pretty electric at the point guard position. Sarah (Dumitrescu) is another promising freshman. The good thing is for them, everyone has to play. They'll have opportunities. As we continue with practice I'll kind of the figure that out, to see who wants to take on that role."
On Sarah Dumitrescu:
"Sarah is just extremely tough. She's so tough. She's a competitor. She's a winner. I remember when I recruited her, she made it clear to me that her aspirations were to play after this. She did not mince any words about it. She is living it, day-in and day-out. She wants to learn. She's a big guard. Her being about 6-1, she can do a lot of different things. She doesn't mind posting up. She doesn't mind being out on the perimeter. I've enjoyed having her. Jayla Alexander from Pearl is pretty tough too. She's come along late and really surprised us, to be able to take on the role she has taken on as a freshman. Being a guard, I think that is a tough adjustment. They are the ones with the ball. She has really been making huge steps."
On height:
"Dominique (Banks), she can dunk. Not a tennis ball, a basketball. So, she'll definitely be a rim protector for us. She's all over the place with scout team, meeting them at the rim. And her length, not only her height, really helps. We've been recruiting pretty tall guards."
On potentially taking a step back this year:
"I'll tell you this, the girls don't see it that way. Not the way they are practicing and competing every single day. I'm willing to support them in whatever ambitions they may have. I just understand how to build. Like I said, this is not my first build. I remember at Jacksonville we had to take one-step back. This group, the way they're just gelling and competing, I expect us to have some success in the non-conference. Obviously, we were in control of our non-conference schedule and last year we were not, as far as who we're competing against and where we think we are. We just have to wait and see. If they want to surprise me, I'm with it. If they don't, I'm not going to panic. The future is definitely bright."
On the new season:
"Last year, every game was a learning experience for us. I can tell you this. In the offseason, we talked about what would make us better. Rest assured, what's going to make us better is the fact that my staff and I, we've had the experience playing in the SEC for a year. We know what to expect. We know what to prepare for. And so that is going to help us tremendously where we were kind of coming in blind. The scheduling suits where we are as far as the program is concerned. We still have Texas Tech, Pitt down in Daytona, but we're not playing UConn or Baylor. We're playing teams that I think will allow us to have competitive matches throughout the whole preseason. We have LA Tech coming here. Just giving us opportunities to sharpen our knives to get ready for what will be a competitive conference."
On the lessons from last year:
"You can't skip steps any time you want to build. It's the same thing. I have the same personal feeling. Look at football. I just think they need time to really turn it around and have success. Then you'll see good things happen. I was at Clemson when everyone was screaming to fire Dabo Swinney and now they call it Dabo-land. What if they didn't give him an opportunity? For me, it's just reminding my staff that we are trending the right way and we just don't need to skip steps. If we continue to put the pieces in, then the Ole Miss community will be pleased."
On recruiting:
"It's really going well. Next year so far, we'll have two kids under 5-8, everyone else will be 6-0 or taller. We are going to be big, long, super athletic, and if we finish out the recruiting the way that we think it's going to go, it could be historic for us as a program. Some of the accolades that some of them are up for, like McDonalds All-American and stuff like that. We're in some battles. We're the only team that hasn't even had postseason, and every team that we're in battles with are teams that have been in the postseason. Sometimes I ask how we got in the mix. But, it's been good, and every young lady that we've gotten so far has been a top-100 kid. They are going to be immediate impact players. These kids are coming in right away and you guys will be able to see it."
On the two redshirts this season:
"Donnetta Johnson and Andeija Puckett. Andeija is 6-2 and looking really good. I wish we could use her this year. Donnetta Johnson has a chance to be a pro for us. She's really special. She can score. She'll start for us next year, no question. She shows it every day at practice. Donnetta is from Georgia and Andeija is from Cincinnati."
On selling Ole Miss to recruits:
"Just opportunity. These players have an incredible confidence about themselves. They know that they have opportunity here. It's not like we're already stacked and loaded and they have to wait their turn. It's attractive that they can come in and make an impact right away. A lot of people bash Ole Miss for some reason, then when these kids come they are blown away. The negative has really helped us when they come to campus. It's beautiful here in Oxford, the people are friendly, everyone is happy. When they come, they just fall in love."
Senior Guard #44 Torri Lewis
On the offseason:
"It's been really good. It's been tough, but Coach Yo keeps us in line. There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm in practices right now. I'm really excited for the season."
On how she feels after missing last season:
"It's been a struggle, but I am really excited for the new opportunities. Losing weight, getting back into shape, early mornings, just taking care of my son and getting up early, those are some of the toughest days. But my mom helped a lot, so it hasn't been unbearable. I love the game and I'll make it work."
On where the team is at:
"I think as a team, we definitely are working on a lot of new things and it has been challenging. But, I think all of our work ethics are really good. Coach Yo is a great coach, and all of the assistants are great. I think no matter what, we're going to be prepared."
On Coach Yo's words for the team:
"She has words for each year and last year was grit. Last year was kind of being really tough and getting through that season. For everyone involved, it was tough. It was a new coach and new players. Everything wasn't exactly perfect. This year the two words are action and love. I think even though sometimes love can be tough love, I think those words speak loudly to what we are trying to do this season from last season. She is in-tune with us."
Sophomore Guard #2 Mimi Reid
On how this offseason has been different:
"It's been fun for me. I've had the most fun. Granted, I've had some struggles and some setbacks mentally. Just the most fun because my freshman year was the injury, and then last year was a brand-new team and a brand-new coach. Then this year, I felt more settled and at home. At this point we are just laying down the foundation. It's been fun getting to know my new teammates and growing more with the coaches."
On feeling like a brand-new team:
"It does feel like a brand-new team again, but something is different. I can't really hit on it. When you already have a home and are just letting people in, as opposed to you building a home and still letting people in, I think it is different now. I think it has a lot to do with coaching and how they set the culture."
On her relationship with Coach Yo compared to last season:
"For me, specifically, I was a freshman point guard so I had to find the ropes on my own and it was tough. But I think my relationship with Coach Yo has really settled in and we're starting to get to know each other. She coaches me like a veteran. She knows that I know what is expected, so she's not going to do the extra ra-ra, but she's going to give me that look."
On standout newcomers:
"For me, Sarah (Dumitrescu). She is a freshman that plays the three or four. She's exciting. She brings something to the team that normal freshmen don't. People kind of view freshmen that they don't know anything and that they will struggle. But Sarah has really stood out to me in how she carries herself as a freshman, how she wants to step into that leadership role, and show that just because she's a freshman, she doesn't have to act like one."
On goals:
"One thing we preach is win. We don't want to be where we were last year. That's a very big emphasis. Just walking into our practice, you know that we want to win."
On the struggles in SEC play last year:
"It was very difficult because it gets discouraging at times when you are losing. But when you look at the bigger picture, you don't want to put too much pressure on yourself because you have to understand the situation that you are in. You don't put expectations that you know you can't meet. Just to get three wins as a brand-new team and a brand-new staff, that itself was an achievement. But now we look forward to something different because we're not where we were last year."
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin
Ole Miss Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
Opening statement:
"It's been a great preseason so far. I really like my team. I like the energy they have. I like their willingness to learn. It's almost refreshing because we had some time with them before official practice, which was different from last year. (Last year) I felt like it took almost the whole non-conference just to get to know my team. This time around I know the group really well and we're way ahead of schedule compared to last year."
On having a new team:
"It's exciting. I think every year you have a new team no matter what, even if you have experienced players, because roles change, expectations change. With this group, it is fun. I can tell you that I'm having a lot of fun. Last year I didn't realize I was stressed. I guess because I was kind of in the fire, but now I see how much fun I'm having. It is definitely a difference."
On the fun:
"Just because I know who they are. I know their strengths, I know their weaknesses. Honestly, last year I did not know their strengths and weaknesses. I had to learn. We had to learn together. This group knows the standards. I was able to recruit them a little bit longer. A lot bit longer. And their energy and willingness to learn has been incredible."
On choosing "action" and "love" as words for the team:
"I think in this age, with Generation Z, they are all about what they put on social media. I told them we're not going to talk about it, we are going to be about it. Action speaks louder than words. That's where it kind of came from. They also understand that this is a foundation year. Last year I had to assess the situation. There was no way I could even think about building. This year I am ready to put down the ground floor that will be solid and take us where want to be in the future."
On replacing scoring:
"I think we'll have a few surprises. Deja Cage is looking really well. It's good to have Torri (Lewis) back as a three-point specialist. She's a threat from the perimeter. Even if she's not making, you have to respect it. Val (Nesbitt) is pretty electric at the point guard position. Sarah (Dumitrescu) is another promising freshman. The good thing is for them, everyone has to play. They'll have opportunities. As we continue with practice I'll kind of the figure that out, to see who wants to take on that role."
On Sarah Dumitrescu:
"Sarah is just extremely tough. She's so tough. She's a competitor. She's a winner. I remember when I recruited her, she made it clear to me that her aspirations were to play after this. She did not mince any words about it. She is living it, day-in and day-out. She wants to learn. She's a big guard. Her being about 6-1, she can do a lot of different things. She doesn't mind posting up. She doesn't mind being out on the perimeter. I've enjoyed having her. Jayla Alexander from Pearl is pretty tough too. She's come along late and really surprised us, to be able to take on the role she has taken on as a freshman. Being a guard, I think that is a tough adjustment. They are the ones with the ball. She has really been making huge steps."
On height:
"Dominique (Banks), she can dunk. Not a tennis ball, a basketball. So, she'll definitely be a rim protector for us. She's all over the place with scout team, meeting them at the rim. And her length, not only her height, really helps. We've been recruiting pretty tall guards."
On potentially taking a step back this year:
"I'll tell you this, the girls don't see it that way. Not the way they are practicing and competing every single day. I'm willing to support them in whatever ambitions they may have. I just understand how to build. Like I said, this is not my first build. I remember at Jacksonville we had to take one-step back. This group, the way they're just gelling and competing, I expect us to have some success in the non-conference. Obviously, we were in control of our non-conference schedule and last year we were not, as far as who we're competing against and where we think we are. We just have to wait and see. If they want to surprise me, I'm with it. If they don't, I'm not going to panic. The future is definitely bright."
On the new season:
"Last year, every game was a learning experience for us. I can tell you this. In the offseason, we talked about what would make us better. Rest assured, what's going to make us better is the fact that my staff and I, we've had the experience playing in the SEC for a year. We know what to expect. We know what to prepare for. And so that is going to help us tremendously where we were kind of coming in blind. The scheduling suits where we are as far as the program is concerned. We still have Texas Tech, Pitt down in Daytona, but we're not playing UConn or Baylor. We're playing teams that I think will allow us to have competitive matches throughout the whole preseason. We have LA Tech coming here. Just giving us opportunities to sharpen our knives to get ready for what will be a competitive conference."
On the lessons from last year:
"You can't skip steps any time you want to build. It's the same thing. I have the same personal feeling. Look at football. I just think they need time to really turn it around and have success. Then you'll see good things happen. I was at Clemson when everyone was screaming to fire Dabo Swinney and now they call it Dabo-land. What if they didn't give him an opportunity? For me, it's just reminding my staff that we are trending the right way and we just don't need to skip steps. If we continue to put the pieces in, then the Ole Miss community will be pleased."
On recruiting:
"It's really going well. Next year so far, we'll have two kids under 5-8, everyone else will be 6-0 or taller. We are going to be big, long, super athletic, and if we finish out the recruiting the way that we think it's going to go, it could be historic for us as a program. Some of the accolades that some of them are up for, like McDonalds All-American and stuff like that. We're in some battles. We're the only team that hasn't even had postseason, and every team that we're in battles with are teams that have been in the postseason. Sometimes I ask how we got in the mix. But, it's been good, and every young lady that we've gotten so far has been a top-100 kid. They are going to be immediate impact players. These kids are coming in right away and you guys will be able to see it."
On the two redshirts this season:
"Donnetta Johnson and Andeija Puckett. Andeija is 6-2 and looking really good. I wish we could use her this year. Donnetta Johnson has a chance to be a pro for us. She's really special. She can score. She'll start for us next year, no question. She shows it every day at practice. Donnetta is from Georgia and Andeija is from Cincinnati."
On selling Ole Miss to recruits:
"Just opportunity. These players have an incredible confidence about themselves. They know that they have opportunity here. It's not like we're already stacked and loaded and they have to wait their turn. It's attractive that they can come in and make an impact right away. A lot of people bash Ole Miss for some reason, then when these kids come they are blown away. The negative has really helped us when they come to campus. It's beautiful here in Oxford, the people are friendly, everyone is happy. When they come, they just fall in love."
Senior Guard #44 Torri Lewis
On the offseason:
"It's been really good. It's been tough, but Coach Yo keeps us in line. There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm in practices right now. I'm really excited for the season."
On how she feels after missing last season:
"It's been a struggle, but I am really excited for the new opportunities. Losing weight, getting back into shape, early mornings, just taking care of my son and getting up early, those are some of the toughest days. But my mom helped a lot, so it hasn't been unbearable. I love the game and I'll make it work."
On where the team is at:
"I think as a team, we definitely are working on a lot of new things and it has been challenging. But, I think all of our work ethics are really good. Coach Yo is a great coach, and all of the assistants are great. I think no matter what, we're going to be prepared."
On Coach Yo's words for the team:
"She has words for each year and last year was grit. Last year was kind of being really tough and getting through that season. For everyone involved, it was tough. It was a new coach and new players. Everything wasn't exactly perfect. This year the two words are action and love. I think even though sometimes love can be tough love, I think those words speak loudly to what we are trying to do this season from last season. She is in-tune with us."
Sophomore Guard #2 Mimi Reid
On how this offseason has been different:
"It's been fun for me. I've had the most fun. Granted, I've had some struggles and some setbacks mentally. Just the most fun because my freshman year was the injury, and then last year was a brand-new team and a brand-new coach. Then this year, I felt more settled and at home. At this point we are just laying down the foundation. It's been fun getting to know my new teammates and growing more with the coaches."
On feeling like a brand-new team:
"It does feel like a brand-new team again, but something is different. I can't really hit on it. When you already have a home and are just letting people in, as opposed to you building a home and still letting people in, I think it is different now. I think it has a lot to do with coaching and how they set the culture."
On her relationship with Coach Yo compared to last season:
"For me, specifically, I was a freshman point guard so I had to find the ropes on my own and it was tough. But I think my relationship with Coach Yo has really settled in and we're starting to get to know each other. She coaches me like a veteran. She knows that I know what is expected, so she's not going to do the extra ra-ra, but she's going to give me that look."
On standout newcomers:
"For me, Sarah (Dumitrescu). She is a freshman that plays the three or four. She's exciting. She brings something to the team that normal freshmen don't. People kind of view freshmen that they don't know anything and that they will struggle. But Sarah has really stood out to me in how she carries herself as a freshman, how she wants to step into that leadership role, and show that just because she's a freshman, she doesn't have to act like one."
On goals:
"One thing we preach is win. We don't want to be where we were last year. That's a very big emphasis. Just walking into our practice, you know that we want to win."
On the struggles in SEC play last year:
"It was very difficult because it gets discouraging at times when you are losing. But when you look at the bigger picture, you don't want to put too much pressure on yourself because you have to understand the situation that you are in. You don't put expectations that you know you can't meet. Just to get three wins as a brand-new team and a brand-new staff, that itself was an achievement. But now we look forward to something different because we're not where we were last year."
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin
Players Mentioned
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