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Chat Reel: Georgia's Andy Landers
Women's hoops coach comments on upcoming season
Posted: Monday November 15, 1999 04:49 PM
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Landers thinks that the three most talented teams are "UConn, Tennessee, and UCLA." Jim Gund/Allsport |
Georgia's women's basketball coach Andy Landers participated in a chat with CNNSI.com users as the season began. A transcript of the chat follows:
CNNSI Host: We'd like to welcome Georgia women's basketball coach Andy Landers.
Andy Landers: It's great to be here on opening day. I'm excited about the chat and the game with UAB tonight.
From Rob: I'm a UGA grad and a big fan of the UGA men's and women's programs. I really appreciate what you've done for the UGA women's program. What is status of UGA exploring getting a new b'ball arena? Is anything happening? What would you like to see happen?
Andy Landers: To my knowledge no conversations have taken place regarding a new arena. I think there is a need and certainly all of us associated with basketball enjoy a modernized facility.
From Warren: Hey Coach Landers! First I want to say I'm in your pep band, and we all love the Lady Dawgs and are pumped about this season! My question is how will the loss of Elana vs. the addition of the Jucos you signed will affect our inside game? Thanks and Go Dawgs!
Andy Landers: The junior college players that we have are probably more suited to play down low than Elena was. Elena preferred to play on the perimeter facing the basket, which wasn't going to happen here with the quality of guards. We miss her. She was a pleasant and positive person.
From Guest: Has Kelly Miller emerged as vocal leader for your team? Who is the Dogs' leader on the court?
Andy Landers: Kelly has become more vocal, but still isn't as vocal as we would like for her to be at the point position. But the person who has assumed the leadership role has been Tawana McDonald.
From Guest: You have a junior college player on your team this year. Will it take time for her to adjust to Division I play?
Andy Landers: There is definitely a transition period for a junior college player. While they have two additional years of maturity and experience over high school players, the jump to the Southeastern Conference is a huge and dramatic jump.
From Limp: Coach Landers, did y'all get any real good freshmen who might be good now or down the road to help your team?
Andy Landers: I'm excited about all three of our freshman. Tina Taylor as yet to practice because of a knee injury. Mary Beth Lycett will probably play a role similar to Pam Irwin. Tameiko Washington will be a very solid player, but probably sometime during her sophomore year.
From Guest: Who do you think will win the title this year?
Andy Landers: It's more balanced this season among the top teams. I think the three most talented teams are UConn, Tennessee, and UCLA. I think Georgia, La. Tech and Penn State will be able compete with them at the end of the season.
From Guest: What do you think Georgia can/should do to improve attendance at women's basketball games?
Andy Landers: We need to continue to make a great commitment to promotions and improve the game night atmosphere. We would like to accomplish a balance in our weekend scheduling. But our attendance has risen gradually in the last three years, and we look for that to continue.
From Guest: Is the SEC stronger than it was last year? Do you think it's the strongest in the country?
Andy Landers: Yes and yes. And I think it will be stronger in 2000-2001.
From Guest: Which teams, looking forward at your schedule, do you think will be the biggest challenge? How do you plan to take them on?
Andy Landers: I think in the preconference schedule each game will be a challenge because we will be adjusting and tweaking our offense and lineup. Certainly as we enter the conference schedule the challenge is on a game to game basis.
From Guest: Were you surprised by Sunday's upsets? Do you anticipate that this season could be very different from people's expectations?
Andy Landers: I was surprised somewhat by the Tennessee game. I think NC State in their game with Rutgers displayed the fact that they have some very talented young players. If those teams can perform consistently at that level they will have a very good season.
Andy Landers: The La. Tech - Tennessee game was a surprise because of the game being played in Knoxville. I think as the season continues the better teams will find their stride, adjust and tweak, and upsets will not be all that common.
From Guest: I have read that you and the Millers twins have had some conflicts -- do you think these conflicts will help or hurt your team, and do you think the media is making it into too big of a deal?
Andy Landers: You can't believe everything you read. If we didn't have great relationship, I wouldn't say that we did, but we do. Are they a challenge to coach at times? Yes. But they're even more enjoyable to coach because they bring so much to the table without external motivation. The media has a job to do. I recognize and respect that. However, I caution everyone to understand that oftentimes facts are tainted by viewpoints of the media. One of the best media articles that I have seen recently was by Steve Rushin and Sport Illustrated entitled "Who's Sorry Now" in last week's issue.
From Guest: What makes a great coach, as opposed to a "good" coach?
Andy Landers: I think great coaches have a passion or an added passion for the game and a strive for excellence and for their players. They have an internal drive that will not allow them to except anything but the best.
From Guest: Besides Tina Taylor, is everyone else pretty healthy on the team?
Andy Landers: Yes. Two recovering sprained ankles -- McDonald and Coco Miller.
From Guest: In which areas do you feel the team still needs to improve?
Andy Landers: I think our ability to play together defensively and the area of rebounding the basketball would be at the top of our list.
CNNSI Host: Thanks for joining us today, Coach Landers! Best of luck this season.
Andy Landers: Thank you.
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