|
Chat Reel: Alana Beard
Devils have their sights set on the Final Four
Posted: Wednesday February 14, 2001 4:19 PM
Updated: Wednesday February 14, 2001 4:19 PM
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Alana Beard, Welcome Alana thanks for joining us.
Alana Beard: Thanks, it's great to be here. Thanks for having me.
From Carole Ross in Durham, N.C.: What has been the most difficult part of making the transition to the college game and to a new coaching staff? I know that you have been very homesick, but we all love you here at Duke! Go Devils!
Alana Beard: Just probably the focus level, staying focused for 40 minutes, for every practice, every game, the whole time. Other than that, everything is great.
From Cody in Herkimer, N.Y.: Alana, is it hard to try to live up to the hype that the mens' team has?
Alana Beard: Not at all. It's great because in a way, the men's team sort of helps us out by being Duke. It's just fun being here and making a name for your own team.
From Jessie Strauss in Durham, N.C.: Alana, how have you enjoyed your time at Duke so far? Is it difficult to balance the transition to living away from home, with your schoolwork and your basketball responsibilities?
Alana Beard: It can get difficult at times, especially if you have tests and papers coming up. My first semester has been really tough. I wrote 50 papers. Everything else has been great. You just have to learn the system. But the social life has been really great, and I'm really loving it.
From kiaga: You came to Duke highly touted, but you've exceeded even those expectations. Have you surprised yourself at all with how good a season you're having?
Alana Beard: No, right now I just give God all the glory for bringing me this far. I just have the type of mentality that I hate to be beaten. The teammates and the coaches have really helped me to the point that I know that I can work my butt off and push me harder every day.
FromBarry in Phoenix: Alana, congratulations on a great season so far! What is your natural position? Are you more of a two or a three? Can you play the point?
Alana Beard: I like the wing. The two and the three are about the same position. I got comfortable with it when I got here, but I'm naturally a wing.
From Section 7 in Durham, N.C.: Alana, glad to have you back! I am a season ticket holder, and have enjoyed watching you play this season. How is the soft cast effecting your ball handling? Has it taken anything away from your game? Go Duke!
Alana Beard: I don't like to say it's taken anything away, but it's a hamper at times. But you just got to fight through it.
From Nesbie Jones in New York: I have a 13-year-old daughter who plays basketball for her elementary school and an AAU team. She has good skills and abilities, but often does not "dominate" a game. She chooses to distribute the ball as oppose to taking her shots. How do I get her to become more confident in her abilities and look to be more offensive minded?
Alana Beard: That always comes with the growing process. It's great that she's looking to distribute the ball, at a young age like that. She's going to be a great player. Tell her to keep working hard.
From How: What was it like to be one of the most recruited freshman in the country, and how did you decide on Duke?
Alana Beard: It was a great experience. I just knew when I visited that this was the place for me. I prayed about it a lot. It was no doubt in my mind, and I love it here so far.
From Dee: Do you feel your team is on the same level as Tennessee and Connecticut?
Alana Beard: Definitely, I really do. I think we have the talent, leadership and of course the experience. It's just that we have to work a little harder every day in practice. But I definitely see us as a contender for the Final Four on that level.
From How: Do you have aspirations to go onto the WNBA?
Alana Beard: Definitely, right now I'm just sort of focusing on the college game right now and the academics, but I would love to play in the WNBA when I get out of college. It's a dream of mine.
From Dave: Do you think that Duke is a stronger team because of your injury?
Alana Beard: Oh definitely. I was always told that if I had to take this injury in order for the team to become better, I'll do it anytime. I think that the confidence level of everyone has improved a lot. We're a much stronger team.
From Rob: What do you think of the ACC now that you've seen it up close. I don't suppose you followed many ACC teams when you were in high school.
Alana Beard: It's a tough league. It's a battle, if you look at the rankings right now, it's a clutter after first place. I think we have one of the toughest leagues in the NCAA. From kiaga: Someone recently said to me that the biggest weakness at Duke right now is the post defense. Was this guy wacked or do you need to improve that much defensively to make it to the Final Four?
Alana Beard: I think as a team we have a lot of areas to improve.
The post defense is one, but the perimeter defense is another. There are just a lot of areas we need to improve at to contend for that Final Four.
From Jdevil: What are the team's goals for the season?
Alana Beard: Team goals? Of course, our team goals are to finish first in the ACC and then go on to win the title. And then just to stay focused throughout the Sweet 16 and be a contender for the Final Four.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Alana Beard. Alana, thanks for joining us.
Alana Beard: Thanks for having me!
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
