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| | Wednesday, March 14 Chat wrap: Ruth Riley | ||||||
Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Wednesday, March 14, the woman who makes the Notre Dame women's basketball team go, Ruth Riley, slid into chat to field user questions. Riley was recently named the Big East player of the year and is also a Naismith and All-American candidate. She has led Notre Dame to the No. 1 ranking twice this season. Currently the team is 28-2 after losing to No. 2 Connecticut in the Big East Conference final 78-76. This season Riley started all 30 regular-season games and averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Riley was the first women's player in Notre Dame history to earn first-team Associated Press All-America honors last season. She is the Irish career leader in blocked shots and owns the Irish career field-goal percentage mark at .634. For more information on Riley, check out Notre Dame's official website.
TF from [152.160.56.93], at 11:35am ET Good luck in the tourney, what do you think will be the team's biggest challenge?  Ruth Riley at 11:36am ET
Thank you! Our biggest challenge will be everyone staying healthy and playing on top of their game. Irishfan from [128.169.120.177], at 11:36am ET Ruth, who started the headband craze, you or Tamika Catchings? Ruth Riley at 11:37am ET
I've always worn in since high school and I'm not sure when she started wearing it. valpou45 from [208.137.7.128], at 11:37am ET What have you as a team taken from the loss to UConn, and used as motivation for the tournament? Ruth Riley at 11:38am ET
Losing that close of a game makes you realize how much each possession is really worth. Going into the tournament we feel good because we are playing so well right now. John from [208.37.197.163], at 11:38am ET Are you upset that you have to potentially beat both Tennessee and UCONN for the national championship, while UCONN draws a potential matchup with Duke in the semifinal? Ruth Riley at 11:39am ET
It's not really frustrating. To be able to do that would really mean we were No. 1. The three teams are such powerhouses that whoever wins will really deserve it. Sal from [63.125.81.254], at 11:39am ET Even though Notre Dame fell short at UCONN That was a great game, was that the best game you ever played in? Ruth Riley at 11:39am ET
It was probably one of the most intense games I've ever played in yes. Brett Bosse from [128.230.169.221], at 11:40am ET This year was by far a breakout year for your program, one in which you established yourselves as one of the true elites in the nation. What do you think was the difference, and what are your chances of ending your run with two wins in St. Louis? Ruth Riley at 11:41am ET
I think it's maturity on our team. We have a lot of seniors an so much experience on this team that it shows on the floor. Out for Justice from [216.143.83.94], at 11:41am ET Do you think people will put an asterisk by Notre Dame WHEN you win it all because of the injuries to Catchings, Ralph and Abrosimova? It seems like the media just always wants UT and UConn to be #1 and they have trouble seeing it any other way. Ruth Riley at 11:42am ET
It's understandable because they have been a powerhouse for so long but the media is opening up to the fact that women's basketball is on the rise and that is a good thing. Darius from [204.73.55.10], at 11:42am ET Things must be pretty crazy around campus with both the women's and the men's team having a good chance to advance far in the tournament? Ruth Riley at 11:43am ET
It's a little crazy but everyone has been so supportive about the chances for both the programs. Wanda from [207.206.16.162], at 11:43am ET What are your postcollege plans? Ruth Riley at 11:44am ET
I plan on going to grad school, not this fall but the following fall. Probably pursuing psychology which is my major still. Greg from [205.213.111.50], at 11:44am ET Do you think momentum is a key factor in winning the NCAA tourney? Ruth Riley at 11:45am ET
I think it is extremely important. YOu have six games to play and everyone is as important as the next so you have to maintain your intensity. Scott from [152.163.195.188], at 11:45am ET How does your team and yourself keep from getting a big head going into the tournament, after you were ranked #1 twice, and you were voted to Big East Player of the Year? Ruth Riley at 11:46am ET
I think personality wise we are all really laid back. We don't pay a lot of attention to the press. But we remember what happened last year and that was a hard lesson to learn. We haven't forgotten that. Murf from [64.129.34.53], at 11:46am ET How do you prepare yourself for each game? Do you have any pre-game rituals? Ruth Riley at 11:47am ET
Kind of. I don't know if I want to tell you though! I listen to the same songs before each game. Mike Dedo from [66.26.193.142], at 11:48am ET You strike fear in opposing players as well as coaches. I am a practice player for Tennessee, and their #1 goal is to stop you. Do you think that puts any added pressure on you? Ruth Riley at 11:49am ET
Not really. I feel like my teammates are talented enough to take that pressure away if I get doubleteamed. I know I can find an open player anytime I want. bob from [207.70.34.3], at 11:49am ET what is your favorite movie? Ruth Riley at 11:49am ET
Hoosiers! Leo Gorman from [207.172.11.147], at 11:49am ET For ND to win against the best teams, you have to have a lot of playing time. That means staying out of foul trouble. How do you plan to do that? Ruth Riley at 11:50am ET
I have done a pretty good job of that this year. It's just a matter of playing smart and not getting frustrated. nd2006 from [64.217.14.120], at 11:50am ET is it hard 2 get in 2 notre dame and in high school what kinda grades did u have Ruth Riley at 11:51am ET
Academically it is hard to get into Notre Dame. My grades are pretty good I guess! Walt from [205.152.165.254], at 11:51am ET Ruth, I realize that you've probabley been asked this a number of times, but I'm curious, & haven't found out elsewhere... Are you related, in any way that you know of, to Coach Pat Riley? Thanks!! Ruth Riley at 11:51am ET
I don't know! Not as far as I know but I haven't really researched it! john from [12.18.6.133], at 11:52am ET Any thoughts about playing in the WNBA? You are sure to be a very high draft pick. Ruth Riley at 11:52am ET
I would love to play in the WNBA. It's a great opportunity to play at the next level and stay in the U.S. Jazz from [208.61.61.196], at 11:53am ET Ruth, Why do you camp out in the lane for hours and not get called for 3 seconds????? I mean, during the UCONN game, one time you were in lane, I went to the bathroom and when I came back, you were STILL in the lane!!! What's up with that!?!?! Ruth Riley at 11:56am ET
You must not have missed the part of me leaving the lane and coming back in! The doubleteam doesn't allow me to camp out in the lane that long!!!! Thanks to everyone for all the questions. We appreciate the support and we expect to do big things in the tournament. Thanks everybody! | |||||||
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