Gary Blair, A&M WBB ready for a fast-paced SEC opener in Fayetteville

Key notes from Gary Blair interview

• We played this schedule to get us ready for SEC play. I think we're RPI #9 in the country. We've played a lot of different styles so far, but nothing like this Arkansas team. They play very fast, and we're going to have to find a way to stop it.
   
• I think with Mike Neighbors being at a couple of other places as an assistant, then the coach at Washington and took them to the Final Four, he’s learned a lot and seen a lot of different things. He had some excellent two-person teams. Now he just has a team full of kids that shoot, and the kids like doing it. Fast to the offense, quick to getting back on defense.
   
• We want the game in the 70s; Mike wants it in the 90s. That's the contrasting of styles. If you remember back when we played Team USA, we hung with them for a little bit, but they got to our bench, and we couldn't keep up. We can't get into foul trouble and keep up with them.
   
• This is going to be Aaliyah Wilson's first SEC game in a few years since she transferred from Arkansas. We need to make sure she's getting back on the defensive end. She's playing very well right now, and we could use a double-figure game from her.
   
• I think what happens when you have a prolific scorer like Chennedy Carter; it comes in spurts. Against FSU, it came in the first quarter. Then we had some others get into foul trouble, and we were down by eight at the half. Then coming back in the second half, both Kayla Wells and Chennedy were in foul trouble, and we were behind the 8-ball.
   
• We are outstanding in transition, getting the ball into the post. Arkansas loves that transition game as well, and they want to get a shot up in nine seconds. We need to pick and choose our spots to attack them without overextending ourselves because they will strike quickly.
   
• This league has some outstanding freshmen this season. All throughout the league, there are great ones. Very few teams have as many veterans as we do. You have to hope that those veterans make a difference for us, especially on the road.

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