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We are still about 3 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with UNLV SR PG Kiara Jackson, who talked about being undefeated in conference tourney play and her expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Texas: what made you choose UNLV? I chose UNLV because I had a great relationship with the coaching staff, and they made it feel like a home away from home. I also felt like I could come in and play right away as a freshman.
You play for Coach Lindy La Rocque: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from her so far? I think what makes her a good coach is that she is our biggest critic but also our biggest cheerleader. She is going to push us and be hard on us, but she is also going to encourage us. There are times when she believes in us more than we believe in ourselves.
You played in 32 of 33 games as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just came in, worked hard, and did what the coaches were asking me to do.
You were named conference 6th Player of the Year as a sophomore and All-MWC 1st-team as a junior: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? It meant a lot: it just showed that all the hard work I had put in was paying off.
Last year you led the nation in AST/TO ratio at 3.49: what is the secret to being a great PG? I think the secret to being a great PG is trusting my teammates: I could not get those assists if not for them.
You lost 7 games as a freshman and only lost 6 games combined during the past 2 years: has it reached a point where the fans just expect you to win every time you step onto the court? I think the fans do expect us to win every time we step on the court, but it is also an expectation we have for ourselves.
You are 9-0 in conference tourney play: what is the secret to winning games in March? It starts over the summer, putting the work in all year long, and trusting that your work will pay off when it is tournament time.
You are 0-3 in NCAA tourney play: what will it take to get over the hump next March? I just think we need to go in believing that we can play with these other teams.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My goals for this upcoming season are to just have fun with my teammates and leave it all out there on the court for my last year. My expectation is that we become 4-peat champs!