Boston College Athletics
Corey Rusin Talks BC Women's Basketball
March 19, 2008 | Women's Basketball
March 19, 2008
Junior captain Corey Rusin and the Eagles will play their first WNIT game on Monday, March 24. They will play the winner of Thursday's Vermont-Dartmoth game. Rusin sat down to talk about the postseason and her future plans.
Q: You and Brittanny Johnson are the only players to experience tournament play. What will you tell your teammates?
My freshman year we both went to the Sweet 16. We didn't play a lot, but the experience really helped us understand what it takes to make it to the tournament and be successful. It was easy to explain to the team how all the hard work this year pays off. Last year we didn't make the tournament; we didn't make anything it was really disappointing. We were all a little disappointed we didn't make the NCAA Tournament this year, especially coming off a really successful season this year, but we all talked about how there are a lot of teams that didn't make any tournament. We're a young team and it's going to be a good experience to play more games and to still play against good competition. There aren't many teams that are still playing and it's important that we still are.
Q: Any advice for the younger players on how to deal with the postseason pressure?
We have a lot of young players starting and playing a lot so I think they have already dealt with the pressure all year long. I think we're all excited to just to play in the tournament and have the opportunity to win a tournament. I don't think any of them are really nervous. We are all just more excited than anything.
Q: After not being included in the NCAA Tournament, is the team motivated to prove them wrong?
Yes, definitely. We were all watching the selection show together and it was definitely a big disappointment. It was especially hard for Brittany and I, because one year we went to the Sweet 16 and then the next year we didn't go anywhere. We have this opportunity to prove ourselves. There are a lot of good teams in the NIT this year, so we are still going to gain experience. We are excited to prove ourselves again because we think we did that toward the end of the season.
Q: Which player or players have surprised you the most this season?
I would say Carolyn Swords. We expected a lot from her coming in a freshman. She's 6'6 and she was going to start and play a lot. She's confident and motivated and she works her butt off. I think she proved herself all year. I don't think she got as much recognition as she deserved, because she was consistent all year long and that really helped us. In conference play, she kept up with all the big dogs, including Crystal Langhorne, who was named ACC Player of the Year. I think she really proved herself to a lot of people and she is definitely a player you need to look out for in the future.
Q: How long did it take the team to come together this season, since you added six freshmen, a red-shirt senior and the return of Brittanny Johnson?
I think that was one of the things we focused on in the summer, before the season started. We tried to get the team camaraderie and team chemistry up before we even got out on the court together. Having a young team, we really needed to be disciplined this year and that's kind of hard to do when you have more freshmen than upperclassmen. I think it took us a little while in the beginning to get the chemistry going and we have a few tough losses to UMass and Fairfield, but I think those losses taught us a lot. I think we definitely proved ourselves to a lot of people. A lot of people didn't think we were going to do as well as we did.
Q: Does that give you motivation for next year, with a young team coming back?
Yes. Even making the NIT helps because it is so important for us to keep playing. At one point, we were the talk of the ACC. We were battling for fourth place. We lost a couple right at the end that we should have won against Florida State and Virginia. We kept close to Maryland in the ACC Tournament and people are definitely looking out for us next year. We have a ton of freshmen and we are not losing a lot of people.
Q: Was there a point during practice or a game when it clicked and you all realized you were playing on a good team?
I think it was even before the season started this year. It was when the freshmen came in and played pick up with us. They were smart and talented and we just competed against each other. We knew if it went on all year long, we would make each other better and better.
Q: What has been the most exciting basketball moment for you this season?
I think the most exciting thing this season was conference play. We were 7-7, which is the most wins in the ACC by BC ever. I don't think there was any one game we went into in conference play that we didn't think we could win. I think we knew we would struggle a little bit because we're young and we've had problems with turnovers. But we all had confidence and we really believed in our staff, our game prep and each other.
Q: What do you enjoy most about playing at Boston College?
I think playing in the ACC. It's just a dream. You grow up and watch all these girls play. You grow up watching the UConn, Duke and North Carolina girls play and I definitely think it was one of the reasons I chose to play at BC, which is a rising program that plays against the top programs. You come here and you work hard every single day. It's about all the blood, the sweat, the tears, just like that quote says. You work your whole life to get to that point. It was a dream coming to BC.
Q: When you're away from the court, what other sports or hobbies do you really enjoy?
I love sports in general. I watch SportsCenter all the time. I'm from Vermont, so all there really was to do was play sports. I was a huge soccer play in high school. I attend a lot of the BC soccer games and I try to keep that in my life. I am also a huge movie fan. I love to watch movies and go to the movies.
Q: Describe the demands and pressures of balancing your academic load with your basketball schedule at Boston College.
I think it's one of the toughest things I've ever had to deal with. Basketball is very time demanding. Academics are supposed to come first, but basketball is a job. My freshman and sophomore year I had a hard time dealing with the balance, because I came from a small town it was hard to get in the groove of things. You really have to manage your time. I still find it to be difficult as a junior captain, who is looking after her team and wanting them to be successful. I lead best I can. It's a challenge when you get back to your room late from practice and have homework to do. Even trying to balance a social life is really tough. But in the end, it's all worth it, the whole experience is worth it.
Q: Do you have any future plans yet after graduation?
I have a few ideas. I've always wanted to play overseas and travel. A lot of my friends are overseas playing right now and they love it. I love traveling so I would like to get the chance to do that.
Q: What are your summer plans?
My teammate Rebecca Miles is from Australia. We were talking one day and she said that I should visit and after talking to my parents, I ended up booking a flight. I am going to for four weeks this summer.
Q: If Vermont wins on Thursday (against Dartmouth), what will it be like to play your home-state college?
I am kind of hoping to play them, especially to get a little revenge. They beat us last year in the Rhode Island tournament. It was kind of disappointing. It will be fun because I know some of the girls on the team and I'm sure we will get a lot of fans. I was recruited there, so I know the coaches very well. They know who I am and I know who they are.
