Nov. 29, 2010
Cat Scratches:
Cats trying to get past “selfish” tendencies | Video interviews with Liggins, Harrellson
| Gameday Information | |
|---|---|
| Game Notes |
Kentucky Game Notes  | Boston Game Notes |
| Date & Time | Tues., Nov. 30, 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Coverage | TV: FS South/BBSN Radio: BBSN GameTracker Live Blog Online Audio Live Video via ESPN3 Text Updates |
| Location | Rupp Arena Lexington, Ky. |
Following a four-game road swing, the Wildcats return to the familiar confines of Rupp Arena to host the Boston Terriers.
UK posted a 3-1 record on its four-game road trip, earning victories over Portland, Oklahoma and Washington en route to a second-place finish at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Kentucky’s lone blemish came against UConn in the championship game of the tournament.
Freshman Terrence Jones put up phenomenal numbers on the road trip, averaging 20.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. Jones was named to the Maui Invitational All-Tournament team after averaging 23.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.
Brandon Knight also averaged double-figures in the tournament, going for 14.3 points.
The Wildcats play a lone game against Boston before hitting the road for two more games.
Pregame Press Conference Quotes
#30, Eloy Vargas, F, Jr.
On Enes (Kanter) helping him in practice …
“He is helping me out a lot. He is a big guy to play defense against, which helps Josh (Harrellson) and I for when we have to guard guys as big and strong as him.”
On his reaction to hearing about Coach Calipari’s mother passing away with him having a loss in his family recently …
“I told Coach I was here for him, and I said a prayer for him and his family. We are both having to deal with losses in our personal life and going through a season, it will be tough, but we have the team and other coaches to help us along the way.”
On what they have been working on in preparation for Boston on Tuesday night …
“We have been working on talking on defense, and communicating more. On the offensive side, we have been working on executing better.”
#34, DeAndre Liggins, G, Jr.
On what the team learned on their trip to Maui …
“We learned that we needed to talk on defense, and everyone was being selfish, trying to get their own and not playing as a team. We just need to learn to talk and communicate more, and we’ll be fine.”
On the positive aspects from the trip and playing three games in three days …
“We saw some positives from the young guys. We just have to continue to grow as a team and learn to play together. The first two games we played good, but the last game we were tired a little bit and that is not an excuse. UConn is a great team, and Kemba Walker is a great scorer. We just have to adjust and go back to the drawing board.”
On a loss helping them move forward …
“A loss early in the year can help us move forward tremendously. Last year we didn’t lose until the middle of the season, but I think it’s better to lose early in the season, learn from it, and move on.”
#55, Josh Harrellson, F, Sr.
On if coach has driven the point of needing to be less selfish home…
“Oh yeah. That’s pretty much what we have focused on, is just on offense, trying to get open shots for our teammates and just helping each other out when we can on defense.”
On if he considers this team selfish before the Connecticut game…
“Well before the game we never looked at it like that. That game, when we would break down on offense, everyone would just try to do it themselves rather than as a team. So, yeah you can consider that selfish, but I think people are just trying to do what is the best thing for the team; just in the wrong way.”
On the teams fight…
“It was definitely tough (to play three games in three days). We don’t have the depth like we had last year and we don’t have 13 players like last year that can all play, so it was tough especially in that third game. Everyone came out and was really tired, but we played through it.”
On if the team panicked in the Connecticut game…
“Oh yeah, definitely. The new guys are not used to being down; especially by 20. When we were down by ten points, you know that’s fine, but when it gets to 21, everyone starts panicking not knowing what to do. It was really tough to come back from.”
