Jan. 3, 2009
Kentucky Head Coach Matthew Mitchell
“We’re definitely proud of our five-game winning streak and I’m really proud of the way we won today. We won in convincing fashion over a good basketball team in Miami. It’s always tough to go on the road and win against a quality team. To perform the way we did today is really, really encouraging.”
On the team’s five-game winning streak…
“After the ETSU game, we were so down and so discouraged. We just knew that the only way to battle out of a slump would be to roll up our sleeves, go to work and have some discipline every day to do that. I thought we gave great effort at Louisville. That was the day we started competing and we’ve had a good attitude ever since that game. The big difference with our team has been our attitude and a little bit of knowing more of what our offense should produce as far as where shots should come from. I think that gave them the confidence they needed. This group has a great attitude, works hard, has been listening to coaching and is really going out and getting the job done out there.”
On Kentucky’s 11-2 run to start the second half …
“To start the second half, I really wanted for us to put the hammer down early. That was probably the best job we have done to start a second half. That’s what you want to do against a good team on the road. If you have a chance to create some separation, that’s what you need to do and I was very proud of the Wildcats for doing that today.”
On Victoria Dunlap’s 20-point, 15-rebound effort …
“Vic is just so versatile for us both offensively and defensively. She is just a really valuable player for our team and she came to play today.”
On Kentucky’s offensive success against Miami (Ohio) …
“We were just able to make good decisions against them. They were very aggressive both in their man and the zone, so there was a premium on making good decisions today. We talk about it all the time with our players – when we make good decisions, we play good offense. It is really clear to me that what we need to do to be successful offensively is to make good decisions.”
On Miami’s Jenna Schone …
“I think Schone had 12 or 14 points in the first 12 minutes and she is such an impressive player. Watching her on film, I was very concerned because she is so smart and changes speeds well. We were fortunate to have an athlete like Victoria who can switch. She can guard a perimeter player just like she does a post player.”
On Kentucky’s fans at the game …
“It was just such a great feeling walking out there. The Victory Club brought a bus up here and Carly and Vic both brought a lot of people up here. We were just very, very happy to see that big crowd out there cheering for us when we walked onto the court. It just shows you how passionate our fans are. A big thank you to every one of them. We sure loved having them here tonight.”
Kentucky Players
Junior forward/center Victoria Dunlap
On what has been different in the team’s five-game winning streak …
“I think it’s just people having the will to win and not letting up in any possession of the game. Everybody is coming into practice and knowing that we’ve got to get the job done.”
On her guarding of Miami’s Jenna Schone …
“I just had to be ready for a quick step. I needed to make sure I stayed down. It’s just a mental thing to be ready to move the way she goes.”
On the team’s 46-18 advantage in points in the paint …
“That’s something that Coach Mitchell has told us. Even though we aren’t as big as some people are, we can still be a force in the post. That was definitely an advantage for us today.”
On the difference in having a curtain as a free-throw backdrop at Miami …
“I try not to think about that, but it was definitely a big difference seeing a big curtain back there.”
