Kentucky-Tennessee Postgame Quotes
KENTUCKY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
KENTUCKY VS. TENNESSEE
MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
FEBRUARY 26, 2023
UK COACH KYRA ELZY
On adjustments made in response to Tennessee’s early run …
“We really talked about attacking the paint, playing off two feet, get there and if you do not have the shot, make the defense sub and pass out for an open shot or go up on balance. We tried to mix up our defense, we went man and zone and then we talked about attacking out of the ball screen. I think we got some great looks when we went downhill off the ball screen.”
On defensive takeaways entering the SEC tournament …
“We forced them into 21 turnovers so continuing to sellout defensively and continuing to talk. When we were talking and flying around good things happened for us. We have to finish consistently with box outs but we have enough to play how we need to play to generate some stops.”
On emotions for senior day and focus on the game …
“Well, it’s hard not to get caught up in senior day and not be emotional, you try to keep your emotions in check. I always tease them saying ‘senior day is not where you’re going to see the tears it’s when that final buzzer goes off, that makes it different.’ I think when you look around as a coach and you know it’s coming to an end you have a different appreciation for them. I was watching Blair in game day Practice today and she was just shooting and singing and I was like I remember when she committed to Kentucky and in the blink of an eye it’s over. So just trying to cherish them, enjoy them and soak it all in right now.”
On the SEC Tournament…
“You’ve played these teams, now it’s just a matter of going in, watching the game again, making adjustments from the first time you played them.”
On using their run from the SEC Tournament last year as motivation…
“You talk to them about the resiliency that team had. Obviously, that was a magical run and I don’t want to put that type of pressure on them, but our goal right now is 1-0. We’re focusing on the one game in front of us and that’s all we can do. One game at a time.”
On the Tennessee team and the way they play as they transition towards March…
“They are extremely athletic and versatile. They can score in transition and in multiple ways. Their transition offense is very good and also their ability to rebound the ball. I think that is what makes them who they are.”
On the team’s mindset going into post season…
“We’re not quitting. That’s not a part of our DNA, that’s not what this program is made of. It is a rough time in Kentucky women’s basketball, there is no mistake about it, but this program is built to last. We are going to continue to fight and prepare and sell out on the floor until it’s over. It’s not over yet, so until then we will continue to fight and continue to work. I’ve been through tough times at Kentucky. This will not be the first, this will not be the last, but we will find a way from here. We’ve always been resilient, and this will be no different.”
KENTUCKY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
KENTUCKY VS. TENNESSEE
MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
FEBRUARY 26, 2023
Kentucky Player Quotes
#1, Robyn Benton, G
On what Senior Day meant to them…
“Um, I went out the way I wanted to go out – in the black uniforms, my Jordan socks, my Kobe shoes, my hair slicked back. I went out guns blazing, and I’ll have some memories in Memorial that I’ll never forget. I’m just thankful and grateful that I had this moment.
On the last play she made before making her exit from the game…
“It wasn’t a foul. I’m telling you, I’m telling you – I don’t know what it is with these referees. But like we’re down by 20 and they’re still giving them calls. I’m like “what?”, but um yeah, I wanted to go out with a bang and I felt like I did.”
On her mindset heading to Greenville for the SEC Tournament…
“Yeah, we’re just gonna take it – you know, one game at a time. Um, whoever we play, we’re gonna do our best and just try to survive and advance. That’s all, that’s what March is about.
On her favorite memories in Memorial Coliseum…
“If I had to rank my best – I have two. In the beginning of the year, when I hit like 4 threes in a row versus Ohio. And then, when I first got here my junior year, we played Indiana. We were down, we were coming back, and I hit a big three to take the lead versus Indiana. And then, I think I got fouled, and I literally did like this to the camera [hand gesture] – like, hey, it’s that time. And made the three
throws and we ended up beating Indiana, and they were top 10 I think.”
# 5 Blair Green, G
On their last game and memories in Memorial…
“I mean, this is the last game in Memorial. I think just looking back over the years it’s just like all the memories that’s been made in here, all the victories and all the highs and lows. Just it’s kind of funny because me and Nene one of the coaches, she would take me up to the very top and we would just like, look back on some of the things that have happened over the years, just the highs and lows and just like how much this place actually means to us and just this building and the core of it. So, I think that was some very special moments just over the last couple of weeks. And just like reflecting on that stuff, but yeah, there’s some amazing memories made in here and it just means everything to me.”
On their mindset going into the WBB SEC Tournament…
“Yeah, just our mindset is zero to zero. Everyone’s zero to zero. I mean, we didn’t really have the SEC season that we wanted. But at this point, how are we going to change it? How do we want this to look? I mean, at this point, we’re all playing for a championship. And no one’s record matters at this point. It’s just whoever wants it more. So, I think that’s definitely our mindset.” … (spoken later) “And also, I just think looking back there’s a lot of teams that we there’s a lot of games that we look back on and we’re like, man, we really owe this team like we should have beat them and won a couple of these games and stuff. So, I think we’re like really ready just to get these games back and prove that we should have won those games.”
On her favorite memory in memorial…
“Yeah, definitely when we hit the game winner against Arkansas. Vanderbilt when I had to play point guard and we pulled that one out. Yeah, there’s a lot of memories that go back. Yeah, that’s just a few but Texas A&M We beat me they were like top five.”
On when it hit that it was their last game in memorial…
“Definitely I think when they subbed us out at that moment, it just hit that it was the end for Memorial. But, at the same time just keeping our mindset it might be the last game in Memorial but it’s not our last game with the Kentucky jersey on. We’ll definitely carry it on.” … (spoken later) “Yeah, I think it’s just been a good week of just reflecting not only like this game but just like reflecting of all the good memories that have happened on that court.”
On going down as one of the most popular players in Kentucky WBB history and thanking the BBN…
“They’ve built me to who I am today and that I just want to continue just to give back and just be a role model for the kids around that area. Never give up, continue to chase your dreams. You can be here to or whatever you do, whether that’s basketball, softball or any other hobby that you have, as long as you work at it, you can get to wherever you are. So, I just want to continue to give back.”
#25, Adebola Adeyeye, F
On their last game and memories in Memorial…
“Last game in Memorial Coliseum as it is. Honestly, just being able to play in that type of gym and the environment with the fans who don’t give up on us, who keep coming, who keep cheering, they just keep giving us energy. It’s honestly has been a blessing and just being able to be in this type of environment. It just feels so surreal as a kid from Canada who like nobody really believed in. The staff believed in me, the team believed in me, the fans believed in me and they just kept on pouring out, so I’m eternally grateful to the Big Blue Nation, my coaching staff and just to the University of Kentucky and it’s been amazing.”
On their mindset going into the WBB SEC Tournament…
“It’s how Blair said it who wants it more? Clearly amnesia. Zero zero. We don’t care about them. We’re just going to go play whoever’s in front of us. Want to know that’s all we’re thinking. 00 go in there and fight.”
On when it hit that it was their last game in memorial…
“I don’t know if it’s hit me yet. See, when my family came it hit me. Playing with my teammates and all, but I don’t know. It’s just a surreal.” Yeah, I think it’s just been a good week. Of just reflecting of just not only like this game but just like reflecting of all the good memories that’s been on that court.
