Nov. 10, 2002
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On AIA…
“As we get ready for this exhibition game against AIA, it gives us a way to measure where we are at this point in time. It will be a good test for us. They’ve struggled, but they’ve played some pretty good games against some pretty tough teams. It’s an exhibition game, so it’s a time to see how our guys are going to respond.”
On Camara…
“We will be without Jules Camara, who pulled a hamstring muscle in practice on Friday. I don’t know how long he’ll be out, but he’ll be out at least a week or so.”
On Monday’s game…
“It’s a good time to evaluate our players to see how much they’ve retained through practice. We want to get certain people in games for the first time. It’s the first time any of us have been to Rupp Arena this year.”
On two-a-days…
“Practice has been going well. We’re at a time where guys are ready to play against somebody else, because they’ve been pretty competitive in practice.”
On starting lineup…
“I’ll probably start Keith Bogans, Antwain Barbour, Gerald Fitch, Marquis Estill and Chuck Hayes. That’s just what I like at this point.”
On not practicing at Rupp…
“(AIA) will have an advantage on us because they’ve played in arenas like Assembly Hall. So yes, that is a concern. But we’re going to play the game, so we’ll see. We’re going to play in a lot of different places anyway, so it’s time to get started. I wish we did have a practice session there (Rupp Arena) but we can’t.”
Kentucky Player Quotes
Marquis Estill
On the team’s focus for Monday…
“We just want to play hard and be aggressive. Just do what ever it takes to get a victory.”
On what practices have been like…
“It’s been exciting and fun. Guys have been working hard and the intensity has picked up every day. Guys are just having a good time.”
On expectations for himself this season…
“I want to play a lot harder and be more aggressive inside. Just to be out on the court and take charge of any situation that I can.”
On Tubby Smith’s confidence in him…
“It makes me feel good as a player. It gives me confidence to know that he’s looking for me to be a good player.”
On the health of his knees…
“My knees are fine. You don’t have to worry about asking me any more questions about my knees.”
Chuck Hayes
On preparing to be a “running” team…
“We’ve put a lot of preparation in on that aspect of the game. Hopefully practice will make perfect.”
On also working on half-court game…
“You have to (pay attention to that). If the fastbreak isn’t there you have set up for something. Call out somebody’s number or set a play for the person that may have the hot hand that night. That’s why we go two-a-days, repetition is the key. As long as you get enough reps it will mold into your head just like riding a bike.”
On what can be accomplished in an exhibition game that can’t be accomplished in practice…
“We don’t have to run sprints if we mess up. The thing about an exhibition is that it’s a learning experience. It lets you know where you’re at and how much further you have to go.”
On how many people will see extended playing time this year…
“If we’re going to run, we’re going to have to get guys some time. Guys are going to get winded and it will take a little while before they get their second wind. If our agenda is to be a running team, you’re going have to have guys on the bench ready to come in and give a guy a blow.”
On the conditioning of the team…
“I think our conditioning is fine. We’ve been pushing each other really hard. Our strength coach and coaching staff have been pushing us in preseason as far as conditioning.”
Antwain Barbour
On playing against somebody other than own teammates…
“We’ve been playing against each other since the summer and it will just be great to play somebody else. Everybody knows how everybody plays and to finally get out and play against somebody else is going to be very exciting.”
On what the team expects to accomplish in the exhibition game…
“It’ll be good to go against another team and put all our hard work together. It’ll let us see where we stand at this point and see what we need to work on.”
On the transition to UK…
“My adjustment has been great thus far. To come in as a new player it’s hard to learn everything, but that’s why we practice. My adjustment is coming along well.”
On learning anything new about Tubby Smith since practice started…
“I haven’t really learned anything new. Coach Smith is a very great coach, if he wasn’t I wouldn’t be here. He’s an exciting coach to play for and he loves to win.”
On working out with this team as opposed to Wabash…
“This is fun coming in and playing with these guys. Everybody’s on the same level and all the players are great. I’m glad I made my decision to come to Kentucky, it’s just a great place to be.”
On his first appearance in Rupp Arena as a college player…
“I don’t think I’ll have any goose bumps, it’ll just be another chance for me to play and have fun and show everybody my talent.”
