Feb. 5, 2002
Coach Tubby Smith
On preparing for Tennessee…
“We want to try to stay focused on taking it one game at a time. We try to do that as best as we can. We are preparing our guys to concentrate on the specific tasks – practicing, correcting mistakes and our next game.”
On win over South Carolina…
“We made some good plays. The best part about the South Carolina game was that we got a lot of people in the game. All the guys made shots and it’s big when you can shoot over 60 percent in the first half, that sort of sets the tone for the game. It also frees us up better when Cliff (Hawkins) can make shots. It was nice to have J.P (Blevins) back in there.”
On Tennessee…
“They’re coming off two big wins and have won five of their past six games. Vincent Yarbrough is probably the leading candidate for the league’s most valuable player. He’s having a great year, he’s been very consistent in his play, and it’ll be a challenge for us to control and contain him.”
On UT forward Marcus Haislip…
“I think he’s not only one of the best forwards in the Southeastern Conference but in the nation as well. I don’t think he’s come close to what his potential is as a player, which is scary because he’s very good now.”
On playing the Vols in Knoxville…
“If we come with the type of energy that we’ve played with the last couple of games and we can build on what we did against South Carolina and Florida, then I think we can make a game of it.”
On Keith Bogans…
“I thought he played fairly well against Florida coming off the bench and Chuck Hayes played pretty well. But I put Keith back in the lineup because I felt like I sent the message and now let’s move on. What concerns me is when he allows not scoring effect his defense and focus at the other end of the court.”
On which players are sacrificing the most…
“We have a great group of guys and I can’t single one player out. They all make sacrifices or they wouldn’t be playing. However, I can point out when they’re not sacrificing and when they’re being selfish. I know quickly when they’re not making the sacrifices they need to be making.”
On playing as a team…
“Whether you’re at the highest or lowest level of competition, if you can get your team to believe that you must play as a team, you’re going to be successful. After watching the Patriots not being announced individually, I truly think that was a key for them being a successful team.”
Keith Bogans
On tomorrow’s game…
“I am sure it’s going to be a tough game. We have to go and play a full 40 minutes both offensively and defensively.”
On his good shooting at Tennessee…
“It’s a good shooting gym. I always seem to have a good game when I play there.”
On playing the Volunteers…
“I’m always pumped up about playing Tennessee. I’m not sure why, but Tennessee always gets me jacked up.”
Tayshaun Prince
On what UK needs to do from here on out…
“We need to stay consistent. We need to keep shooting the ball well and continue to play good defense.”
On what UK has changed recently…
“We have to come together as a basketball team, and we are starting to do that. We are getting contributions from everyone, and not just a few people.”
Jules Camara
On the difficulty of making sacrifices for the benefit of the team…
“It’s not easy. A lot of people struggle with that. It’s good for me, though. I want to win a national championship, so I am willing to make the sacrifice.”
On Tennessee…
“They are a very good team. It will be a tough game.”
On what Coach Tubby Smith wanted the team to learn from the New England Patriots…
“We need to be a team. We need to do things together, especially at this time of year.”
Chuck Hayes
On the team’s renewed optimism…
“We’ve put ourselves back in the chase. We have to capitalize and keep winning. Anybody can lose on any given night, so we have to take advantage.”
On his season so far…
“It’s been fun, though very up and down. I’m getting more comfortable as the season moves along. I’m comfortable with my role and what I need to do. I’m getting acclimated to the program, Coach Smith and Lexington. I’m just rolling with it.
On the team’s up and down nature…
“We’re very unpredictable sometimes. You’ve seen two sides of this team this year. But you’ve also seen that when we bring it, we are tough to beat.”
On Tennessee…
“They’re huge. They have a lot of athleticism. They have a great player in Slay. We’ll just have to control the glass.”
Cliff Hawkins
On the return of J.P. Blevins and how it is affecting him…
“It helps the team to know that everyone is healthy. It just gives us another weapon to go to. I’m just going to go out there and do my job the best I can. When I’m on the bench, I will cheer as much as anybody.”
