Jan. 18, 2002
Coach Tubby Smith
On win over Ole Miss…
“I thought we played well the other night against a good Ole Miss team. One of the things we have to do is play with more consistency. We did play better but I’m still concerned about our ball-handling and taking care of the basketball. That’s going to be critical against a good Notre Dame team.”
On playing at Notre Dame…
“I know it will be their first home game with their student body back on campus. It’s always a big rivalry when we come to town and I’m sure they are going to be fired up about this game.”
On condition of his players…
“We’ve got to be focused and ready to play. Gerald (Fitch) turned his ankle yesterday, he was able to work it out some this morning, and Jules (Camara) has a gimpy knee. We’re just a little beat up and we don’t need that right now because we’re very thin. Hopefully we’ll get J.P. (Blevins) back soon and that will be a big plus for us.”
On matching up…
“We’re looking forward to going up to Notre Dame and play a team that played very well against Syracuse on Monday. We have some match-up concerns. They seem to be bigger in every spot outside of the point guard position and it’s not all in height but in weight as well. One of the things we are going to try to do is utilize our quickness on the perimeter and in the inside.”
On UND forwards Ryan Humphrey and Harold Swanagan…
“They are two physical players that are very strong and aggressive. Tayshaun (Prince), Jules (Camara), Marquis (Estill), Erik (Daniels) and Chuck (Hayes) will have their hands full in trying to control the boards and play post defense.”
On UND point guard Chris Thomas…
“I’ve been impressed with Chris Thomas, their freshman point guard. He is an outstanding player and I’ve been very impressed with his play.”
On UND…
“Most games they play are very close. They are a veteran team that you have to beat, they will not beat themselves. With David Graves, Humphrey and Swanagan, they are a very senior-laden team that’s been through the wars and has played very well in the Big East. They’ll be very competitive and we need to be able to handle and win the close game if need be on Saturday.”
On UK guard Cliff Hawkins…
“The shot at South Carolina was a big one for him. I think he’s starting to play with a lot more discipline in knowing when to attack, when to pull the ball back out, what offense we need to run and who needs to get the ball at certain times. He’s really gotten a lot better at that and he’s starting to come into his own. “
On UK forward Chuck Hayes…
“Chuck plays with a lot of energy and he comes in and does exactly what we ask him to do. He’s a physical player who doesn’t mind mixing it up and throwing a body around. He’s been one of our most consistent players, on the court and in practice.”
UK PLAYERS
Tayshaun Prince
On the importance of Saturday’s game…
“We know how important this game is. It’s not an SEC game, but we have to play it like it is. It’s a road game and it will be a good test for us.”
On the team approach to the game…
“We approach each game the same way. Our defensive intensity is going to be important. We need to get off to a great start like we did in the last game.”
Keith Bogans
On how he is handling his scoring slump…
“I am taking this as a learning experience. I am trying to do a little of everything like rebounding more and then the offense will come.”
On what he does on the court…
“I stay calm and let the game come to me. I just try to do whatever I can to help the team because I want to be out on the floor as much as possible.”
Chuck Hayes
On observing the game…
“I observe my opponents very well. I usually come in for Tayshaun (Prince) so I observe his defender – what he likes to do, when he does it, what’s his favorite position. When I come in at about the 11-minute mark, the other guys are staring to get tired and I’m coming in with fresh energy so I try to use that to my advantage.”
On Notre Dame forwards Harold Swanagan and Ryan Humphrey…
“They’re big, really big. They have some thickness and some meat on them. It’s going to be tough. Swanagan’s a big guy and Humphrey has explosiveness and likes to jump. We just have to bang into them a lot, get them frustrated.”
Gerald Fitch
On the atmosphere at Notre Dame…
“I don’t think it will be any different than any other away team we’ve played. We’re pretty used to playing in front of a hostile crowd on the road, so it shouldn’t affect us. We just have to come out with the intensity we usually have and get the job done.”
On his ankle…
“I got tangled up with Quis (Marquis Estill) and he kind of fell on it. It’s a little sore right now but I’ll be alright.”
Marquis Estill
On Ryan Humphrey…
“I just have to be strong and physical with him. He’s a strong player and a good post man so I have to be ready to step up.”
On being physical…
“I like getting physical. Other guys try to beat up on me, so I try to do the same thing.”
On having Wednesday off…
“It helps out a lot. I think it’s pretty good that we do get a day off, just to relax.”
Cliff Hawkins
On being at Kentucky…
“I’m having fun, playing for a great program, playing in front of all these people. It’s a dream come true.”
On last-second shots…
“I’m confident. I’m going to try to get the ball where it needs to be, but if things don’t work out, guys have to step up and make plays, and I’m not scared to try to make those plays. If I win the game, or if I lose the game, I’m going to live with it and take the criticism.”
On Chuck Hayes…
“He’s one of most physical players. We call him ‘Baby Rodman’ because of the way he attacks the glass. He’s just a kid that never stops working and in a couple years, he’s going to be something special.”
