Dec. 4, 2001
KENTUCKY VS. VMI
UK BASKETBALL PRESS CONFERENCE
MEMORIAL COLISEUM
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On VMI game…
“I thought we did a lot of things better than we had in the previous games. One of the things we really have to be conscious of against a good VMI team is that we get back in transition. They are a team that likes to push the ball up the court. Coach Bart Bellairs is from the Richmond, Ky., area and that gives them some extra incentive. He’ll want his team to represent VMI well.”
On the Keydets…
“It will be a test for our players because this is a team that looks to shoot the three. That’s been one of our challenges all year long, to defend the three better. We must contain them and we need to push the ball up the court as well. I think it will be a high-scoring game. They’re coming off a tough loss to a good Virginia Tech team last night and Tech took Virginia to the wire. We’re looking at a good VMI team that can play with us, much like Kent State or Morehead.”
“They’ll press off and on. They’re a team that will mix it up and their press can be a half- court press, they’ll do that out of their 1-3-1, they’ll try to trap you some out of that in a half-court set.”
On Jason Conley…
“They are 1-2 and a fairly young team. Their leading scorer is a redshirt freshman, Jason Conley, who can score from all over the court. He averages 26 points a game and he’s very athletic. He’s a 6-5 forward that can play outside or inside but primarily he’s an outside perimeter player. He’ll drive to the basket and do a lot of different things. It will be a challenge for Keith (Bogans) or Gerald (Fitch) or whoever is matched against him to make him take tougher shots.”
On F Radee Skipworth…
“They are getting good balanced scoring. Another forward, Radee Skipworth, is an outstanding player. He’s 6-5, just a sophomore and he’s a big-time scorer as well. He’s very athletic and is shooting around 57 percent from threes. Their high-scoring backcourt wing players will test our perimeter and transition defense.”
On UK defense…
“The thing we need to do is to play with some real attitude and pride defensively, that we have ability to stop and contain people. We’ve been doing a fairly good job overall when you look at our defensive field goal percentage. Now we have to start putting it all together where we can start creating some offense from our defense and force some turnovers. We haven’t had many easy baskets in transition, and we need to improve and create more opportunities there.”
On overall play of team…
“I don’t think anyone has played up to their potential, although Marquis (Estill) has probably the best stats of anyone. Now is the time of year that people are starting to understand what their roles are, how they’re going to get their playing time, and when their playing time is going to come.”
“We’re not a team that can look past anybody, especially a team like VMI. They average around 80 points a game, and they’re a team that can put a big number on you if you are not playing good defense and focused and ready to play.”
On G Rashaad Carruth…
“He’ll play. Unless something happens between now and tomorrow, he should be OK. He’s practiced with us the past few days but he still has a lot of soreness in his leg and it will probably be with him for a while. He’s eager to get out there and we’re looking forward to having back. He brings good shooting from the perimeter, a real toughness and aggressiveness, both on the offensive and defensive end, that is much needed.”
On F/C Jules Camara…
“He’s over his injuries and he’ll be a guy who matches up better against some of their post people. He’s good in the open court and most effective when he can use his mobility. I’d like to see him lead the league in blocked shots. Anytime a shot goes up around the basket he should give his best effort to try and block it. He’s more focused and he’s playing and practicing hard.”
Keith Bogans, Guard
On what the Wildcats must do to win Wednesday night…
“The main thing is we have to execute our game plan and increase our intensity.”
On where the team is right now…
“With the loss, we are not exactly where we want to be right now, but it’s a long season.”
On the importance of each game…
“Each game is a building block and we don’t want to take any steps down, we want to continue to step up.”
On tomorrow’s game…
“I am fired up for the game because we haven’t played in a week. We have just been beating each other up in practice.”
Jules Camara, Forward/Center
On his health…
“I feel good and I am ready to go.”
On tomorrow night’s game…
“I am just looking for something to get me going. It’s my goal to go after everything. I am just trying to stay positive and try and boost my confidence.”
Marquis Estill, Forward
On being among the Southeastern Conference statistical leaders…
“I don’t really get into all that. I just want to go out and play basketball.”
On his play this season…
“I’m playing harder. I’m stronger in the post. I’m just going out there and doing whatever Coach tells me to do.”
On his health…
“My knees are great. I could play 40 minutes. I keep going through treatment, icing them down.”
On Rashaad Carruth…
“He has a lot of toughness. He has the mindset to do whatever it takes to get the job done. He’ll knock you down if he has to. He also can shoot the ball really well.”
Gerald Fitch, Guard
On having a string of big games approaching…
“That’s why you want to come here, to play the big games against the big teams. That’s why I came. You just have to approach it like any other game, though. Take them one game at a time.”
On where the team stands…
“We still have a little ways to go. We haven’t gelled just yet, but I think we are further along that we were last year. But we will continue to get better and will get where we want to be.”
Tayshaun Prince, Forward
On how the players are beginning to accept their roles…
“The guys are getting comfortable with their roles. We are playing better together on offense. Overall, we are really beginning to come together.”
On having a week off between games…
“We have watched a lot of film. We need to take the ball inside more. We need to rebound better. We just need to keep working. Having a week off hasn’t hurt us at all, but it will be good to get back on the court.”
On how he and the team have gotten better since the season-opening loss…
“I have been getting inside baskets early. It’s a matter of us establishing an inside game. Marquis has been playing really well. He is healthy and you can tell by his inside moves and his play.”
