Nov. 14, 2001
KENTUCKY VS. WESTERN KENTUCKY
BASKETBALL PRESS CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 14, 2001
MEMORIAL COLISEUM
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On the signing of three recruits:
“We’ve had a very successful, exciting day with the signing of three of our recruits. We are very excited to have Brandon Stockton, Bernard Cote and Antwain Barbour joining our basketball family. They are three young men we worked hard to recruit. I want to commend my staff, Reggie Hanson, Dave Hobbs and Mike Sutton, on getting these three young men excited about Kentucky basketball.”
On the three recruits collective strengths:
“All three have strong basketball IQ’s. They understand the game. They are getting good coaching at their respective schools.”
On Western Kentucky:
“After looking at the Athletes in Action tape, we have a lot of room for improvement. We still have to work on our transition defense because Western Kentucky is a team that really knows how to get the ball up and down the court. Raynardo Curry is an outstanding point guard and his backcourt mate Derek Robinson is like another point guard on the court.”
On the injuries:
“We are starting to get healthy again. Marquis Estill had a good practice yesterday but he was a little sore today. However, we need Marquis’s presence inside. J.P. Blevins is still nursing an ankle but is probable for tomorrow night. We are not sure about Rashaad Carruth’s status right now, but he is probable as well.”
On playing Western Kentucky:
“I think tomorrow is a big game for us. I have been very impressed with Western Kentucky. They are a top-25 team in my opinion, and are in most of the polls. They have more than just Chris Marcus. They have some talented people that can play basketball. We will have our hands full and we will have to come ready to play. We will have to play better then we have in the two exhibition games, though we have improved since then.”
On WKU point guard Raynardo Curry:
“Raynardo Curry is very quick. He is a very smooth ball handler, he has a nice hesitation move and he can go by you. And they keep the ball in his hands. He’s not going to stop until you stop him.”
On WKU center Chris Marcus:
“I think Chris Marcus is the real deal. We have no one to match up with him size-wise. He has great hands to go along with that. He has a good feel for the game and understands how to play. He runs the floor well for a guy his size. He’s a major part of their offense and they do a good job of getting him the ball.”
On Cliff Hawkins vs. J.P. Blevins at the point:
“Cliff Hawkins gives us a little more athleticism and speed and he showed more discipline than he has in the past during the two exhibition games.”
G Keith Bogans
On practice since the close game with Athletes in Action:
“We just went light on Monday. But it was still intense. We worked on the things we needed to improve on. We’re not exactly where we want to be. It takes time and a number of games to improve to get us where we want and need to be.”
On J.P. Blevins’ injury:
“He’s been sore the past few days, but he is trying hard to get back. If he isn’t ready to go, Cliff (Hawkins) is prepared to play.”
On facing a tough team like Western Kentucky to start the season:
“It’s going to be tough and a real big test for us. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
On approaching 1,000 points for his career:
“I don’t really think about it. It will happen when it happens.”
F/C Jules Camara
On Western’s center:
“He’s going to be tough. But we’re going to stick with our gameplan. I’ll use my quickness to guard him and not let him catch the ball close to the basket. If that does happen, I’ll rely on my teammates to help me out.”
On the first regular season game:
“I’m very excited. It’s been a while for me. I just have to be patient and get into the flow of the game. It’s important that we don’t come out flat like we did last game. We have to be focused and come out ready to play.”
G Gerald Fitch
On the possibility of J.P. Blevins not playing:
“It would be a great loss. He’s our leader at the point guard position.”
On Cliff Hawkins:
“He has the ability to see passes that others can’t. We have to be ready for anything when he’s out there.”
On playing point guard:
“In practice, I’m confident playing any position. But in the game is another situation.”
On the first regular season game:
“I’m really excited. Words can’t explain it. I can’t wait.”
On Western Kentucky:
“I think any team that comes in and plays us gives it everything they have to try to beat us. We just have to play hard and up to our potential.”
F Tayshaun Prince
On Western Kentucky’s 7’1″ center Chris Marcus:
“We won’t really focus on him. We have to be aware of the whole team. We can get different bodies on him – Jules, Marquis, Marvin – who will try to wear him down.”
About the expectations of this team:
“There are always high expectations for the Kentucky basketball program. But there are more this year. People see that there’s talent in the whole team rather than just a few players.”
On leadership:
“I have to work on being more of a vocal leader for the young guys on the team.”
F/C Marvin Stone
On facing Western Kentucky’s Chris Marcus:
“It’s going to be a big challenge. He’s a big guy and a good player. I’m going to give it my all, but it’s going to be a war. It will definitely take a team effort. We just have to keep the ball out of his hands. Offensively, I may have to face the basket and drive more.”
