Coach Tubby Smith Quotes
Pre-Vanderbilt Press Conference
Feb. 16, 2001
“After reviewing the tape from the Tennessee game, my biggest concern is that our team isstill learning how to play on the road and finish games. Although we won at Tennessee, wehad a breakdown defensively and allowed them and the crowd back in the game whichgave them momentum. We showed courage and poise, which are signs of a team that ismaturing and learning to win. We maintained poise in a hostile arena. We have to staypositive and focused for the entire game.”
“I was proud of the way our team kept their composure during the fracas on the sidelines.I’m very glad that it didn’t escalate into something more, and I give a lot of credit to our teamfor handling the situation like they did.”
“We’re getting excellent play from Tayshaun Prince right now. He had another great gameagainst Tennessee, and he has really set the tone over the last few games. If he and theteam can continue shooting like they have, we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
“We’re also seeing outstanding leadership from Saul Smith. He played really gutsy the othernight by sucking it up and playing through the pain. Yesterday, he did some shooting drills,but didn’t participate in any contact drills. There isn’t a lot of time to rest now. He can do thatafter the season.”
“Vanderbilt is a team that we beat here, but struggled to maintain a lead against. Saul reallyhelped us out of a tough spot in the second half, as we were spiraling down, he lifted us withhis excellent play. We’re also going into an arena with a different configuration, with thebenches on the ends, which will be different for most of our team.”
“Vanderbilt has a lot of strong players, and they are getting excellent play out of Matt Friejeright now. He’s shooting great from outside at about 53 percent. He had 21 points and sevenrebounds against Tennessee and was 4 of 5 from three. He’s playing extremely well.They’re also getting solid play from Greg LaPointe when he is healthy.”
“We’ve got to defend their half-court stuff, because they are very good at executing theirhalf-court offense. They do a lot of screening, a lot of backdoor cuts and weaving. It’ssomething you don’t see a lot and something our players don’t practice for everyday. We’llhave to be alert and be concerned with that.”
On whether or not he could see himself retiring in Kentucky
“Every place I’ve ever coached, I could see myself retiring. You prepare and coach that way.We have roots here from when we were here before. We’re comfortable and pleased withwhat we have in Kentucky. We’re happy where we are.”
On the play of Tayshaun Prince
“Tayshaun is much stronger and has maintained his stamina much better this year. Sincehis surgery last spring, he is breathing much better, which has helped immensely with hisstamina. He has also worked exclusively with our post-men in practice, which has helpedhim improve his strength. I also think it helped him that his father came to see him play. Thatwas very inspirational to him.”
On the improvements that Jason Parker has made
“Jason is one of the most coachable players that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.Coach Hobbs and Coach Hanson have worked extensively with him and that has helpedout. I’m very pleased with him, but he still has lots to work on. He’s usually just as strong andprobably quicker than most post players. He’s very athletic and can run. I’d like to see himrun more, but then again, I’d like to see everyone run more. He learned a lot early in theseason after he had a few shots blocked. He now knows when to adjust and makechanges.”
UK Player Quotes
February 16, 2001
Saul Smith, Guard
On the current play of the team
”We feel really confident in the way we are playing. We are doing some good things, but wehave a lot of ways to improve. We really need to improve defensively, and we did thatyesterday in practice. We spent almost the entire practice on defensive drills. Tomorrow weare going to come out with a big game. Vanderbilt is trying to get some good wins to helpout their NCAA bid chances and they are going to be ready.”
On the maturity level of the team
“This team now knows that you have to bring your best game with you everywhere you play.This team believes in the system, believes in the coaches and that is a sign of maturity.There is not time to relax or have mental break downs and we are beginning to understandthat.”
On the offensive play of the team
“Guys are really shooting the ball with a lot of confidence. We aren’t hesitating with ourshots. There is no indecisiveness. If we are open we are going to shoot it, if they are runningat us we are going to give them a shot-fake. The decisions are now reactions for us. If yourdecision is a reaction, it is more often than not, going to be correct.”
J.P. Blevins, Guard
On the excitement surrounding the team
“It seems that things are starting to get more exciting around here, I know I’m excited.Hopefully we can just take this feeling and get another win down at Vandy.”
On the team’s shooting
“The shooting has finally come around. You guys have been questioning it, but we knew wecould shoot. I have said it over and over because I have seen us shoot in practice and inindividuals, now it is carrying over to the game.”
On playing at Vanderbilt
“It similar to playing in Memorial Coliseum (where the Wildcats practice). I can’t remembera time when we have gone down there and it has been a blowout. It has always been aclose game. There was the Nazr (Mohammed) shot at the buzzer and the Tayshaun(Prince) double-clutch three-pointer for the win. There has been some late-game heroics,so we have to be ready to play.”
Gerald Fitch, Guard
On the team’s shooting
“I don’t think we can make it with our eyes closed yet, but we are definitely finding our touch.We are moving the ball a lot more, getting it inside and out. We’ve had some great looks andwe are knocking the shots down.”
On playing in Memorial Gym in Nashville
“The other guys have told me that it is a tough place to play. We will need to concentrateand play hard to get a win.”
Marvin Stone, Forward
On the Tennessee game
”We feel really good about that win. We let them back in the game and that is something weare going to have to work on, but it was a big win for this program.”
Playing on the road
“This team is more comfortable playing on the road then we were at the beginning of theseason. That comfort is something that we will need to go into Nashville and beatVanderbilt. They are a good team and it is tough to play there.”
