Coach Tubby Smith
Press Conference
12-15-00
“This week we have had the opportunity to get back to some basics and things that we have had slippage in during our games. We have concentrated mainly on defense this week because we had some breakdowns in the Georgia Tech game. We are constantly trying to improve in our defending of the three-point shot. That is really a point we have been stressing, as well as what time to score.”
“We have to score when the opportunity presents itself. We have to have stops and know how to get those stops, as well as know how to score. We need to know when to take the shot, what is a good shot, and what is not a good shot. As we mature, I am sure we will learn these things.”
“Over the last few days, a couple of kids have been out of practice for one reason or another. They may have had a study session, an exam, or even illness. Cliff Hawkins has missed the last two days because he has had a cold and he has been on medication. Today, I expect him to be at practice but I don’t know what he will do or if he will play tomorrow. Otherwise, everyone else has been healthy.”
“I think our guys are still upbeat and positive, especially going up against a team like Michigan State. If there is any letdown at all, Michigan State could beat you pretty bad. They are the type of team that is very talented, and at home they are very good. They have beaten North Carolina and Florida. They have been able to mix and blend their young players in with their veterans very well. Charlie Bell, David Thomas, Andre Hutson and Mike Chappell were all part of the national championship team last year and that experience and maturation factor makes a world of difference. Jason Richardson and Aloysius Anagonye are really coming along. They are both sophomores but they are very athletic and very physical.”
“They are a very physical team, we need to attack the basket and be strong with the ball. I know Coach Izzo will have his troops ready to play. This place is just as tough as any place we have ever been.”
“Our job will be to control the tempo, because I think they are the type of team that can play any style. They are very capable of playing in a variety of different styles. Having said that, I think we are too. We are a team that is trying to find ourselves and what we do best. We are still searching. There are times when we can put up a lot of points but then give up a lot of points at the other end. We need to find a way to complement our offense and our defense and I think it comes from being a lot tougher physically. I think we are tough mentally, we just have to get tougher physically and that is something we are working to develop in our team.”
“You have to organize your practice to make it more physical. You want to move right along and not spend a lot of time talking. Those are ways you become tougher.””They do so many things and they have such an experienced group of guys, they are going to be strong, physical players. They even come off the bench with two outstanding freshmen, Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor, so it will be critical we come in focused mentally and are tough, not just mentally but physically. They are going to screen you, box out, crash the boards, and they are a team that will get on the floor for loose balls. They are just a well-coached, well-disciplined, and physical team.”
“In transition, Georgia Tech hit about four three-pointers because we were getting back but not picking a guy up early enough as we convert from offense to defense. We have a tendency, too, that when a guy is open we think it is someone else’s responsibility and not taking that responsibility. But, if you get beat, then you expect your teammate to come out there and challenge the shot.”
“We have benefited from playing a lot of early road games in the past but then you worry about how it is going to affect your team psychologically and emotionally. When you have seven freshmen it makes the road a little bit tougher but we are warriors. We are Kentucky and that is the way we are going to play. We chose to play these road games and that is how the schedule falls, so we have to do it. We have handled ourselves adequately and our team is very capable. I know this team will be just as good and probably better than last year’s team.”
“Michigan State is balanced throughout. They do so many things well and are very inside conscious. There is no particular thing I think we can take away from them. I think it is more or less what we have to do. We have to execute offensively and do the little things like keeping them off the board because they are a great rebounding team and limit their second shots. So it is not one particular thing, it is a smorgasbord, but we have to do it well.”
“We have done a good job in being tough. Everyday we are getting tougher, stronger, and our confidence is not waning at all. We need to raise our level of intensity.”
“We are shooting a better percentage than we were last year, both in field goal and three-point shooting. We have better offensive players. In our post players we are trying to get that aggressiveness and physical play. I have been pleased with the offense.”
“J.P. [Blevins] is one of the players that needs to get more physical and by that, I mean aggressive. Like when there is a loose ball, he should be the first guy on the floor. He needs to stick his nose in there. If he does that, he is going to be outstanding.”
“We are going to mix it up tomorrow. I don’t think you can play a team like Michigan State one way. You just can’t play all zone and all man-to-man. The zone has been pretty effective but we have worked on other areas too.”
UK Player Quotes
December 15, 2000
# 21 Tayshaun Prince
On looking forward to the challenge of playing Michigan State
“Sure we are, especially after the last game, which we should have won. We made some mistakes at the end of that game, and we know for sure that we can’t make those mistakes against a team like Michigan State, especially playing them in their arena. We just have to take care of the basketball, prevent turnovers and keep them off the offensive glass.”
On whether playing well against North Carolina has a bearing on this game”I don’t think so. We lost our last game, and now we have to prepare for this one. Coming off a loss gives us the enthusiasm to really get prepared for a game like this.”
On what it will take to come away with a win over Michigan State”We will need to work hard on the defensive end. We have to keep them off the offensive glass and rebound on both ends. We really need to hit our free throws and knock down our perimeter shots. Basically, we need to play a lot harder than them, dive on the floor for loose balls and do all the little things we need to do to win.”
# 10 Keith Bogans
On playing in a game as big as the Michigan State game
“This is what a college basketball player dreams of, to play in a game like we are going to play tomorrow. The main thing is that we have to stay focused and not worry about all the hype, just go in and play a great game. We just have to come into this game like it is any other game. We have to stay focused. We have to do all the little things and play great defense. We definitely can’t let the crowd get to us.”
On playing a physical team like Michigan State
“I am not really worried about how physical they are. I’m just going to play my game because I am physical most of the time anyway. That’s not really a factor I am worried about.”
On losing focus in previous games”We are young and are still learning from our mistakes. That’s the only way you can get better. As time goes on, we will be able to maintain our focus better.”
# 24 Marvin Stone
“This is another big game on the road. Michigan State is a tough team to play, especially at home. We just have to go in there and give it all we have.”
On the Michigan State team from last season:
“Last year they had a great defense and played us tough. We were lucky to get a win.”
On what it will take to win:
“Everybody is going to have to pull together and play better defense than we have been. We are going to have to play 40 minutes of hard-nosed defense.”
On UK’s defense:
“We have always been a pretty good defensive team. But last weekend, Georgia Tech scored 52 points in the first half and that was inexcusable.”
On the growth of team chemistry:
“I think we are getting there. It is taking a little longer than we expected, but it’s coming together and hopefully we can show that against Michigan State.”
On the possibility of Derek Smith joining the basketball team:
“I like Derek Smith. I have known him since we both were juniors in high school and he was on my Nike team. He is a great player and I think he could help us out a lot.”
What Derek Smith could contribute to the team:
“He could help shooting the ball, plus he is a good defender and that is what we need.”
On dealing with exams, road games and not being able to go home for the holidays:”It’s been pretty tough, but if you want to be one of the best in the country, you have to make sacrifices like we have.”
# 50 Marquis Estill
On the team’s spirit:”Coming off of a loss, we’re just ready to get back onto the floor and play again. It was a tough loss for us. We’re ready to get back out there and re-gain our confidence.”
On facing Zach Randoph:
“He is a big guy. He’s the type of player that is always willing to go in and work hard by banging on the offensive and defensive boards.”
On playing in a hostile environment:
“When you go into another team’s house, you just have to block the fans out and not worry about them.”
On the magnitude of the Michigan State game:
“I think it is a little bit bigger than the North Carolina game. We are going to have to go in and work hard just like we did against Carolina and hopefully we can come out with another win.”
#21 Tayshaun Prince
On looking forward to the challenge of playing Michigan State
“Sure we are, especially after the last game, which we should have won. We made some mistakes at the end of that game, and we know for sure that we can’t make those mistakes against a team like Michigan State, especially playing them in their arena. We just have to take care of the basketball, prevent turnovers and keep them off the offensive glass.”
On whether playing well against North Carolina has a bearing on this game
“I don’t think so. We lost our last game, and now we have to prepare for this one. Coming off a loss gives us the enthusiasm to really get prepared for a game like this.”
On what it will take to come away with a win over Michigan State
“We will need to work hard on the defensive end. We have to keep them off the offensive glass and rebound on both ends. We really need to hit our free throws and knock down our perimeter shots. Basically, we need to play a lot harder than them, dive on the floor for loose balls and do all the little things we need to do to win.”
#10 Keith Bogans
On playing in a game as big as the Michigan State game
“This is what a college basketball player dreams of, to play in a game like we are going to play tomorrow. The main thing is that we have to stay focused and not worry about all the hype, just go in and play a great game. We just have to come into this game like it is any other game. We have to stay focused. We have to do all the little things and play great defense. We definitely can’t let the crowd get to us.”
On playing a physical team like Michigan State
“I am not really worried about how physical they are. I’m just going to play my game because I am physical most of the time anyway. That’s not really a factor I am worried about.”
On losing focus in previous games
“We are young and are still learning from our mistakes. That’s the only way you can get better. As time goes on, we will be able to maintain our focus better.”
