KENTUCKY 91, JACKSONVILLE STATE 48
POSTGAME NOTES
Kentucky improves to 1-2 on the season, Jacksonville State is 0-3.
This was the first meeting between UK and JSU.
Kentucky is now 5-1 in the Firstar Center.
Down 7-5 early in the game, UK went on a 6-0 run and never trailed again.
Five Wildcats scored in double figures. The last time that happened was March 4, 2000, against Florida.
UK held JSU to 27.3 percent shooting. It is UK’s best defensive mark since holding South Carolina to 27.1 percent on Jan. 15, 2000.
Freshman Erik Daniels, playing in his hometown, led the Wildcats with 19 points. He established career highs in almost every category.
Freshmen Gerald Fitch and Cliff Hawkins each had a career-high four points.
Freshmen Matt Heissenbuttel and Cory Sears each scored his first collegiate point.
Freshman Jason Parker had a career-high 13 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field.
Senior Saul Smith had a career-high five steals.
UK returns to action Saturday at 8 p.m. in Rupp Arena against Penn State.
University of Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State
November 21, 2000
UK Head Coach Tubby Smith
On his overall thoughts on the game…
“This was a game that came at the right time in our schedule. We really needed this game so we could feel good about ourselves. I was happy to see our guys shoot better from the free-throw line, and we have been getting to the free-throw line regularly. Tayshaun (Prince) had a good line, played well, played smart. He played 26 minutes and was pretty effective. Saul (Smith) had a pretty good line with six assists and only one turnover. The 60 percent is probably the best we’ve shot in a long time. We had 32 deflections at the half, so our effort was good. Those types of things will help as we go into the Penn State game.”
On Erik Daniels…
“I was very pleased with Erik Daniels tonight. He was excited about being back home. He’s really been playing well. He’s athletic and agile. He is motivated and focused, and we had a need for a player of his skill. He can play small or power forward, and he’s probably ahead of all the other freshmen. One of the things that impresses me most is his passing ability. He has great stamina and endurance which is key to his play.”
On the benefit of the team’s extra passing…
“That was definitely the key to us getting the lead. We had 18 assists, and that was very important. That’s what we need if we expect to be a high-scoring team. Once we get comfortable with one another and learn where the other people are in relation to the ball, we will definitely improve.”
On the older players’ business-like approach in the game…
“We should try to build that type of character on our team. Tayshaun, Saul and Keith (Bogans) came out focused and determined that they would execute. They were serious about the game and what had to be done. They know that we have a good team, and that is a way to show it.”
UK Player Quotes
#21 Tayshaun Prince
“It was important for us to establish our inside game early tonight. It freed up the perimeter for us to get some easy shots. When we get our inside game going early, we get easy baskets inside and outside.”
“We really wanted to reduce turnovers and make our free throws. We accomplished that this evening. We are on a roll and hopefully we keep it going on into Saturday and our game against Penn State.”
On Erik Daniels…
“He is a very aggressive player. He attacks the basket and plays hard every game. Coming off the bench he makes things happen. He gives this team a lift with his style of play. When he gets in the game he gets things done.”
#24 Marvin Stone
“All week weve practiced making that extra pass. We showed a lot of improvement tonight with our unselfish play.”
On being a sophomore leader…
“I dont think coach is putting too much pressure on me. I have been here for over a year now and I need to step up and help the younger guys learn. That is what I need to do to contribute if this team is going to be successful.”
On tonights play…
“It didnt matter who we played tonight, we wanted to give it all we had and play hard. We played a well-rounded game tonight.”
#11 Saul Smith
“We played a very sound defensive game tonight. We went into the game not worrying about what the other team did, but what we were going to do. We really executed our game and it worked out for the best.”
“Erik Daniels had a great game. Coach Smith has been working with him all week, especially on his free-throw shooting. He got to play in front of his family tonight. Eric had a tremendous game.”
#10 Keith Bogans
on his missed dunk…
“I just tried to dunk that ball too hard. The game was a lot of fun tonight, especially when the starters got to sit down and watch the freshmen play and gain experience.”
“We played hard tonight. We didnt let up on the other team. We played the entire 40 minutes. We stayed focused and played good basketball tonight.”
What did you get out of this game?
“The young guys got to play a lot, especially Erik Daniels. He came out for us in his hometown and played well. The young guys getting to play and gain experience is the most important thing that comes out of this game.”
Jacksonville State Coach Mike LaPlante
“Theres not a lot to say. I was very impressed with Kentucky. The time theyve had off between their first two games and this one, and they really went to work. They will continue to improve. They have a lot of young guys but a lot of talented players. Their defense really took us out of the game. They made us struggle and work for everything we got.”
“We had 33 turnovers. Im not telling anybody in Kentucky any secrets, because its a basketball state, but you arent going to be very good when you turn the ball over that many times.”
“Im not so concerned with what Kentucky did to us. I knew coming in they were going to be a huge challenge. Weve learned a lot. Kentucky is one of the finest teams in the country. Playing them exposes your weaknesses in a hurry.”
