Rupp Arena – Lexington, Ky.
Coach and Player Quotes
UK Coach Tubby Smith
“South Carolina played a real good game today. Their zone was reallyeffective against us until we started making some shots from the perimeter.Jamaal (Magloire) was having a big game for us until he got in foultrouble, but he came back and ended having a great game. He reached hiscareer high (in points) and had another double-double.”
“(Chuck) Eidson is a big guy who takes care of the ball real well. He did agood job of finding the open man tonight. We put some extra pressure onthem in the second half and that got us those 10 turnovers in the half.That flurry of turnovers there in the middle of the half was a realmomentum builder for us.”
“Marvin had a good game for us. He got in there and did some good work downlow. We had some good balance today, Tayshaun (Prince) had 10, Desmond(Allison) had 11 and Keith (Bogans) had another great game.”
“Our defensive pressure in the middle of the second half was the key pointof the game and really the turning point for us. The two threes by J.P.(Blevins) also helped to open things up a little bit.”
“South Carolina really had a good zone defense going and pressured us intosome turnovers in the first half. Just like always with a zone, you have topick and choose your shots if you want to figure it out. Eidson caused someproblems for us with those long arms. I think we might have come out alittle flat after the big Tennessee game. But our problems in the firsthalf were not a result of what we did, but what they did.”
“Our poise in clutch situations is what has really stuck out to me thisyear. We have been making the right choice in big situations and that isgood to see out of a young team. We were a little flat today, a lot of thatwas due to the Carolina zone, but offensively we showed poise and patiencewhen it counted. Our players are basketball savvy because they come fromgood programs that have taught them well. We have a good group that listensand works hard, they are fun to coach and fun to be around.”
“After 22 games we expect them to be growing and learning and using theirexperiences in the games. You can see them transferring what we work on inpractice into the games now.”
“Not having Jules (Camara) effects Marvin more than anybody. He played 17minutes tonight and made some real good decisions in passing the ball. Italso makes J.P. more involved in the offense, but (missing Jules) does noteffect us as much as you would think. We have guys who can step up. What wemiss is his intensity, his rebounding and his defense. He had adouble-double last time we played Carolina.”
“We use the press at a time when we can get them rattled a bit. We madethem play faster than they wanted and that allowed us to get those 10turnovers in the second half.”
USC Coach Eddie Fogler
“Jamaal Magloire was certainly the difference, although Keith Bogans wasvery productive tonight. Magloire gives them a presence inside that nobodyelse in the Southeastern Conference has. He makes things extremelydifficult. His free throw shooting is much better. I think Magloire was thedifference today. J.P. Blevins came in and hit a couple of big threes forthem in the second half.”
“I think our first 35 minutes here were very good as well. We might havethe fewest wins in the SEC at the end of the season, though we have plentymore games to play. If we are the team that finishes with the fewest winsin the league, and that is possible, then we have one heck of a league.This is the best Southeastern Conference in my 11 years. It is the bestleague in the country. This league is outstanding this year.”
“We turned it over a couple of times, but we were still only down five andJamel Bradley had an open look but missed. With five minutes to go, we werestill in the game with the ball. We got an illegal screen call, which hurtus, and then we missed an open three. Our team has done a very good job oftaking care of the ball this year.”
“I think Chuck Eidson showed the great Kentucky fans what caliber player heis in terms of playing the game and understanding he game. Petreviciusplayed well inside for us.”
Kentucky Players
#3 J.P. Blevins
On the Cats dwindling numbers?
“They say a cat has nine lives. We are getting pretty slim here. We have togo out and move around and give it all we’ve got.”
On the loss of Jules Camara?
“I don’t think there is ever a good time to lose a guy. With the line-upwe’ve got coming down the stretch, we have to be capable of stepping up. Weknow Jules will be back, but it’s going to be a challenge for us.”
#21 Tayshaun Prince
On his game plan?
“At the beginning of the game, I just try to get people open. As you cansee, I try to get them open on the inside first and eventually that opensup the perimeter.”
“Coming off of Tennessee, we expected South Carolina to be a great team.They’ve had not-so-good games in the SEC. We were ready to play. Theyplayed the game in their hands, and we had to get it in our hands.”
#42 Jamaal Magloire
“They are a great team. They showed that in the first half tonight. Theycan compete with anybody. We really shot the ball well tonight and wereable to capitalize on the looks that they gave us.”
On the loss of Jules Camara?
“With Jules being out, I knew I would have to play hard and pick up theslack. Everyone on this team will help to fill Jules’ shoes. His injuryreally hurts us, but adversity happens. He was a great spark off the bench.He always plays with fire and energy, and that’s what we’ll miss the most.”
On Keith Bogans?
“Keith is shooting the ball great, and defenses are starting to have toplay honest defense. I’m now getting more looks inside because the defensehas to extend to defend his shot.”
#10 Keith Bogans
“I’m starting to feel comfortable on the floor. When they collapse onJamaal (Magloire) and he kicks it back out, I have more time to get my shotoff. I think that’s been the difference.”
On Kentucky’s press?
“I think this team enjoys pressing. It helps us to come out and get readyto play because we get open court steals. When we press and play well, ithelps keep our intensity up, and we get on a roll.”
On his own play?
“I want to try to come out and play the same game every night. I want to beable to take my time and feel comfortable. I’ve been working hard inpractice on trying to get my stroke back. I know I am at a different levelnow and I have to rise to that level.”
South Carolina Players
#31 Chuck Eidson
“It was great. I thought the atmosphere here was probably the best incollege basketball. It was really fun out there tonight.”
“I don’t feel really good about my performance. Anytime you play againstKentucky, you want to come out and play your best basketball and when youdon’t, it is really disheartening.”
“I think they have a really chance in the tournament. I can’t wait to seehow they do. I played with Keith Bogans some during high school so I haveknown him. I just wish Kentucky all the luck.”
“It is good to see him playing well. Anytime you se another freshman comingout, showing they can do well, it is nice.”
#10 Jamel Bradley
“The game was a hard fighting game and we felt that we came in and gave agood effort. As our coach says, ‘the better team wins a the end,’ andKentucky was the better team the last three minutes today, so they cam outwith the win.”
“I give credit to Chuck Eidson and the other guys for finding me open. Iwas then able to hit my shots. I just give those guys credit for finding meopen.”
“Kentucky is always a great team. They have that tradition that goes beyonda single game. They are going to stay at the top in the conference unlesssomething were really to happen to the program. There is nothing wrong withKentucky. Their future looks great and they will stay at the top of ourconference.”
“He brings so much to the Kentucky team. He has a large presence inside,and is a physical player and a great rebounder. You have to give JamaalMagloire credit for getting in the land, getting fouled and taking our keyguys out of the game.”
