January 29, 1999
UK HEAD COACH TUBBY SMITH QUOTES
On the Georgia game
“I thought Georgia played awfully well. We played okay, but we’ve got toplay better and we’ll continue to improve. Jumaine Jones was tough to stop,and that’s an area we’re working on defensively. Scott Padgett stepped upand did some big things for us down the stretch, along with Heshimu Evans.Wayne Turner has been the most consistent and stabilizing point guard I’veever been around. He makes all the difference in the world, and he did inthat game. He made some big shots and big plays the entire game.”
On what UK needs to improve in the LSU game
“We need to work on our interior post defense. Brian Beshara and JabariSmith are both capable inside players. Beshara can put the ball on thefloor and go around you. They will present two challenges for MichaelBradley and Scott Padgett. Maurice Carter will present problems for whoeverwe start at the two-guard spot. Desmond Allison was sick yesterday and didnot practice, and I’m not sure about his status at this point in time. Asof now, Tayshaun Prince would probably get the nod at the shooting guardspot, but that could change. LSU is very effective offensively. Theyexecute and do a good job. With Willie Anderson going down, that presents aproblem for LSU, because he was coming on and doing some big things forthem. He’ll be missed. We’ve got to be prepared for whoever they put inthat spot. If they start Stromile Swift, he presents another elementbecause they’ll have a big front line that will create problems for us. Wemay have to play our big lineup as well.”
On UK’s changing starter at two-guard
“I knew it would be that way this year. The day Jeff Sheppard, CameronMills and Allen Edwards graduated, I knew that would be a challenge. Itjust takes time to get experienced players. That’s why you have practiceand continue to get better.”
On Desmond Allison’s performance in the Georgia game
“Desmond was outstanding as far as his quickness to the ball. He made someexcellent passes. He brings an aggressiveness to that position that youdon’t really get with Tayshaun. He’s not as physical as Desmond, but hegives us a little more offensively. They both play well, they just playdifferently. Desmond really gave us a lot with his hustle and energyagainst Georgia.”
On Scott Padgett’s performance in overtime against Georgia
“He’s done that a few times in overtime. We want to take the first openshot in overtime-being aggressive has been the key to us winning overtimegames and that fits in with Scott’s personality. He was open, and I thoughthe should have taken a few more shots during the game. His shot fakeshaven’t been as quick and we’ve worked on that in practice-getting his shotoff quicker.”
The advantages and disadvantages of UK’s changing two-guard
“There’s an advantage for the players, because they get the experience.Tayshaun got to start at that position and very few freshmen get theopportunity to start. That builds his and Desmond’s confidence that theycan play at that position. However, it can be a disadvantage to Wayne[Turner] because he probably has more confidence with a set lineup andknowing who’s going to be that shooting guard. He’s probably making themost adjustments on the court because it’s his job to distribute the ball.But I think the players have done a great job of filling that spot.”
On whether he fears a mental letdown in the team
“I prepare the same way for every game, whether the other team has injuriesor not doesn’t affect the way we prepare. You never look at the opposition.If you worry about what they do, you have a real problem. What you have tobe concerned about is how you prepare yourself mentally to get ready. Inever consider that we won’t be up [for a game]. I come out with the sametype of intensity, no matter who it is.”
On Michael Bradley and the improvements he’s made
“He’s done a good job of building his stamina and endurance. He’s alwayshad a good feel for the game. He has great basketball IQ and understandingof how to play the game. He’s more poised catching the ball in the post andhe’s confident he can hold his ground inside. That’s due to maturity in hisbody and in himself as a person. He’s really grown up on and off the court.Against Georgia, he was looking to take the ball to the basket. He’sshooting a high percentage. When he gets the ball, he’s our best shooter.We want to give him good opportunities to score every time he touches theball.”
On whether Bradley’s play has surprised him
“I thought Jamaal [Magloire] would be giving us that type of offense andstability at the five-spot. Mike spent a lot of time backing Scott up atthe four-spot last year, so this year we’ve moved him closer to the basket.Sometimes the situation dictates you do that and you may find out that aplayer is better at the center spot than at power forward. That’s whathappened with Michael Bradley. It’s been a pleasant surprise that he’s beenable to hold his own and play with consistency. That’s a real positive forthe team that he’s been able to do that.”
UK Player Quotes
#42 Jamaal Magloire
Junior/Center
“We’ve had a lot of success in the past going into the post position. Weneed to concentrate on our strengths throughout the rest of the season. Ithink we’re an average team right now, but we have what it takes to be agreat team. We just need to come in and play hard in every practice andevery game.”
“I’m concentrating on helping the team by doing the little things. Everyoneknows their role. We just have to go out and execute. I feel verycomfortable with my role. I think I’m back to 100% on the court right now.We have a family atmosphere on the team. We look out for and take care ofeach other through everything. That’s helped me tremendously.”
#34 Scott Padgett
Senior/Forward
“We’re going to have to bring our best game against LSU. In the SEC, itdoesn’t matter who you’re playing. You have to play hard every time out.It’s still a goal of ours to win the SEC title, so each game is importantto us.”
“I feel like we had a couple of defensive lapses against Georgia. We needto go out and work on our half court offense. You’re never going to have aperfect game, but we have to work on our weaknesses.”
(On Wayne Turner)
“What can I say about Wayne Turner. During his whole career, he’s beenpretty much unstoppable on penetration. He’s worked really hard on his freethrow shooting and he’s become one of our top players in that area. We allknow he’s a lot better than the national media gives him credit for. He’s aguy that, if he wanted to, could go out and score 20 points a game. But, heknows that may not be the best thing for this team. He does so many things,through his defense, steals and assists, that help us win games.”
#14 Heshimu Evans
Senior/Forward
(On the Georgia game)
“Playing against G.G. (Smith) playing his brother, Coach used to be there,it was an emotional game. It’s tough to play there and Georgia’s a toughteam.”
(On the overtime experience)
“We might see plenty of overtime down the line. This brings us the chanceto handle it later, and maybe be the SEC or NCAA champions.”
“Anytime we have any type of new experience, whether overtime or other,it’s beneficial to the team. The freshmen will learn that games will betough, and NCAA games might be tougher. It will help them later.”
(On the end-of-season play)
“We would love to move up two or three, but we have to win our games beforewe move up.”
(On the LSU game)
“LSU has great athletics. They always have been through the years. We justhave to come out and play.”
