November 12, 1998
Kentucky Head Basketball Coach Tubby Smith joined FANSonly for a live chat to kick off the 1998 Midnight Madness festivities. If you missed out, the transcript from the chat is below. After reading the transcript, you should also check out the team outlooks, ’97-’98 season highlight videos, and other special features that are available.
Q: Coach, who do you see locking down the 2G spot this year, or do you see that position being handled by committee so to speak. Is there any player that may “take” that spot later in the year.
Coach Smith: Well the shooting guard is a spot that Mills & Sheppard played well last year. Saul also played that spot. I see Prince, Tagett, and some others being available for play there. If Nazr came back Evans could have also played there, but yes, it will sort of be by committee.
Q: I love Wayne Turner. Why doesn’t he get the respect he deserves from publications? I know the coaches respect him, don’t they?
Coach Smith: I don’t know why he hasn’t received that respect. I know he’s one of the best PG’s in the country. We call him the Burner because he can beat you off the dribble any time. His free throw shooting is much improved as are his 3-pointers. So I think Wayne is capable and should be recognized for his potential. I know we couldn’t do w/o him.
Q: How do you feel about your returning players? Do you have a starting lineup in mind?
Coach Smith: I think we’ve got a great group of kids returning. I think Padgett has the obvious upper hand at the power forward position because of his performance last year. Heshimu will be expected to contribute as a starter. Wayne Turner will start at the point position and he will QB our team as he has in the last few years. The other two positions, Center, and Shooting Guard are up for grabs. Although Magloire started the last 12 games last year, he will be disciplined early in the season and won’t be able to start. In his place, Bradley, who played well last year, is capable, and has a good chance to move into that spot.
Q: Has the strength and conditioning program yielded some significant gains with some of the freshmen who came in a bit “lean” shall we say.
Coach Smith: Tom Boyd our strength coach has done a very good job in putting weight and muscle on players where it’s needed, especially the incoming players like Tayshaun Prince. He’s up to about 210 from 195. Jules Camara came in at 192 and is up to about 215 and Desmond Allison, who was the most mature physically of the freshman, was a football player. Returning players who’ve made improvements in their strength include Saul Smith, went from 158 to about 178-180. Bradley improved his strength and endurance and Ryan Hogan strengthened his knee after his past surgery.
Q: Being from Maryland, is that a game that you’re “really” looking forward to, or do you see it as “just” another game?
Coach Smith: Well they’re all key. We play one of the toughest schedules in the country this year. Maryland and Gary Williams has quite a few of his starters returning, a very deep bench, an outstanding JC transfer. We’ll be tested early and often. Not just by Maryland but by many other teams. However, we could end up playing Maryland twice. Once during the regular season and in the San Juan Shoot-out in Puerto Rico.
Q: How has Magloire’s offensive game come along during the off season now that he will have to Nazr’s shoes?
Coach Smith: Jamaal’s offensive skills are still developing. He’s still learning where his shots will come from on the inside. He has such big hands so it’s been a challenge to help him develop touch. We’ve done drills with tennis balls and others to get him to run the floor better. But I see Jamaal having a great season this year both offensively and defensively.
Q: Will we see more three point shots and full pressure defense from KY this year?
Coach Smith: I don’t know, we’ll play to this team’s strengths and at this pt. in time, we have some good 3 pt. shooters. It’s hard to tell whether it will be as good as last year. But we’ll be able to measure that once we get into competitive situations.
Q: How did it feel to get into the huge shoes of Rick Pitino?
Coach Smith: You never replace anyone and following in Pitino’s legacy is no doubt a challenge. Rick did wonders here in rebuilding and restoring the pride in Kentucky basketball in the early 90’s. I’ve coached here previously with Rick so the transition went smoothly because of Rick’s support and belief in me.
Q: Can you talk about your goals in recruiting the best players for UK?
Coach Smith: Yes, that’s our primary target. We always want to recruit the best players and at UK, we’re in the position of getting the best players. It’s tough because they’re very highly marketable young men. Nevertheless, we’re really excited about the new ones coming in and our committments.
Q: Coach Smith, How do you evaluate the teams in the SEC east this year, particularly South Carolina?
Coach Smith: I think SC has a great coach in Fogler, the premiere player in BJ, who does so many things for their team. Grant is one of the best forwards in the league. Johnson gives them experience. Many other teams like Tennessee will be much improved in the Eastern Division. Georgia has a really strong nucleus of returning starters. I think Vanderbilt has really improved. It will be one of the better teams after its NIT experience last year. Overall, I think it’s one of the toughest collection of 6 teams you’ll find in the country.
In the West, Arkansas and Nolan, they are very hungry. Auburn and Ellis is also returning quite a few players so the Tigers should be strong. LSU had an excellent recruiting class.
Alabama and MSU where they both have new coaches will also figure into the mix. MSU has a really solid big man returning in Tyrone Washington.
