January 4, 1999
Opening Statement:
“Like after any game, we’ve broken down the film from the Florida game. After watching it, I think Florida was just inexperienced. We still have to improve. I’m sure South Carolina will be ready to play. They’ve had some tough games early, but they always get better as the season goes on and I expect a tough game.”
On South Carolina’s early season woes:
“They’re starting a freshman and a sophomore and B.J. McKie has to carry abig load. I’m sure they expect some other guys to step up and they justhaven’t yet. They’ve lost some close games. They’re not far from being avery good basketball team. They’re used to putting up more points, but wedid that earlier this season, too. When Wayne (Turner), Scott (Padgett)and Heshimu (Evans) struggled some this season we had some trouble scoring,too.”
On UK’s bigger lineup:
“We just needed to get our top five guys out on the floor. Experience is abig factor in that lineup. With the exception of Michael (Bradley), theother guys (Turner, Padgett, Evans and Magloire) have been playing togetherfor three years. We’re pretty interchangeable. We just need to establisha good rotation. I’m comfortable with this lineup.”
“What we lack in quickness, we make up for in experience. Heshimu (Evans)and Scott (Padgett) can create some match-up problems for teams at the twoand three positions.”
On UK’s practices:
“Practice is key. When we had that stretch earlier in the season, it keptus from looking at the team and making corrections. Games can slip awayfrom you when you are only playing and not practicing.”
On UK’s tough stretch:
“We won’t do that anymore. We’ll still be tested by Maryland, Louisville,Indiana and the like, but we won’t play a schedule like we did this fall.You can only take so many tests a semester. There is no need for finalexams at mid-term.”
On UK’s level of play:
“We’re on track. We’re playing unselfishly, rebounding well and our shotsare starting to fall. We take pride in league play. Our seniors realizetheir last season is halfway over and that there are no second chances.I’m sure they will raise their level.”
On B.J. McKie:
“He’s the key, but it’s five-on-five, not five-on-one. We can’t focus onone player. We’ll just try to limit his chances, but you can’t expect tostop him. He’s a great athlete and a smart ball player.
