Nov. 10, 1999

On playing Athletes in Action Thursday night:
“This time of year is another chance for us to evaluate where we are as a team and to measure ourselves against a very good Athletes in Action team. As of today, I think our team has progressed since we played the California All-Stars. We made some adjustments – not necessarily our lineup – but in some of the things that we’re doing, especially in out motion offense. I thought our spacing was poor against the California All-Stars and we didn’t take care of the ball very well. Now we have to start trying to put everything together.”

On getting the chance to evaluate UK’s personnel Thursday night:
“Steve Masiello didn’t get a chance the other night. Steve probably should have gotten an opportunity because he has worked real hard. Seeing other people in different positions, like Tayshaun in our four spot, and to get other players more minutes like Todd (Tackett) who has played well in practice. I’m going to be looking at different combinations.”

On Marvin Stone’s development:
“What other player is going to get the chance to work against a player of Jamaal Magloire’s caliber who will be a lottery pick or at least a first-round pick. That is something Marvin can gain a lot of confidence from. Jamaal has been a real mentor to him as far as helping him through things so that has been a big help to Marvin. He is still trying to improve his outside shooting and that’s something that is going to come around.”

On UK’s defensive press:
“We will press a lot but we’re always going to be a team that presses according to our needs. But our problem right now is our depth. We have pressed in the past but in certain situations.”

On Jamaal taking the 10-15 foot jump shots:
“I never really discouraged him, but he has become pretty versatile. If he gets a backscreen and his guy helps to the basket and nobody is around him, yes he should take it. It’s a shot he can make now and he has shown some consistency in practice, but I think Jamaal realizes where he will be most effective and where he’ll help our team the most and that is inside.”

On Jules Camara’s improvement:
“He is beginning to know when to put the ball on the floor and when to pass it. He needs to make the cut and move on the wing and he is starting to understand where you can go in the offense. He is shooting the ball with a lot more confidence from the outside. He is always going to have trouble with the bigger and stronger guys inside but he has to learn to use his quickness which he is doing to keep the ball out of the post.”

On his ‘young’ team:
“This is a very smart team and we do have a lot of guys who were on the team last year. We have eight guys who know the offense and understand the defense but they are young. We are making probably less mistakes now than we did my first year here two years ago. Once the young players understand, then they are going to be more complete players. I think we’re young but experienced.”

On UK’s projected starting lineup:

“They are all pushing for a starting spot but we’ll probably go with the same starting lineup as we did last week. They played pretty effective last week. We still need to find how other players will respond in certain situations.”