Kentucky 67, Penn 50.
Coach Tubby Smith Quotes
“We’re very happy to get a good win over a good team. Pennsylvania is a toughsquad. J.P. (Blevins) hit a big three before the break and that was important,because it gave us the momentum at the half. I thought our defense wasoutstanding. I was impressed with Marvin Stone and I thought Jamaal Magloire’spresence inside was a big factor. Pennsylvania is a talented team and I thinkwe just wore them down at the end. We still need to take better care of theball, but we’re pleased with the good defensive showing and are happy to getthe win.”
On Marvin Stone
“Marvin understands how to play the game. When you combine that with hisoutstanding work ethic, you get a very mature and well-coached player. He notonly listens to what you’re saying, but he hears it and does what you ask. Ithink this game will be a confidence builder for him. I think his play willpush everyone on the front line to work a lot harder.”
On holding Penn’s Michael Jordan to 2-of-14 shooting
“I though Saul (Smith) set the tempo early by denying him the ball. We wereable to switch on screens and limit his number of touches.”
On his halftime adjustments
“Their zone was hurting us in the first half and was making us shoot fromdeeper than we would have liked to. I just told them to focus on getting theball inside.”
On Desmond Allison’s play
“Desmond is one of the fastest and most athletic players on our team. He wasreally able to get up in people’s faces and stop dribble penetration. He’sprogressed from last year and improved his outside shot. His role andresponsibility have changed this year and he’s adjusted well.”
On J.P. Blevins
“J.P. played well tonight, but I’ve been impressed with him all fall. He’simproved his quickness and he’s always been a good shooter. Hopefully, tonightwill give him even more confidence.”
On Friday’s game against Utah”I haven’t seen much of (Utah) yet. I know they have some players back fromwhen we played them two years ago and they always have good size. It will be atough game. They’re a strong, physical team and they’re always well-coached.”
UK Player Quotes
#32 Desmond Allison
“Tonight we had four guys in double figures. I think we got a group effort andthat is what we are going to need to continue to win as the season goes on.”
“Our guys really hustled up and down the floor tonight. We had a 10-point runand those are the kinds of things that get us going.”
#11 Saul Smith
“We got in a good flow there in the second half. We started to hustle and getup and down the court, but our half court offense still isn’t where we want itor where it needs to be. I take responsibility for that.”
#21 Tayshaun Prince
“I don’t know if they were tired, but they started to stand around in thesecond half. It was to our advantage. We got a few good turnovers and stealsand made it work.”
“Marvin (Stone) came in playing. He was a good lift for the team. I said inthe exhibition games that if the starters have a bad night, the bench has tocome in and give a spark to us. Marvin did that.”
On the Utah game
“We weren’t concerned about (that game). We just wanted to get pastPennsylvania and play well.”
#24 Marvin Stone
On his play
“I wasn’t surprised. I was just trying to have fun.”
“I have dreamt about this. I really have to thank my teammates.”
“I wasn’t too nervous about the game. I got nervous when I stepped on thecourt. I told myself to calm down. Once I got the ball a few times, I was allright.”
“I don’t think I let the pressure get me. I just try and play the game and notworry about any pressure.”
#42 Jamaal Magloire
On Marvin Stone:
“He is on the same page with all of us right now and his comfort level showedin his play tonight. He is hungry in there and is getting good shots. If hecontinues to put himself in a good position to score, he is going to be a bigplayer for us.”
On his impression of the team’s season opener:
“We were not hitting our shots tonight and that hurt us. We have to continue towork hard to get open, stay composed and the results will come.”
On playing Utah on Friday:
“It feels a little weird playing them so early in the season. They are a greatteam, I think that they are ranked 15th, so it is going to be a tough game.”
Penn Coach Fran Dunphy Quotes
“I thought we did a pretty good job defensively tonight. We turned it over afew crucial times against the pressure which led to some easy baskets for them.I think the biggest problem for us was our offense in the second half. It wasvery poor in terms of execution, but we did get the open looks. We just didn’tget them to go down. Our offense was the biggest problem for us and I give thema lot of credit for that. With Prince at the three-spot, it gives them adifficult presence to shoot around because he is so long.”
On UK’s size:
“They have some size. I thought Stone did a nice job on the offensive end. Theyhave a nice balance and are a good basketball team. We had to play a very, verygood basketball game to win tonight and we didn’t do that.”
On the play of Penn’s young players:
“I thought David (Klatsky), Ugonna (Onyekwe), and Koko (Archibong) did reallygood jobs. I was happy to see Duane (King) make that last jump shot. Comingback to Kentucky, it was important for him. I think their future is verybright.”
Penn. Player Quote
Matt Langel Penn. Guard
On his experience playing at Rupp
“Rupp is known to be one of the great places in the country. It was an awesomeatmosphere, the instruments lined up around the court when the players came outand the flags were coming on the court. That really gets you pumped up andready to play. Their fans are behind them. Every time it got close in thefirst half they all stood up and got behind their team. It was reallyimpressive.”
Ugonna Onyekwe Penn. Forward
On his first collegiate game:
“It was a good experience. Had a little bit of nerves at first. Then I settleddown and did what I could to help us win the game. Unfortunately it didn’t workout the way we would have liked.”
