Jan. 10, 2000
“I want to congratulate Tayshaun Prince for being selected the SoutheasternPlayer of the Week. He has gotten stronger and is playing extremely well.He is stepping up and making big plays when we need them. When you arewinning and playing well, those are some of the awards our players and teamwill receive.”
On UK’s 72-52 win over Vanderbilt last Saturday:
“I thought there were a lot of things we did well, but there are a lot ofthings we need to improve on, especially our transition defense. I thoughtVandy hurt us in that area and in rebounding. We are going up againstprobably the best rebounding team in the league in Auburn tomorrow.Rebounding has to be our primary focus, as well as containing Chris Porter,Scott Pohlman, and Doc Robinson. They have a very balanced team and thereisn’t one or two people we can key on. Having a lot of success as of late,this is obviously a big game for us and for them. Going into the Tiger’sden is going to be a real challenge for us. Our kids realize that we havebeen in tough places before, like Cole Field House, and all we can do isgive our best effort.”
On the reason UK was successful in both games against Auburn last year:
“I think we made Chris Porter work for his shots. I think that’s what youhave to do when teams have a go-to-guy like Porter. You have to limit histouches and make him work on both ends of the court. You really have tokeep him off the offensive boards, so he doesn’t get any spectacularoffensive rebounds. He had one against us, but we were able to overcomethat. That can get the crowd up and their adrenaline going and we have tocontain that kind of play.”
On Derek Smith’s decision to play basketball:
“He hasn’t said anything yet. I don’t expect him to come out. He was at thegame Saturday, but I haven’t really talked to him since that time. I knowit is probably a real struggle for him because he hasn’t made a decision yet.”
On the two upcoming SEC road games:
“We have to value and learn from our experiences that we have had atMaryland, against Indiana, and try to carry them over in this type of gameagainst Auburn.”
On how he thought UK handled the crowd and environment at Maryland inDecember:
“I thought we handled it well. We finished well other than the breakdowndefensively when they ran out and got the layup with about a minute left.We didn’t panic and fold there and that’s what you have to do on the road.You have to stay poised in the midst of all the fans and commotion, and Ithink we are capable of doing that.”
On the role tempo and Auburn point guard Doc Robinson might play:“He can shoot with range. He is struggling from three-point range, butthat’s about what we are shooting as a team, 29%. He makes other thingshappen defensively. I am more concerned about the pressure that he bringsat the defensive end. He does a good job distributing the ball with fiveassists per game. Having started since he was a freshman, his experiencefactor will be a major factor. I know we want to run and Auburn likes topush the ball up and down the court. We’ll contain them and make them playthe entire court. When you are on the road , you want to keep the crowd outof it.”
On Auburn’s bench:
“I think Reggie Sharp and Jay Heard, both of whom played a lot last year,are solid off the bench. David Hamilton comes in and gives them qualityplay inside. I would say they have one of the stronger benches in theconference.”
On why Auburn’s defense has been so effective this season:
“They have an excellent shot blocker in Mamadou N’diaye who can erase anydefensive mistakes. They have very quick and athletic people on theperimeter. Chris Porter is an athlete who can guard many different people.”
On his concerns about the turnover department:
“We are going to have to take care of the ball because Auburn forces a lotof turnovers. They forced 28 or 29 against a good Georgia team. We have tovalue each possession, and we are doing a better job of taking care of theball. When we bring in an extra ball-handler like J.P. Blevins and giveguys more rest, it keeps us more fresh.”
UK Player Quotes
#10 Keith Bogans
“I haven’t really heard a lot about the crowd at Auburn, but I expect it to be a little like the crowd at Maryland. A game like the one at Maryland helps us to get ready for conference crowds.”
“Auburn is a great team. If we can come out and play the way we have been, then we’ll be fine. Auburn has great guys and really good perimeter players, but I think we match up perfectly with them.”
“Auburn is an up and down team that wants to run the ball. If that’s the way they want to come out and play, we welcome the opportunity.”
#21 Tayshaun Prince
On being named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week:
“That’s two in a row for UK, which is great. We’ve been playing good basketball lately and the awards are something that comes with it. I had two really good games and I shot the ball well last week.”
“We’re going to Auburn’s house, and we have to go in with high intensity. We’re going to watch the film and get prepared. They were a great team last year and played a lot of great teams. They did a great job. They’re doing the same so far this season.”
“I think both teams are totally different. It’s a new season. Auburn is the same kind of ball team. The only difference is that we’re playing on their home court. They are very aggressive and have a lot of people who can shoot the three.”
#3 J.P. Blevins
On the Auburn game:
“We had better be ready. We don’t have a choice. They are a top 5 team and we are going down there to play.”
“I think the team is coming together well. It took some time, but I think the guys know their roles now.”
“I know that we are in for a war. I don’t care who is the underdog. Our shoes better be laced tight.”
“I think a lot will be learned from this game about our team. It will give us a chance to see where we stand. We have won six in a row and are feeling good, but this is a big game.”
“I feel our schedule has prepared us as well as it could for this game. That’s the reason we play a tough early season. We will be at an advantage.”
#24 Marvin Stone
“Coach Ellis has done a good job. The team is only improving. I think this season is going to be tough on them. Last year, they could come out every game and sneak up on the other team. People didn’t know about them.”
“I think I have proven all I need to prove. I always have something to prove, but I am just going to go down and help the team out.”
