11-7-00
Pre-Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Quotes

Coach Tubby Smith Quotes

“We are getting the season started as early as we have ever gotten it started, and that is a pretty stressful time because you don’t have time to prepare your team. Being a young team, I think that is always a concern. I have been pleased with the way our guys have worked in practice. I just hope we can execute when it comes game time.”

“We are looking forward to competing in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament against some of the best talent, best teams and coaches in the country. It will be a real big exam early in the season.”

“We are as ready as all the other teams just because no one could start any earlier than we did. I still think, though, that we are not ready and we are not going to be in mid-season shape and I don’t want us to be either. We are trying to continue to review and improve our system and plays. Trying to get everyone on the same page at this time of year is hard to do so early in the season.”

On the younger players: “They are doing well. I have been very pleased with Gerald Fitch, he has done a great job and has been a pleasant surprise as a freshman. He plays hard, he is aggressive, he can shoot and he has been consistent in his outside shooting. Jason Parker is probably contributing the most because we probably have a need for him right now inside.”

“I would probably like it better if I had a veteran team, a more seasoned team. It is good for college basketball for teams to have these tip-off tournaments. They are just getting so early now that they might be an injustice to the players because they might not have time or be able to put their best product forward.”

On player rotation: “It is pretty much a feel but I would like to see us get to 10 or 11 now that Erik [Daniels] is back. I think we can use everybody-everyone on the team can contribute. Whether it is a rotation at a set time, I have always done it by feel, not depending on a set time.”

On Saul Smith: “He has improved in his shooting, but then again, I thought he was shooting pretty well at the beginning of last year. Saul is pretty consistent at home and away. I think if you look at the statistics, he is pretty solid whenever he was on the road. And that is the key when you are a veteran player.”

“Marvin [Stone], based on his performance the other night, I would like to see him get a double-double every game. That is a good goal for him, if he can rebound the ball like that. That is where I was really concerned about him, but he went after the ball and was more aggressive about attacking the basket and that is what he needed to do.”

On the two tough games: “It is hard to duplicate that type of competition in practice and you can’t do it in one exhibition game, though I thought the California All-Stars were very competitive. I think they can measure themselves by the progress of St. John’s, Kansas and UCLA throughout the year. That way they can realize what more they need to work on and how much harder they need to work. I hope that is what they draw from this experience.”

“I think we will shoot better because we are a better passing team. I have a lot of confidence this year.”

Kentucky Player Quotes

Marvin Stone, C

“We can’t wait to get out on the court and play. I want to redeem myself from the last performance in the Garden. We’re ready to play big teams. We’re tired of scrimmaging and practicing against each other. These are the first television games of the season. We’re excited about that, too.”

“It’s tough to be physical all the time, but you have to learn to do it. I love to do it, though. I’m here to do what the team needs me to do. Jason (Parker) and I will be tough inside.”

Saul Smith, G

On playing in Madison Square Garden…

“The Garden is just part of the landscape. We can’t go in there mystified. I’ve played there before, but it will be the first experience for some of these guys to play in the world’s most famous arena.”

On the short pre-season preparation period…

“It would be fun to have more games to prepare with, but we also take honor in being one of the first teams to play. These games on Thursday will be the first of the college season. That’s a pretty big deal.”

“We’re right on schedule for where we should be. There are some things that we haven’t worked on as much. Sure, we’d like to be ahead of schedule, but we’ve worked hard in practice and gotten a lot done. Coach Smith is happy with where we are. Regardless, Thursday night the ball will go up under the lights in New York. It’s going to be an intense game.”

Keith Bogans, G

“St. John’s is a very talented team. Omar Cook is a very good player at the point, and Alpha Bangura is a great forward. They’ve also got Reggie Jessie. I played some against Bangura in high school, and he’s a tough guy.”

On the early season start…

“This is what coming to Kentucky is all about. We want to play tough teams right from the start. Being one of the first two college games on TV is awesome. In the first game, we want to make a statement. We’re going to let the world see what Kentucky is all about.”

“This is a whole new Kentucky team. We’re going to play up-tempo, exciting ball. We’re a lot quicker and have more depth this year. With that depth, we’re able to keep guys fresh. This is the type of ball people come to Kentucky to play.”

Tayshaun Prince, F

On playing in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic…

“This is going to be a great opportunity for us to see where we are as a team. It is a tough challenge being early in the season, but from these games we will learn what we need to work on to accomplish our goals and make this a better team.”

On playing in Madison Square Garden…

“I am really looking forward to it. The greatest basketball players of all-time have played on that court and it is going to be a great experience for everyone. I expect our freshmen to be nervous and over-anxious in the beginning, but once they get settled in to the game I expect them to be fine. It will be a great experience for them because not many basketball players can say that they played their first college game at “The Garden.”

On the leadership of Saul Smith…

“Saul has done an outstanding job assuming the leadership role on this team. He is the only senior and he has been through a lot of battles in his four years. He has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, but he has handled it very well and I anticipate that continuing throughout the season.”

J.P. Blevins, G

On the UK’s chances this season…

“We are a very young team with only one senior, but from our senior and the juniors on this team we have excellent leadership. We have been playing well in practice and I think we are ready for our first test. From what we have showed in practices, I think this team has the talent to make it to the Final Four.”

On the St. John’s game…

“We are very anxious. We have been practicing for a while now and we are ready for the season to begin. St. John’s is a very talented team, but like us, they are very young, and with young players you never know what to expect, especially playing in front of 20,000 people at Madison Square Garden.

On St. John’s freshman point guard Omar Cook…

“Omar is very quick and extremely talented, but then again, it will be his first game in college. But what we need to remember is that it is not Omar Cook vs. Saul or Omar Cook vs. Cliff Hawkins or myself, it is Kentucky vs. St. John’s.”