UK vs. Tennessee
Tubby Smith Quotes
Opening statement
“We gave a real gutsy effort tonight. We were very focused and businesslike. I was not sure how we would respond coming in, but I think we responded the right way. Tennessee played hard and tough. The key for us was getting the lead and maintaining it. (Keith) Bogans rebounded the ball well, and he really got on the boards and went to the basket. Tayshaun (Prince) got us started off early. (Gerald) Fitch is amazing stripping the ball. Our team defense held them to under 40 percent shooting, and they are a great offensive team.”
On Keith Bogans’ play
“He’s been struggling from three-point range, but he hit a couple of good shots. He realizes that if he puts the ball on the floor and takes it to the basket he can draw fouls.”
On the support of the crowd and the effect of winning at home
“We always talk to the players about giving their best effort regardless of whether they are home or away. We know if we can’t win at home, we probably can’t win on the road. It was a great crowd tonight, and with our great fans and arena, we are tough to beat.”
On Isiah Victor
“I thought Tayshaun (Prince) has had two excellent defensive outings. He can defend in multiple defensive positions. A key to this game was to keep Isiah from getting his shots. Tayshaun’s overall defense is excellent.”
On hanging on to win despite games getting close at toward the end
“We’ve done a good job of that since our early losses. Tennessee is the No. 4 team (in the nation) so they are going to make a run. But this helps us get a killer instinct. We can take this as a learning experience and hopefully keep winning.”
Cliff Hawkins #1
On the game’s intensity
“I was pretty pumped going into this game. We had a good practice yesterday and I knew we were going to come out fired up. That was one of the most exciting games I have ever played in. When Tayshaun dunked on Isiah Victor I was jumping up and down for the next five minutes.”
On the recent play of the team
“We made some big changes from the beginning of the year. The coaches have worked us hard and that hard work is starting to pay off.”
“We have started weathering the storm and absorbing our opponents runs. Tennessee played tough tonight, we have to take our hat off to them. This was a great win. We proved that we can play with anybody in the country.”
Tayshaun Prince #21
On the intensity of the game
“Tonight it was just two teams going at it with everything they had. It was a fun game to play in. It is going to be the same way when we go down there.”
On being unbeaten in the SEC
“We are the only unbeaten team in the SEC and that is a great feeling going into a tough road swing. We are playing magnificently and we are hoping to keep it up.”
On the play of Keith Bogans
“Keith is playing the best I have seen him play since he has been at Kentucky. For him to step-up like he has the past few games has been a huge lift for us.”
Jason Parker #42
On the crowd
“I always knew that Kentucky had the best fans in the world and tonight they proved it.”
Saul Smith #11
“This was definitely one of the loudest crowds I’ve been in front of and I have been in front of a lot of them. They really helped us out tonight.”
“Tennessee is a tremendous team, we just shut them down in the second half. This game is a border war. Emotions are always high for this game.”
Keith Bogans #10
“I guess I did back up my words that we were going to win. I knew it would be a tough game, but I had a good feeling.”
“Tennessee is a great team but we just came out pumped up tonight. We played very well. We knew that even if we got up that they would make a run, but we played well in the second half and got a victory.”
“We have to play like this every game and show what type of basketball we can play. If we don’t play at this level from now on Coach Smith will not be very happy.”
Gerald Fitch #4
“Tennessee is a great team. I do not think they are overrated, we just played better basketball tonight.”
