Coach Tubby Smith Quotes
Opening statement…
“We had an early morning workout this morning, which was our first one since the Auburn game and after clinching a share of the SEC title. We are certainly pleased about that, but we know our main goal is to win it outright and going into Florida, that will be a tough challenge. They are playing very well at this point in time, winning 10 of their last 11 games, six straight. Billy [Donovan] has the Gators playing extremely well right now. We will have to play our best game against the best shooting team in the league and one of the best offensive teams in the country. We slipped by them here on a big shot by Tayshaun Prince but if we did that there, we will definitely lose. We have to play a much better game against them there than we did here.”
“I am really pleased the players were able to come together and trust one another, and believe in what we were trying to do. It is gratifying because we weren’t picked but to finish third in the division, so to overcome that is great. I thought the kids really overachieved this year in a lot of ways, but we expected to win and our goal is to win a conference championship and because we believe in ourselves, that is why we are in this position now. I know the guys have overcome a lot of adversity this year and that tells me about the heart and soul and leadership we have in this team this year.”
“We need to take care of the ball better. We turned it over quite a bit. We need to rebound the ball better because we haven’t done that very well, especially in the last game or two. We are going to have to keep the crowd out of it.”
“I think people are playing better defense against Tayshaun [Prince] and Keith [Bogans], just paying more attention to them. We have to do something to counteract that, like getting them better looks.”
“Florida seems to be physically healthier now, with the exception of Brent Wright. Udonis Haslem has been playing great and Brett Nelson has been playing spectacular throughout SEC play. I have been impressed with their defense. They have been doing a great job of shutting people down.”
“I think the change in position with Tayshaun Prince has helped him utilize his mobility and his versatility, which was a big help. It helped him from a defensive standpoint too, because he can use his quickness defensively while guarding a bigger, stronger guy. That has made the difference in his play, I think.”
On Brent Nelson…
“He is shooting the ball well. He has led them in scoring eight of the last 12 games, I think. He had to take on a lot of responsibility while Teddy Dupay was out.”
“Obviously, our guys have a lot of pride, and from the way they talk, they want to win the conference title outright, which should be motivation enough to finish the season on top.”
On Florida defense versus Arkansas defense…
“Pressure is pressure. They don’t trap probably as much in the half-court. Arkansas probably forces more turnovers in the front court, where Florida forces more turnovers in the backcourt, because they don’t look to trap as much once you get across mid-court.”
“My guess is that the biggest [freshman] contribution has been made by Jason Parker, since he has started every game. He is our second leading rebounder, and he is doing a good job because we ask him to do a lot and he gives away some height. He has done a fantastic job, he is a very coachable young man, and he just gets better every day. The next most effective freshman has been Gerald Fitch. He has been a big surprise because of what he has been able to contribute. His heart, his hustle, was a real shock but definitely what we needed at the time. Erik Daniels has been the most consistent other than Jason [Parker] as far as shooting goes. He has really come on, making excellent passes. He has a lot of upside on him as long as he keeps getting stronger. Cliff [Hawkins] has really come around, playing with more patience and poise, giving us a big lift from a defensive standpoint. Matt [Heissenbuttel] and Cory [Sears] are guys we couldn’t do without because they give us an excellent look in practice to scout the other team.”
“I hope that it gives him that confidence that he can play against one of the best post players in the country in Udonis [Haslem]. They are very similar in their build and style of play. I like the way he is playing and I think he will have a great game, coming off one of the best of his career.”
On Denny Crum…
“He has had an unbelievable career-he is a tremendous coach and person. I appreciate everything he has done for college basketball. Coaching against him, he has always been a class act. He will probably end up somewhere else if he wants to continue to coach. I wish him the very best.”
Player Quotes
Keith Bogans
“Winning the SEC outright is what our expectation is, but going to Florida is going to make it real tough. Those rowdy reptiles aren’t about to let that happen. I know it is not going to be easy at all down there.”
“When you go into an opposing team’s territory and you have already beaten them, you know they will be coming at you with all they have got. I would say, too, that Florida is a tough place to play. The fans are tough and the type of basketball they play, they play to their fans.”
“If we get up on them down there, we have to stay on top of them. If we let down like we did at Rupp, they have the crowd with them and then it will be a long night down there.”
“We have to keep this momentum because I think we can carry this on to the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament, which would be great. We have come a long way and we don’t want to share this championship. We want people to see how far we have come because a lot of people doubted us.”
Gerald Fitch
“We have to be focused on going in there. I don’t think it takes any pressure off to know that we at least have the tie. We will not be satisfied with the tie-we want to win first place, it is not one of our goals to tie.”
On Smith asking him to grab more rebounds against Auburn…
“I expect that it is just Coach being a great coach. He only tries to make you a better player. I play better when coach gets on me.”
“I think that Keith [Bogans] and Tayshaun [Prince] will be getting a lot more pressure, which will open me up for more shots. I just need to get down and ready to shoot, trying to help the team.”
“Coach always tells me to take the open shot. I think in the beginning of the year I was a bit hesitant but now I have great confidence and I am shooting the ball with confidence.”
J.P. Blevins
“Florida’s whole student section is in the lower arena, so they are just yelling the whole time you are in there. It starts an hour and a half before the game and continues throughout the game. Senior Day especially for them will be huge as far as getting the crowd going. Florida and Arkansas are the two hardest places to play on the road.”
“It is important for us to keep our heads. It is easy for Florida to get on runs, especially when sparked by that crowd. If we can prevent that, we will be fine.”
“I think we got outplayed by Arkansas in the second half. Against Florida, we will have to bring our ‘A’ game and everyone will have to bring something to the table. We will have to use everyone. If we can do that, we will be successful.”
“We need the momentum going into the post-season that would come with a win. A real good win at Florida will give us a lot of momentum going into the SEC and NCAA tournaments.”
“Florida will be jacked up just like we were last year, and their crowd will be just as explosive as ours was last year. Hopefully we can hang in there and give a good run.”
Erik Daniels
“At first I didn’t expect to be playing as much as I did because I had surgery in the preseason but I came on pretty good. I was able to get into the line-up and get playing time.”
“I have really enjoyed being out here playing for Kentucky. I expected it to be just like it is. I have heard a lot about Kentucky basketball and it has been pretty fun playing out here.”
On Saul Smith’s criticism taking pressure off the freshmen…
“It does make it easier because as freshmen, I think it would be tough to handle a lot of criticism. Saul has taken the pressure off us though, so it has been a breeze for us.”
On the difference between the first of the season and now…
“It was very difficult for everyone to stick together and we weren’t practicing as hard as we do know. Now we are starting to make the extra pass, work as a team and practice a lot harder.”
