Dec. 5, 2001
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KENTUCKY VS. VMI
POST-GAME QUOTES
DECEMBER 5, 2001
RUPP ARENA
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On the game…
“It was a good team effort. Our defense was a little more intense for a longer period of time. We just wore VMI down. We tried to make our players aware than VMI is a good team, and we came in and played well. But we gave up entirely too many threes.”
On the team’s fast start…
“We tried something different in our warm-ups. We brought the team in earlier for that. When you make shots early, it helps intensify the defense.”
On Rashaad Carruth…
“He missed some shots early. They were good shots so you can’t fault him for that. He looked a little gimpy, but once he settled down, he played really well.”
On Marvin Stone…
“You’ll have bad games and good games. Tonight he rebounded the ball extremely well and had two blocks. He is working hard to attack the basket, and he is beginning to realize that is what he has to do to get more minutes.”
On Reggie Hanson…
“He works primarily with our post players. He has an excellent mind and relationship with our players. He brings the expertise of playing professional ball. He is a very conscientious and dedicated worker.”
On the team’s defense…
“We did a good job of switching and making them go to their second and third options. We boxed out well to keep them off the offensive boards. And we caused 23 turnovers.”
UK PLAYERS
Rashaad Carruth, G
On his first game as a Wildcat…
“I wasn’t nervous. I probably rushed my shot a little at first, but I came out in the second half and played better. I have to compliment my teammates for giving me good shots. It felt real good to be playing tonight.”
“I knew the crowd was behind me. But when I went to the scorer’s table and people cheered it really made me feel good. It made me feel like I am right at home.”
“My ankle felt good tonight. I would say it is 90% now.”
Keith Bogans, G
Do you think this was the best effort so far by this team?”Yes, I think so overall. We came out and played an all-around game. I think tonight we had it all together, the offense and the defense.”
On the North Carolina game…
“(The Tar Heels) are looking forward to the game. They have been down and want to come in here and beat us. We will have to execute offensively and defensively just like we did tonight.”
On the play of Rashaad Carruth…
“We really wanted to see his shots go in and see him get his confidence going. He played with a lot of composure and came in ready to play. He is very mature.”
Tayshaun Prince, F
“For once we got off to a good start. It was definitely on our minds to start strong and I think that really made a difference for the rest of the game.”
On his first double-double of the season…
“I just wanted to attack the glass strong on both ends of the court. The guys did a great job of boxing out and that’s why I was able to get those boards. My first few inside shots were good and that helped open things up for our threes later on.”
On the upcoming game with UNC…
“We know they’re going to step up to the challenge. They started their season off slow, but so did we. We’re going to get some rest and be up for them on Saturday.”
Marvin Stone, C
On the aggressiveness of his play…
“You never know how long you’re going to be in. I just wanted to keep playing. I just want to keep doing what I’ve been doing and give it all I have.”
On the upcoming game with UNC…
“North Carolina is a big, physical team and I know they’re going to be coming ready to play us.”
VMI Head Coach Bart Bellairs
On the game…
“I was a little bit nervous about coming off the loss to Virginia Tech and how our players would react. Obviously we faced a great basketball team tonight that was ready to blossom. They really showed they have a lot of people who can come in and get it done. (Rashaad) Carruth is another shooter that really makes them even tougher.”
On the play of his team…
“I was proud of our effort but we did not execute at all like we did against Virginia Tech and that maybe is as much emotional as it is physical. When you get beat 50-28 on the boards, I was trying to get the refs to block some guys out for us but they wouldn’t buy it.”
On playing in Rupp Arena…
“This is a tough place to play. Kentucky fans are some of the greatest fans in the country. Our kids played hard but we didn’t execute well. A reason for that is that they have some big guys inside and a big part of the game is inside play.”
On Jason Conley…
“I’ve coached in the ACC, Atlantic 10 and the Colonial and he’s probably the most exciting transition player I’ve ever coached and one of the most exciting I’ve ever seen when he gets the ball in the open floor. He’s really fun to watch.”
On the trip to Kentucky…
“We didn’t play as well as I wanted to, but we played a great Kentucky team. I am a big Kentucky fan and I listen to the talk shows a lot. Kentucky is blessed with one of the finest human beings as a coach. His staff and Mr. Larry Ivy (the UK athletics director) made my mom’s dream come true. You didn’t treat us very well on the court, but off the court, we were treated pretty darn nice.”
On UK’s toughness…
“They were tough, they were really physical with us. You’re not going to get a lot of calls when you play the Big East and SEC schools. I thought they were very physical with us as we tried to make our cuts. We shot only three free throws. For us to be good and take it to the next level, we must get more physical.”
VMI PLAYERS
Forward Jason Conley
On playing against Kentucky…
“I don’t mind playing against those type of players. I know they’ve had the chance to go to the NBA, but I don’t think about that on the court. I just act as a defender in front of them.”
On Kentucky’s defense…
“When you have defenders such as Tayshaun (Prince), it makes it tough because he is so long. He is as long as an ostrich. I tried to beat them off the dribble and with speed. At times it worked and at times it didn’t.”
Guard Daron Pressley
On playing Kentucky…
“I think it was a challenge to come here and play tonight against players with such ability. In practice we have that same type of ability but it was different coming here to play against Kentucky. I wish we could have been the same team that we were on Monday.”
On the game…
“There had to be more execution on our part. I think if we would have executed more the game would have been much closer and possibly with a different outcome.”
