Dec. 15, 2001
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Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith
On the game…
“This was a good opportunity to get a lot of guys playing time. We executed well. We kind of took the wind out of their sails. Having five guys in double figures was good. Marquis (Estill) was very effective inside. We shot the ball well, and it was a good sign to have 33 assists. I hope that this leaves us on a high note for our game against Duke.”
On getting so many assists…
“That shows the unselfishness of our players. We are opening the passing lanes, and we have a lot of guys passing the ball. That will be key for us. We have guys who can score, and now we are showing we can get them the ball. Even our inside-out passes were there today, and we capitalized.”
On Duke…
“I’ve watched very little film but have seen them on TV three or four times. They are a very talented team with players who can beat you so many ways. That’s why they are so good. They do a good job spreading you out and playing you one-on-one. We will need a great effort.”
On UK’s point-guard play against Duke…
“That is going to be very critical. When you go up against the preseason player of the year in Jason Williams you have to be ready. You can’t guard him with one player. Actually, our point guard will probably be matched up against Chris Duhon and our two-guard will be against Williams. They’re both very good.”
On the ease with which KSU was able to get transition baskets early in the game…
“That was mostly my fault. They had smaller guys in the lineup and were able to get transition baskets. I had Jules (Camara), Marvin (Stone) and Marquis (Estill) in there, and we just couldn’t keep up.”
UK Players
Guard Cliff Hawkins
On win…
“It’s nice to be able to get everybody involved. This type of game is a game that the guys who don’t get a lot of minutes can come in and contribute in the win. This type of game keeps everyone happy because it was a total team effort out there today.”
On playing Kentucky State…
“We didn’t want to have any let downs coming out today against Kentucky State. Obviously, they’re playing a step up in competition from the level they are used to playing against and they gave a great effort and played hard on the court today. We wanted to execute our offense, play good defense and get everyone involved and we were able to do all three.”
On UK positives in game…
“We reacted quickly to the ball. We got a lot of points off of their turnovers and we converged on the ball. Everybody was hustling on offense and on the defensive end.”
On Duke game…
“Our focus goes on Duke tomorrow morning when we start practicing for them. We’re taking one day and one game at a time and now that Kentucky State is behind, the focus turns to Duke.”
Guard Gerald Fitch
On playing Kentucky State…
“Me personally, I think I’ve been struggling with my field goal shooting and I was able to come out today and knock down a couple shots and get my confidence back. I think a game like this raises everyone’s confidence level. A game like this is great to have before a really big game. I think we played strong in all areas and I hope it continues into the Duke game.”
On Duke…
“I’ve watched them a couple of times last year and this year and they’re a great team. They have a lot of all-around players that can do a lot of things. That is what makes Duke difficult to prepare for and play, They can do so many things with the ball. We’re going to go out, play our game and play hard.”
On Kentucky win…
“The best part of our game that I liked today was that we passed the ball a lot. There were a lot assists in the game and we did a good job of looking for and finding the open man. We were unselfish today and played as a team.”
Forward Tayshaun Prince
“The main thing we wanted to do today was just get off to a good start, let everyone contribute and not have a letdown. I thought we did a good job of running the court. We had good ball movement and that led to some easy baskets.”
“Our passing really helped open things up. We distributed the ball well and we took the open shots the passing created for us.”
On the upcoming game with Duke…
“It’s obviously going to be a big game for both teams. The expectations are high for both schools, but no matter what the outcome is, playing them early will give us experience that will help us later.”
Forward/Center Marquis Estill
“We just played our game. We moved the ball well and were able to get a lot of open looks. It meant a lot for everyone to contribute because we’ll need everyone to contribute on Tuesday (against Duke).”
On the upcoming game with Duke…
“We’ll prepare the same way for them as we do for any team, but it’s a game everyone has been waiting for and we all want to step up.”
Kentucky State Head Coach Winston Bennett
On coming back to play Kentucky…
“I thank God for the opportunity to come back home, because this is my home. It certainly was an emotional moment for me. The fans gave me a standing ovation. This is the greatest place in the world. They never forget you here.”
On Tubby Smith…
“Coach Tubby Smith does a great job with his players. They play hard every night. He is in a tough situation because if he doesn’t win a championship, he is not appreciated. Its games like this where he should blow people out that he doesn’t get the respect that he deserves as one of the nation’s premier coaches.”
On KSU’s preparation…
“My total preparation was on beating Kentucky. I felt like our guys would come out and compete and they did.”
On Kentucky…
“Kentucky is a great team and they proved it today. They are the cr?me de le cr?me.”
On the importance of the game to KSU…
“From a recruiting standpoint, this was great for us. We were on a national stage. It was a win-win situation for us regardless of the outcome. We got a lot of good press just for coming here. The media actually paid attention to us this week and gave us some publicity.”
Kentucky State Players
#21 Brandon Elliott
On playing at Rupp Arena…
“It was a good experience. It was the biggest crowd we’ve ever had to play against. It was a good game, but we just couldn’t come out with the victory.”
On Kentucky…
“The whole team played well. We didn’t come and play the game we were capable of playing.”
On Kentucky’s chances against Duke…
“They should have a very good chance.”
#20 Jason McGowan
On Kentucky…
“It was very exciting. I’ve had to sit out for two years and coming in here and playing a big game like this was a great opportunity. I thought we came out and played well, but they got the best of us. I thought our team played pretty well. We just have to keep our heads up and keep moving.”
On Kentucky playing Duke…
“They way they’ve been playing the last couple games that I’ve seen, I think they have a great chance to beat them. Duke is a great team. But if Kentucky keeps playing the way they have been, they have a good chance.”
