Dec. 21, 2001
KENTUCKY VS. INDIANA
BASKETBALL PRESS CONFERENCE
MEMORIAL COLISEUM, LEXINGTON, KY
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On Duke game…
“We really competed and I thought we had a good effort on our part. There were times we didn’t execute defensively as well as I would have liked, especially against the best player in the country in Jason Williams. We had opportunities where we could have switched off on him and you saw me making changes because of those reasons. We didn’t handle them very well, but we’ve working hard on that as we prepare for Indiana.”
On Indiana…
“Indiana is really an outstanding three-point shooting team. From what I read, they are a team that is anxious to play us and it should be a great game tomorrow.”
On matching intensity…
“Our players have the ability to raise their level of intensity in big games. I thought Duke had to raise their level of intensity to play with us the other night. That’s the way I want our guys to be. When we hit the court, teams know that they are going to have to match the intensity that we are going to play with on a regular basis.”
On loss to Duke…
“Our guys felt like they should have won the game. They are anxious to get out there again and prove that we are a good team that is capable of winning those types of games. The game against Indiana tomorrow is that kind of game.”
On Jules Camara…
“He gives us that inside defensive presence. He’s got speed and quickness inside, he gives away a lot of weight and strength but he makes up for it. Against Carlos Boozer, he was able to keep the ball off of him and contribute a lot on the offensive and defensive end.
“I think he’ll have even more of an impact against Indiana because they don’t have a 280-pound guy like Boozer banging around inside, so he should be much more effective. He’ll be starting for us, he earned that opportunity and we expect him to play with the same effort he gave us against Duke.”
“He’s a very intelligent player. He uses his athleticism and quickness to avoid guys that really try to post him up deep like Duke did the first couple possessions of the game. He sees that a lot in practice with Marvin (Stone) and Marquis (Estill). He had a problem with trying to do too much at times but he’s starting to feel comfortable.”
On hype of IU game…
“Every game is big to us. It doesn’t matter if it’s Duke, Indiana, or Louisville. We approach every game the same way. Once they put on a Kentucky jersey they realize that there is a certain faction of people that want to see you get beat. Certainly we’re going into a hostile environment in their territory playing in Indianapolis. I don’t try to use gimmicks or hype to motivate them. Hype is one thing that will get you beat if you’re not careful.”
On play of Keith Bogans in loss to Duke…
“Disappointing. I didn’t think he gave us the energy that we needed at both ends of the court. If he had his consistent game we would have won. I think he struggled because he’s been up and down all year long. We expect more and when that doesn’t show up you’re disappointed. He’ll bounce back. His shooting affects the other parts of his game and we’ve been dealing with that for a while now.”
On how Gerald Fitch gets so many offensive rebounds…
“Heart, hustle, determination. Wanting it bad enough to do whatever it takes to get it. He goes after it with two hands, he’s strong and has great hands. You don’t ever see him fumble or miss a pass. If he gets his hands on it, usually it’s his and that’s what it’s all about. When he does it consistently, it’s hard to stop him.”
On playing Duke, Indiana and Louisville in a row…
“They’re on the schedule. We have to play them. There are a lot of teams playing in big games this time of year and it’s just part of college basketball. We know there’s not going to be much of a holiday because we’re working but we approach every game the same way, one at a time.”
On team play…
“Our guys are starting to mature and gain respect for how hard they have to work in practice in order to prepare themselves for each game. When you do that, that makes you focus and more serious about what you have to accomplish.”
“I like the way our guys keep their composure. When things may not go well or go in their favor, they keep a level head and keep playing. They did not lose their concentration because of other distractions in the game against Duke.”
On IU Coach Mike Davis’ comments this week…
“I don’t know how or what he does to motivate his team. I just know what we do to prepare ourselves to play. We know it’s a great opportunity to get better and to get another win. Our guys want to remain one of the top teams in the country and improve every time we go out.”
On what is under his Christmas tree…
“I haven’t really looked to see what’s under there but I saw a couple packages and I wondered if any of them are for me.”
Guard J.P. Blevins
On Indiana…
“We’ve seen them play but we know they are going to play their best and their hardest against us. We don’t expect any less from them. It’s going to take another huge effort on our part tomorrow.”
On the neutral site…
“It’s different than any other game because the fans are split half and half. You can see the division of red and blue in the dome. Even though it was on a neutral court, the game in New Jersey was nothing like what this one will be as far as atmosphere.”
Forward Keith Bogans
“The last two days in practice, we’ve tried to match the intensity we had in New Jersey. We want to play the same way against Indiana.”
On the Duke game…
“We felt like we had played well but we made a few mistakes here and there. It’s tough to get over because we gave a good effort. But after watching the film, we saw could have played a lot better. Overall, we played a good game but we have to get over it and get ready for Indiana.”
On his shooting struggles…
“I’m trying to play good defense, contain my man, get the rebounds – do the little things that are needed. I know my shots are going to fall. I’m not worried about that.”
Forward/Center Jules Camara
On the loss to Duke…
“We just have to keep our head up. We have to face Indiana tomorrow and they’re pretty tough. We have to go up there ready to play.”
“I was still thinking about it for a while but now I’m focused on Indiana. It’s the past and we have to move on.”
On what Coach Smith told him after the Duke game…
“He told me I have to be more aggressive. The more active I am, the better I am for the team. I was more active against Duke than any other game and everything fell in place for me.”
Guard Rashaad Carruth
On the team’s attitude after the Duke game…
“We haven’t gotten down on ourselves. It was a real confidence builder and we showed we can play with the best. We’ll see Duke again.”
On the Indiana/Kentucky rivalry…
“I don’t really know anything about the rivalry, but it seems to mean a lot to the fans. I’m a UK player so it means a lot to me.”
On IU…
“We’ll just prepare for them like any other game. The players just have to get pepped up to go out there and win.”
On his play against Duke…
“I was just looking forward to playing Duke. My teammates got me the ball in the right spots at the right times and I was hitting the shots.”
On his playing time…
“Sometimes it’s frustrating. Guys like Tayshaun (Prince) and Keith (Bogans) had to wait their turns and now they take advantage of it. I just have to practice and play as hard as I can to be ready when I get into the game.”
Forward Tayshaun Prince
On what the Indiana game means…
“It means a lot, especially with how well we played in New Jersey and left with a loss. We’ll just have to get off to a good start and make plays when we have to. We’re going to try to get something going early and get the Indiana crowd out of the game.”
On what they need…
“We need to continue to get big contributions from the people off the bench. If we get someone like Rashaad, who’s playing really well right now, to make big plays, it will help a lot.”
On the tough December schedule…
“It means a lot for our future – SEC play, tournament play. It helps us by letting us know where we are at this point as far as how we’re playing and the things we need to work on. To play against Duke and then Indiana, it’s very important to our team.”
