Jan. 21, 2002
Coach Tubby Smith
On preparation for Auburn…
“We’ve been busy trying to improve in some areas that we still need improvement in. Notre Dame exploited our transition defense to some degree, getting some open three-point shots early in the game. We also need to work on stopping penetration. Both of these usually go hand in hand. In transition, if you don’t stop the dribbler and get him under control, it can hurt you.”
On Auburn…
“They’re struggling a little, losing two tough games to LSU and Vanderbilt, but they had a good win at home over Alabama which is a very talented team. We’ll have to play as good or better than we did against Notre Dame to get the win down there. I was impressed with their win over Alabama and they seem to be a much tougher team at home than they are on the road.”
On Auburn center Kyle Davis…
“He’s a great shot blocker. He reminds me a lot of (Notre Dame forward) Ryan Humphrey, except he’s longer and he’s a better shot blocker. He’s very athletic and very talented and can cause problems inside.”
On teams coached by Cliff Ellis…
“Whenever you play against Cliff Ellis teams, you know that they really don’t beat themselves. Coach Ellis’ teams are always very organized, usually pretty disciplined in the way they attack and you know they’ll press and trap, something that his teams are always good at doing. They’re not the best shooting team, but they are a team that’s very capable of making shots and beating you.”
On intensity level…
“I thought we went up to Notre Dame with the right attitude and played to the level of intensity that we had to play with in order to be competitive and win that game. We’re going to have to do the same at Auburn. Whenever you go on the road in the Southeastern Conference, you’ve got to come in with your game face, be focused and ready to play.”
On 9 p.m. (ET) game time…
“It’s a late game. I think our guys played extremely well in the game on Saturday because they didn’t have a lot of time to think and dwell on it – we just went up and played. We’re going to have to really be concerned about how we prepare for this game.”
On Kyle Davis’ shot-blocking ability…
“Kyle Davis is a guy who is a superb shot blocker. He’s leading the SEC in blocked shots and he can change shots when you go to the basket. He can limit the number of opportunities you get because he can erase a lot of mistakes, like if a guy gets beat off the dribble. He can rotate over and block the shot. When you go up against a premier shot blocker, it really makes a difference.”
On play of Marquis Estill…
“If he can stay out of foul trouble he could give us a lot more. That’s one thing that concerns me. He’s had a problem with offensive fouls, but he’s our best scoring offensive threat inside and we knew that from the beginning of the year. As long as he stays healthy, he’s focused and he’s got great touch. We need to work harder on getting him the ball when he’s in scoring position.”
On play of Gerald Fitch…
“I was very happy with Gerald and the way he handled the ball at Notre Dame. We’ll see more intense pressure at Auburn than what we did at Notre Dame, but Gerald showed a lot of poise and maturity because we haven’t worked with him much at the point. It will take all of us handling the ball better to duplicate the way we took care of the ball we did against Notre Dame when we play Auburn because they are a real up-and-down, pressing type of team.”
On role of Martin Luther King, Jr. in his life…
“He has been a critical and important role model for me and for many minorities. He was a champion of the “have-nots” and the oppressed. The civil rights movement was important in my time, going to school in North Carolina and I was a part of the changing of the times as integration came about. He was a part of our culture, and his legacy lives on for the needy and the oppressed. He was a leader, not only politically, but through his religious beliefs as well.”
Marquis Estill
On playing against Kyle Davis…
“I am going to post-up strong and try to get him up in the air and draw fouls. I always look to muscle and bang with the big guys.”
On a reduction in playing time…
“Everyone gets a little frustrated when your minutes go down. But as long as we win, I’m happy.”
On Martin Luther King Jr….
“He was a great leader. I am pretty sure that (Coach Smith) will talk about him some today, both before and during practice.”
Tayshaun Prince
On Auburn…
“They will be pumped up. It is a big game for both teams. We have to make sure that they don’t get off on a good foot against us.”
On Gerald Fitch spelling Cliff Hawkins at the point…
“It gives Cliff more rest and a chance to stay out of foul trouble. We don’t lose anything when Gerald is in there versus when Cliff is in there.”
On Martin Luther King Jr….
“He was a role model to a lot of people in my area growing up. I remember I had to memorize his entire speech when I was in fifth grade and recite it without anything on paper in front of 3,000 people at graduation.”
Keith Bogans
On coming out and scoring quickly at Notre Dame…
“I actually missed my first shot. I hit the next two and then I started to feel good. It was really fun. I hope it continues to be fun.”
On Auburn…
“I remember my first year we went down there and lost to them. Everyone always gets up to play us.”
On drawing fouls…
“I am the type of player who tries to get to the line by going down the lane and drawing contact.”
On the presence of Auburn shot-blocker Kyle Davis…
“You have to attack a shot-blocker. We won’t shy away from him.”
