Dec. 9, 2002
On how he feels about the team as a whole to this point…
“We are starting to play better, but one game doesn’t make a season. We feel like we have a lot of areas where we need to improve. We’re taking it one day at a time and trying to get better. Rebounding and transition defense are two areas that we need to focus on.”
On what he expects to see from Tulane…
“Coach (Shawn) Finney and I have been good friends for a long time. I know they’ve been bitten by the injury bug early this season. I expect they’ll be a team that wants to push the ball and press. With the injuries he’ll probably play some zone and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do some different things offensively and defensively.”
On the importance of this game to build momentum…
“It’s always important to give your best effort every time you step on the court. We have a big month ahead of us and we’re facing a very tough part of our schedule. It’s important we get everyone healthy again and get our full arsenal of players together as soon as possible.”
On what Marquis Estill means to the team…
“He’s always been a very good offensive player on the interior. He has a great ability to put the ball in the basket down low. He’s our only true “big body,” so it’s important that he stays healthy and stays out of foul trouble.”
On the play of Gerald Fitch early in the season…
“We’re excited to see Gerald win the Player of the Week in the SEC, he’s very deserving of that. He’s really accepted the challenge of being our point guard. Against North Carolina he made some shots in transition, got the ball to the right people and really played with a lot of confidence. The rest of the team was able to feed off his confidence.”
On the speculation of football Coach Guy Morriss and the Baylor University opening…
“I just heard the rumors like everyone else and I’m waiting like everyone else. He’s done a fantastic job here under some circumstances. I’d love to see him stay here. I’m sure his players and staff, as well as our administration would love for him to stay here. I know he’ll make the best decision for himself and his family.”
UK PLAYERS
Gerald Fitch, Guard
On Tulane…
“I think they will be very similar to us. [Tulane Coach Shawn Finney] was part of Tubby’s personnel. It’ll be like playing against ourselves. We have to respect them. They’ll come out hard and play with a lot of tenacity. The team that is able to execute the most and play the hardest is going to win.”
On being named SEC Player of the Week…
“It’s a great individual honor, but we still have a lot of games to go. I’m not playing for myself. I credit my teammates for that award. Without them, I couldn’t do anything. I’m not going to take it individually, I consider it a Kentucky basketball award.”
On the upcoming schedule…
“This is a huge month. It’s a check to see what type of team we are. We need to have tunnel-vision and focus on one team at a time.”
Erik Daniels
On getting back to action…
“I was very excited to get in the game at North Carolina – I had a lot of energy. I’m just happy to be back out there with my teammates.”
On his sprained thumb…
“It’s getting better. It’s still a little sore. I’m getting treatment on it right now but I’m sure it’ll be all right.”
On playing right away after four-game suspension…
“I was really surprised, but I was ready to go. I’ve been practicing with the team. I expected to play, just not that soon. I think I did pretty good out there against North Carolina.”
Chuck Hayes, Forward
On his nose injury…
“I’ve been icing it down regularly, it’s no big deal. When I got back I checked my voice mail and everybody kept telling me ‘Chuck, they zoomed in on your nose about three times – they showed the blood coming down onto your lip and everything.’ They told me it was nasty.”
On Marquis Estill’s play…
“He just brings it night in and night out and every day in practice. Not only does he push himself but he also pushes us too. I know there’s been a couple times when I’ve been tired and he told me to get up off my knees and keep working hard.”
On the turn-around of Marquis Estill…
“He’s healthy this year. He’s in terrific health – he’s taking care of his body. He gets proper rest and he’s eating the right foods. He’s doing a good job.”
On Marquis Estill playing well…
“If we didn’t have Marquis (Estill), you might see a lot of different outcomes in a lot of games. But then again, that’s one of the blessings of having a guy the caliber of Marquis on our team. He’s just a really important part of our team. He’s our low-post player, he takes up space and he shoots well from the field – he’s pretty much automatic.”
Keith Bogans, Guard
On his improved shooting…
“I think it goes back to last summer where I worked harder than I ever had in the past. It’s paying off right now. I don’t really think about it. I just go out there and play basketball. This year I’m more focused on getting to the basket than relying on a jump shot.”
On his ability to drive to the basket…
“Now that I’m making shots from the outside, teams have to play up on me a little more. Last year they could sag off me and play for the drive.”
On Marquis Estill getting 20 points in the second half…
“When Quis gets involved in the game, it opens up the outside for shots. We knew he didn’t get that many touches in the first half. Their big man was in foul trouble so when we came out in the second half, we just kept feeding him the ball.”
On Tulane…
“Coach (Shawn) Finney runs a lot of the same offenses and defenses that we run so it’s going to be a lot like playing against ourselves in practice. We’re just going to have to tough it out and play hard for 40 minutes.”
Marquis Estill, Center
On coming off the win over UNC…
“I think we made a statement that we have a great team and can play with anybody. We can beat anybody as long as we play hard and aggressive. People have been playing smart. Guys know that we have a wonderful team and that we can do a lot of great things and go pretty far as long as we play hard and play smart.”
On the upcoming schedule…
“Every game is a big game for us. We have to look at every game the same. We do have a tough month coming up, but I think the guys are ready. It’s been exciting – everybody’s working hard in practice and everybody’s looking forward to this stretch.”
