Dec. 13, 2002
Lexington, Ky. –
Coach Tubby Smith
On dealing with Michigan State’s size inside…
“They have some big players on the interior. (Aloysius) Anagonye is probably their most physical player, but they have good size with Adam Ballinger being a seven-footer coming off the bench, so we give away some size to him. I’ve been impressed with all their post players. Paul Davis and (Erazem) Lorbeck are both big freshmen that come off the bench and help them. Watching them on tape, they are very talented and very big, so our biggest challenge will be keeping them off the boards.”
On how Kentucky matches up with State’s physical style of play…
“We give away a lot of bulk. We hope to make up for that with our quickness. They have a talented front line to contend with, so hopefully we can do a good job of boxing out and rebounding. We need to have everyone on the boards, and not just our post players.”
On why the team is shooting such a high percentage…
“We have a very good scorer in the interior in Marquis Estill. That opens a lot on the perimeter. Marquis is delivering and Keith Bogans is shooting a lot better because he’s getting more open looks at the basket. Our shot selection has gotten a lot better. I think it was a problem early in the season.”
On his team’s improved transition defense…
“Our transition defense has improved a lot, but we have a lot more improvement to do. We’ll be tested tomorrow because Michigan State is a team that will push the ball up the floor, so we’re going to have to get back on defense. Containing their dribble penetration is going to be critical.”
On if he expected the team to shoot as well as it has of late…
“I always expect that to be the norm. We have good shooters. As long as we take good shots we’ll make them, when we take bad shots we’ll miss them. We try to emphasize to our players each day what is a good shot and what isn’t. They need to understand that if we get the ball closer to the basket we’ll probably shoot a high percentage, it’s pretty fundamental. We have to be careful because teams like to throw different defenses at us and force us to take bad shots, so we have to be disciplined enough and patient enough to wait for good shots.”
On how the inside-out game has helped the shooting percentages…
“It definitely has helped. Not only have we been going inside-out more, but guys have been making the open shot for us. Not only passing to the post, but our dribble penetration has also led to better shots.”
Sophomore Forward Chuck Hayes
On Michigan State’s size and physical play…
“It’s a challenge. They’re big – they go 6-9 plus and 250 plus. Me and the big fellows will be put to the test tomorrow. They’re 6-9 but they also get tired too. Pushing 250 pounds for 40 minutes, they could wear down.”
On preferring a physical game to finesse…
“Throwing elbows, you get bruises, bumps – it’s every man for himself in the paint.”
On Coach Tubby Smith making sure team is not getting too high on current success…
“He’s bringing us back down to reality. Coach always says you’re never as good as what you think you are and you’re never as bad. You’ve got to stay focused and stay hungry.”
“He just makes sure we don’t get big heads. He keeps us focused. Even though were playing good basketball right now, he’s still getting after it.”
Senior Guard Keith Bogans
On his shooting success…
“It’s probably been a while since I’ve been this hot. I’m just playing basketball now. The main thing is to keep working hard. As long as we keep working hard, everything else will just fall into place.”
On MSU’s size…
“They are very big – in the inside and most of their guards are big. There will definitely be some tough match-ups tomorrow.”
On refs affecting a physical game…
“I think it’s mainly going to affect the inside players. They play very physical down there – Marquis and our big guys. I’m sure it’s going to be really physical.”
On having fun…
“I’m having a lot of fun right now. Like I said, I’m just playing basketball. When you’re playing this well you have no choice but to have fun.”
On guards helping rebound…
“Coach Smith has stressed all week that if the guards don’t rebound it will be a long night. I know me and Gerald (Fitch) will have to get down there with the big guys and battle a little bit.”
Senior Forward Jules Camara
On Michigan State’s big lineup…
“We know they’re going to be physical. They’re probably the most physical team we’ll play all year. I’m just going to have to use my quickness against them. “
“They’re in pretty good shape. They run the floor real well. It’s going to be a good match up. We just have to go out there and execute our offense and we’ll be alright. “
Freshman Guard/Forward Kelenna Azuibuike
On what UK needs to do to be successful against Michigan State…
“We have to come out and play hard and physical because that’s the way they play. We need to come out with the same intensity. We have to play consistent like we have been and do the things we know how to do well.”
