NO. 20/18 KENTUCKY (18-5, 7-2 SEC)
vs. No. 1/1 Florida (22-2, 9-0 SEC)
Saturday, February 10 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Rupp Arena (23,000) ? Lexington, Ky.
TV: ESPN
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Kentucky seeks its 400th win at venerable Rupp Arena when it hosts top-ranked and defending national champion Florida Saturday night. In their 31st year at Rupp, the Wildcats are 399-49 (.891) in the downtown Lexington facility they call home.
This marks the third time a UK opponent has brought the No. 1 ranking into Rupp Arena. The Wildcats defeated top-ranked Indiana, 69-58, during the 1979-80 season. The most recent No. 1 to visit the Bluegrass was Florida in February 2003. UK used a blistering defensive attack to down the Gators, 70-55, in the Wildcats last matchup with a top-ranked foe.
In SEC play, Kentucky and Florida are either first or second in scoring offense, scoring defense, field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense.
For the second time, UK hosts ESPN?s College GameDay at Rupp Arena. The show originated from Lexington in conjunction with the Cats? win over Mississippi State in Feb. 2005.
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES – FEB. 9
Head Coach Tubby Smith
Opening:
?While getting ready for the game tomorrow and reflecting back on the South Carolina game, we found a lot of things we did well in that game. Certainly there were some things we didn?t do well, like rebound the ball. That?s something that we need to focus on if we are going to have a chance against a real good Florida team. Their front line is probably the best in college basketball. It?s going to be a great opportunity for us and a great challenge for us as well. They have so much balance. That?s why they?re leading the nation in field goal percentage, and 3-point field goal percentage; they?re leading the league in so many offensive categories. But I?ve been most impressed by their defense. They can block shots and force turnovers; it will be a team that we really need to stay focused against. It should be a great crowd, as I know everyone is requesting tickets. To have the number one team in the country come in to your home floor, I?m sure there will be a lot of deserving hoopla around that.?
On prioritizing what to take away from Florida?
?If you can control the boards, limit second shots, that?s where we have had some issues. But if we can box out and keep (Al) Horford and Joakim Noah from those easy shots, we will have a real shot at beating them. They just cause such a match-up problem with their size and quickness; it will be tough, that?s for sure.?
On shot selection against Florida?
?We kind of reverted back to taking some questionable shots the other night against South Carolina, which really helped them get back into the game. Against a team like Florida, there is no room for error. We need to make the shots we are given, as they are a great defensive team. We just need to get the ball both inside and out, and get everyone involved. It will be a real premium to have them play the entire court, and for us to find the open man.?
On motivation due to Florida?s winning streak against UK?
?Whether a team beats you, no matter one, two or five times in a row, it should give you inspiration to reach down and play harder and practice harder. But for some guys it will be up to the coaches to show them that we are doing our part to put together a good game plan, and for the players to go out an execute it, and give it their all.?
On how much UK?s defense can corrupt Florida?s offense?
?We have been playing solid defense, not so much in this last game, but as recently as Tennessee and Arkansas. Hopefully we can find that defensive formula for tomorrow, and go out and execute it. We can?t give up uncontested shots, and have those mental break downs that lead to those easy points.?
On team staying focused against Florida, with all the hype surrounding the game?
?The players just need to realize that the game is played between the lines. It?s not played on television. It?s UK vs. Florida. That?s how I block it out, so I hope they follow my approach and they maximize their efforts.?
On what Joakim Noah brings to the game?
?He brings an attitude. His energy level is high, and he?s a real leader, being able to communicate with teammates. He?s like Ramel for us, where he has that infectious type of enthusiasm that can inspire a team to play.?
On Florida?s ability to pass in the front court?
?They kind of remind me of some of the teams we have had in the past, with Chuck (Hayes), and Jules (Camara). They all have great hands and vision. Their coaches do a great job of coaching them, and they have fun playing together. They have a consistent lineup and because they have been together for awhile, they are able to read where each other will be, and that makes a huge difference.?
On what Florida does defensively?
?They are physical. They fight their way through screens, and will really come after you when they trap. Their willingness to fight for the ball and lay their bodies on the floor is huge, and really brings a lot of enthusiasm and momentum to their side. They will take charges and are excellent rebounders.?
Kentucky Players
#13 Bobby Perry, F
On the opportunity to show Kentucky?s talent?
?Every time you come out on the court is an opportunity to show how much you have improved from the previous games. When you play a great team like Florida on this stage, at home with College Game Day, it turns into a great opportunity.?
On gaining validation as a Top 25 team?
?We?ve played some great teams earlier in the season, like North Carolina and Memphis and didn?t capitalize. This is an opportunity to get a great game under our belts. Right now we?re playing well and have improved a lot since the beginning of the season.?
On losing four straight to Florida?
?I haven?t really thought a lot about that. That should motivate us to go out and play the best basketball we can play. It?s important for us to concentrate on the execution of this game, instead of focusing on the past. They?re still the great team they were last year, but we?re a better team too. We just have to match their intensity. They are a good balanced team, on offense and defense. We will have to bring our ?A? game.?
On Florida?s most dangerous weapon?
?Florida has a team full of great players and they can hit you hard in many ways. I think in this game the three-point shot is a dangerous shot to allow them to have.?
#33 Randolph Morris, C
On the pressure of the Florida game?
?They are a great team. This game will be a great opportunity to show how good we are against the number one team in the nation. I have been waiting for this game for a full year. The pressure is not on us to win, but the pressure is on us to play to our potential.?
On the appreciation of a team of Florida?s caliber?
?They are a great team when it comes to looking at the bigger picture. They don?t focus on individual stats or accolades. They just want to play as team and that is why they are ranked number one. They are a dominant team.?
On the hype surrounding the game?
?The Commonwealth is ready for this game. Every time I have been out this week I have heard encouragement coming from the fans. They want us to be prepared. If someone doesn?t feel the importance of the game, the fans are making sure they know. The fans are making sure we?re ready.?
On the U of L rivalry versus the Florida rivalry?
?Over the last five to six seasons, Florida has felt like more of rivalry for us than Louisville. Louisville has always been a rival of ours and I don?t know about the full intensity of that rivalry or those games. But from my perspective, Florida?s intensity in the past few years has been enough to establish a new, tough rivalry.?
On the EA Sports commercial featuring Florida?s Joakim Noah dunking numerous times on Randolph Morris?
?I have seen it numerous times. I think it is a really funny commercial. I have to have fun with it and laugh at it. I?m not looking forward to that in real life though. The good thing about that commercial is that Perry (Stevenson) gets him back for me.?
#32 Joe Crawford, G
On looking forward to playing Florida?
?We?ve been talking about this game since last summer. I feel like we are well prepared, and we?re going to have an intense practice today. Everyone will be up to the challenge, and this is a chance for us to get back on top.?
On the hype before the game?
?There?s going to be a lot more energy in the gym on Saturday than ever before. College Gameday will be here, and all eyes will be on us. It?s a tremendous opportunity.?
On what Kentucky needs to do to beat Florida?
?Florida is a very talented team, so it?s going to come down to the little things. We have to box out more, rebound more, grab the loose balls, and do everything to pull this game out.?
