Jan. 4, 2009
Kentucky Head Coach Billy Gillispie
On Jodie Meeks’ game play…
“It was a good game, he is a good player. He’s got to learn how to play a little bit better and not have six unforced turnovers. He tried too hard and forced some of those turnovers. He played great in a lot of areas, but he has to learn when to go and when to whoa. He is really a good player, and he does a lot of good things for us. And I wouldn’t want to play without him. He really gave us a chance to come back. It was pretty fantastic at the end to get the game tied. And I’m proud of all our effort but especially with what Jodie was able to do.”
On the last game possession…
“I thought Mike (Porter) did ok. I knew Sosa wasn’t going to pass it. I don’t mean that bad. He killed us when we played him two years ago. He wanted to take the last shot and that’s why he probably made it. You know, when you think about the entire possession, if you would settle for a 24-foot jumper with no pass, you would take your chances. If Mike (Porter) would’ve gotten too much closer, he would’ve tried and driven. But that wasn’t the story of the game, he made a big play to end the game, but that wasn’t the story of the game.”
On the most important thing of the game…
“I thought our transition defense was terrible and they were tougher than us in the lane.”
On Kentucky’s turnovers…
“They had good pressure on us, but not to disrespect their pressure because it is good. I think it was more so us playing a little but nervous. I think our discipline was very good today and that is 100% on the coach. I don’t think that we had great discipline offensively and defensively. We missed assignments right down to the last time where Perry (Stevenson) threw it away down two or three. And you can’t do those types of things on a really good team’s home court. We had 14 turnovers in the first half and Jodie had three I think in the first minute. And before we ever got a shot, once we stopped turning the ball over and getting the ball inside we played pretty well.”
Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening Statement…
“First and foremost, I want to congratulate Kentucky. They played a terrific game. They are very tough to guard. We are proud of our guys getting the victory. Coming out of our last timeout, the thing we said we were going to do is switch and not foul the jump shot. We didn’t switch and we fouled the jump shot. It’s good to be in this tight game. We needed it badly. We’ve been practicing great. I am really happy for Edgar Sosa because it’s been very difficult on him and he got an opportunity to be a hero, which he was.”
On end of the game…
“No because I am afraid of them trapping. We were going to go at six seconds. We were going to have Will (Scott) set the pick. They usually trap the pick and roll and then pop back. Edgar waved off the pitch and got it out and made a big shot. We didn’t want to give them the ball back. Obviously, we didn’t have a low post game with Samardo (Samuels) and Earl (Clark) on the bench. It had to be a Wisconsin-Marquette type game, type of finish and it was. They did a great job of getting in the press. Earl panicked a little bit there and he shouldn’t have because we had a timeout. That’s okay; it was a dramatic finish for the fans. I want to congratulate Kentucky. They never quite, being down nine, being down 10. Another big thing was our guys made free throws.”
On starting Edgar Sosa …
“We had a long talk. I said `Edgar, if I were you I would transfer now. I wouldn’t wait because you need a year under another coach to learn his system. I really think you should. The fans aren’t too happy with you. More importantly if you are not happy with yourself, you’re not having fun. I really think we’ll look at some schools that don’t play any defense. There aren’t too many, but there are a few I can pick out. Then, we’ll get you to transfer. I want you to think it over son. If you decide to come back, I am going to start you, but I want you to be happy and have fun playing the game of basketball. It’s painful watching you.’ He said to me, `Coach, I just feel that I am on a short leash. Everyone else is on a long leash and I am on a short one.’ I said, `Edgar, the reason you are on a short leash is because every time you miss a shot, you get so down on yourself. I feel that you’re not an up beat, positive guy. All I want you to do is play defense. I don’t care what else you do, but play defense.’ He decided to stay and I am happy he made that choice.”
On why Kentucky is difficult to guard…
“Very rarely do you see that at the college game, because of egos that people understand their role. The Kentucky kids know exactly where their bread is buttered. (Michael) Porter knows what to do and exactly how to get people the ball. They go high-low and they know they to get (Patrick) Patterson the ball. They take incredibly high percentage shots. We wanted to get in our press and we thought our press could work against them. We had to shoot a good percentage. That was the key. We did shoot a good percentage. I think Kentucky knows their roles. You won’t find two better players than (Jodie) Meeks and Patterson. If the other players don’t understand their role, then they are not able to be as good as they are. The players are great on defense and they rebound the ball really well. They are extremely well coached. I think they are a hell of a basketball team and I would really be shocked if they are not in the thick of the SEC race.”
On George Goode’s play…
“I didn’t say anything to you guys because we didn’t have the opportunity, but George Goode has a stress fracture. He hasn’t practiced in four days. The only reason I didn’t play Terrence Jennings a little bit more in that situation is because he has a very time tough against pressure of remembering what we’re supposed to do. And he is a difficult free throw shooter at times. We went with George without practicing for a few days and we’re going to have to do that for a while until his stress fracture heals.”
