Kentucky-Louisville Postgame Quotes
KENTUCKY BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
#20 KENTUCKY VS. #18 LOUISVILLE
HISTORIC MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
NOVEMBER 16, 2024
Head Coach Kenny Brooks
On the team’s performance four games into the season …
“We had a heck of a week. But you know, with the additions to our family and that’s the way we recruited. We recruit family and, you know, the kids that we’re bringing in, we’re extremely excited about, they fit the mold and what we want at the University of Kentucky. But just as important, we had a really good week on the floor. I thought, leading into the couple of games we played last week, we didn’t have good practices. We didn’t, we kind of just mulled around through it. Our preparation this week was a lot better, a lot better. They executed better, but it’s all in part, they’re learning each other, they’re learning me, I’m learning them, we’re learning each other, I’m learning my coaching staff, and everything is a learning process and why you can continue to work through it. That’s going to build something that can be very, very special here. So, what I’ve learned about this group. I’m very proud of them, and even when it wasn’t very pretty, they kept fighting, and they found a way and we’ll continue and use that as momentum.”
On free throws …
“It’s part of the process of learning each other. We shot zero free throws at halftime. We talked about that. I think our aggression, we allowed them to be the aggressors, and we were playing on our heels a lot, even our offenses, they were just trying to push us out. That’s something that we’ll continue to get better at. We’re a free-flowing offense, and Jeff’s [Walz] played me you know forever, he knows what we do, and he’s going to try and push us out and take us out of rhythm. But I thought we got downhill a little bit better in the second half, we attacked it even when the play would look like it was a broken play. I think Amelia had a couple of layups in that stretch. We hit a couple of other people on the run to the basket. But it’s a learning process in order for us to put the ball on the floor, all these kids are playing a new situation, for her, she’s learning them, none of these other players really played in the same role that they had last year, so it was something that we were very cautious about, and we wanted to get to the free throw line. And other than the two we missed right at the end of regulation; I thought we handled ourselves very well.”
On the number of turnovers in the game…
“I understand and I realize that it is game four. We’ve had a scrimmage game against quality opponents but part of it is learning each other. I put them in positions several times and probably five of those turnovers were me just because I called a play which I knew they were going to do certain things but when you can win while you learn, that’s a really good thing.”
On Coach Brooks’ first time playing Louisville at Kentucky…
“I’ve said this before, Jeff doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. He has been a pioneer in that league, he was always somebody I looked to for advice. He talks all the time so he’s going to give you a nugget somewhere but all the stuff that he talks about is to grow the game, to better the game so I’ve always had so much respect for him. They were the last team that we beat in the ACC, we beat all the other ones, and they were the last team we beat, and I think we’ve beaten them a couple of times now. But we understand the intensity that the team is going to bring, and it was different when it was red and maroon and orange but now it’s just red and blue. The intensity level is different, and the fan base is different. We played them in a championship game in the ACC and atmosphere rivaled that or probably even surpassed that because of what was at stake.”
On physical condition of players…
“This young lady right here (Georgia Amoore), she works as hard as anyone. She’s conditioned, she’s going to get help, we’re going to have to play some other players, but I’ve seen her do it. She is able to execute through the fatigue. You can look at her numbers right now and they don’t do her justice. A few of the turnovers were mine, may be fatigue but to play 45 minutes in this type of game with this intensity where they are going to pick you up full court all the time. Probably the biggest nightmare she probably had was Kalyn Williams is probably the best defender in the ACC, when she was at Miami, she picked her up full court all the time. Then you put her with this team who does it all the time, it was probably a nightmare for her, but she handled it extremely well. She had a couple of big shots for us, we had a couple of mishaps in the game where we weren’t on the same page, the whole group. But playing 45 minutes with this intensity, this type of game, it’s remarkable.”
Player Quotes
#3, Georgia Amoore, G, Gr.
On playing Louisville…
“I think it was really good for our team tonight to play a quality opponent. You know, it’s an instate rival, but I think that games like this early in the season can really teach us a lot but also show what we’re capable of. And I think, you know, over time, in a tough situation like that, we really locked in and got good plays, some good offensive rebounds, you know, Amelia has to me, prove something that she hadn’t proved in the earlier game. She had been a great winner tonight, and that’s infectious. So now we know what to build off of, and it’s always a great win when you beat Louisville. But yeah, super proud of the girls tonight and a lot more to build off for sure, but I’m glad we played a quality opponent this early”
On the biggest thing about the atmosphere tonight…
“Honestly, that the people show out. You know, I think we’ve had early games, and the crowds are trickling in, but tonight it was, it was loud, and they bought great energy. And, you know, it’s what was advertised to me, that big blue nation was, and I think it was great that it came tonight, but we’re going to need that when we come conference time too”
On the turnovers…
“You know, it’s not always great when your point guard has eight turnovers, but I think, you know, team-wise, I think probably just a bit of panic. And we’ve talked this week about being aware. I think we knew that they were going to come at us, but we didn’t really know how hard they were going to, and I think a couple of them were, you know, travels, or just being sped up by their intensity and defense, which is something we can easily control, so that’s something that will definitely get used to.”
