Kentucky's Pre-Arkansas Press Conference QUOTES

Kentucky Associate Head Coach Kenny Payne:

On the style and play of Arkansas ...
“I think Arkansas is the type of team that creates a lot of turnovers. They’ve played well against us. It’ll be a great game tomorrow. We have to handle their pressure, keep them off the boards and dominate in rebounds. I think they’re style will be similar to Louisville’s – constant pressure. They’ do a great job on the boards. They’re active. They switch and trap a lot. Their zone is similar to man principles with the way they get after the ball in their zone. We’ve seen it before. We just have to go out there and handle it.”

On the players rising to the challenge ...
“We tell them every game that they’re playing a good team. When they win, they say, ‘I thought you said they were good.’ Tomorrow will be a very good team that will come in here and they’re capable of beating us. We will have to play well to beat them.”

On Arkansas beating UK twice last year and if it motivates ...
“I think our guys will have fire, to answer your question. I just think they have a competitive edge about them. The freshmen know that this team has beaten us twice.”

On if Bobby Portis is the best big man that UK has faced to this point ...
“I wouldn’t rank him. I will say that he is a very good player. I don’t know where he falls in terms of the big guys that we’ve played. We’ll be facing really good players, and he’s one of them. He can really shoot the ball to be that size. He’s good around the basket and can shoot 3s. He’s excellent from the post and shooting turnaround jumpers. He’s a really good player.”

On how opposing players’ performances can affect their NBA draft stock when playing UK ...
“Every guy that comes in that’s a pretty good player in our conference or an opponent that’s not in our conference, if they played well against Kentucky, then they think, ‘I’m a pro.’ (Portis) is really a good player and possibly is.”

On Trey Lyles’s performance against Mississippi State ...
“Trey has all the ability in the world to have an outstanding game and outstanding season. We need Trey at his best. I thought we saw him do the things that we need him to do – the way he attacked the rim and rebounded the ball. There were four or five shots that he passed up and he didn’t feel comfortable shooting them. Trey Lyles is an excellent basketball player, and if you forget about him, then he’ll burn you.”

On Arkansas guard Michael Qualls’ athletic ability ...

“Qualls is very athletic, very fast, very good off the dribble, driving the ball. I haven’t seen him miss a shot in the left corner. He shoots the ball really well from that area. He is a guy that we’re going to have to deal with.”

On Arkansas point guard Anton Beard ...
“He can really shoot the ball. Very smart, very heady. Last game they played Ole Miss, I watched him, and he didn’t miss a shot. He shot it really well.”

On if the team feel the spotlight getting warmer ...
“Not at all. The great thing about coaching these kids, they’re in the moment. They’re not worrying about the spotlight, the heat, the pressure, the perfect season. All of that doesn’t come into play. They want to win every game, of course. They go out and compete. But, we keep this one game at a time.”

On team always being in the spotlight ...
“Yeah, it’s constant. I think this year more than most, there’s been more TV coverage of it. But, I think we do a good job of keeping this in-house and keeping this focused on what we have to do: not looking ahead to people, working on the things we have to do in practice for us, concentrating on us and what makes us a great team. Then, going out and performing against opponents.”

What last season’s sweep of Kentucky means for Arkansas players ...
“They will not be in awe of us. They won’t be intimidated. They’ll come in with some confidence. But, we will, too. We’ll come in knowing that we’re a different team, that we’re going to get after them, just like they’re going to try to get after us.”

On whether depth becomes more of a factor because of Arkansas’ ability to run ...
“I think so. I think this team is a little different. They play a bunch of guys, as well. It will come down to— one of their strategies is that they feel like they are in better condition than us. Well, we’ll see.”

On team’s multiple “X-factors” ...
“We have a lot of X’s. I think that Trey (Lyles) has demonstrated how good he can be for us. We need Trey to play like he played last game to finish this year out. Dakari (Johnson) is big, strong, brings a physical presence to our team. We need him to be that. So, we do have numerous guys that can be X- factors. That’s a good problem to have.”

On whether Arkansas’ unique style of play calls for additional preparation ...
“What it does it, defensively, they’re style is making you play basketball. So, if you think you’re going to just catch the ball, hold the ball, run the offense, set offensive plays, not happening. They will force you to attack. Hopefully, teams that handle it have success. Be strong.”


Freshman forward Trey Lyles:

On how things have been going since he was sick ...
“Just putting in extra work, doing what Coach (Cal) asks me to do and just going out there and trying to execute.”

On what it was like having someone checking his weight and making him eat ...
“I wouldn’t say they were force-feeding me. I was eating regular food and stuff like that. But they were making sure that I was maintaining my weight and just staying at a weight where I’d be able to play on it.”

On what Cal means by calling him the X-factor ...
“Just that if I go out there and do what he’s asking me to do, I’m just going to help the team out overall and just, you know, push us to be able to win more games.”

On how that makes him feel or if it puts more weight on him ...
“No not really, ‘cause I’ve heard coaches say, you know, other players are X-factors. But we all just gotta go out there and play together. And, you know, if we’re all playing well with one another, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be winning.”

On if playing a ranked opponent changes anything about it going into the game ...
“I think there’ll be more energy in the building, but we prepare for every game the same way. You know, guys might have a little more for this game since they lost to them last year, but we’re going to go out there and compete as a team and play with one another and just try to win.”

On if it’s hard trying to take more shots when he’s got other talented teammates to help score too ...
“Definitely. You know, if I see a teammate with a better shot than me I’m going to give him the ball. But, you know, all those wide-open shots, I had to take those, so I’m just trying to do whatever (Coach Cal) is asking of me.”

On if Cal is trying to get him to be more aggressive ...
“Yeah, I’d say he just wants me to be more aggressive.”

On if he can sense this game is personal for some of the veterans since Arkansas has won three of last four matchups ... “Definitely. You know, nobody wants to lose to them again – the players or the coaches – so they’ve been talking about it the past couple days and everybody’s pretty much getting energized for it. I think they definitely remember. They talk about it quite a lot now since the game is coming up, so I think they’re going to have a little bit more energy and passion going out there tomorrow night.”

On the challenge Arkansas presents ...
“They come out and play hard all the time, very aggressive offensively and defensively, so we’re just going to have to match and exceed their energy and their aggression, and just go out there and play with one another.”

On Arkansas having one McDonalds All-American compared to UK’s nine ...
“I don’t think that really matters. Just gotta go out there and compete and just, you know, go out there and play harder than they do.”

On if he knows Bobby Portis at all ...
“I played against him a couple times when we were younger, but I don’t know him personally.”

On his thoughts on Portis’ game ...
“No, I haven’t got a chance to watch him play, so I can’t comment on that.”

On watching film on Arkansas ...
“We have watched a couple clips and we’re going to watch some more today, but not too many. Highlights, ESPN, stuff like that, but, no, I haven’t watched too much film on them. Coach (Cal) is definitely going to have us watch them today and tomorrow and before the game starts.”

On where he feels like he’s come the farthest this season in his development ...
“Probably just playing hard all the time throughout the whole game, not taking breaks or stuff like that.”

On how much the Indiana schools were in the mix for his recruitment ...
“Yeah, they were. At an early age (I) committed to IU, of course, but I had IU and Purdue looking at me when I was in eighth grade and stuff like that. So they were around for a while.”

On if he feels like the attention is getting crazier ...
“I think more people are looking into it. Like Coach (Cal) says, it’s outside clutter that we need to push to the side and just worry about what we can control and go out there and play our hardest all the time.”

On if he feels like being undefeated isn’t as dramatic at UK as it is at other places ...
“Somewhat, but we really try not to pay attention. Coach (Cal) tries to keep us away from that kind of stuff and we just gotta go out there and compete. Any given day is somebody else’s day, so we just gotta go out there and make sure that if we’re out there playing, we’re playing to the best of our abilities.”

On if he feels like this team rises to the challenge when they hear a game is a marquee matchup ...
“Definitely. You know, when we hear that a team is going to challenge us, you know, could beat us, in some aspects we take it personally. We want to go out there and show those people who said that differently and just go out there and compete.”

On if anything stands out from what he’s watched on Arkansas ...
“They just play with a lot of energy, very aggressive offensively, defensively.”

On if it feels differently playing in a marquee matchup ...
“I just think there’s more energy from the crowd and from the team, and, you know, we just try to go out there and make a statement every time we play ranked opponents, and stuff like that.”

On if he feels the buzz surrounding this game and that Arkansas is one of the teams that could get them ... “Definitely. You know, that, and then guys talking about the two losses that they took last year. You know for us there’s a lot more energy and passion that’s going to be in this game, I think.”


Freshman guard Devin Booker:

On playing a top-25 team and if it feels like a big deal ...
“I wouldn’t say it’s a big deal. Every game we’re playing against ourselves. So, I think Arkansas, we know they’re going to bring it. We just have to go out there and be more focused and I’d say come out to a better start.”

On if their style is one that can challenge Kentucky ...
“I guess we’ll see tomorrow.”

On his relationship with Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson, who was the head coach at Missouri and recruited Booker at a younger age ... “He was recruiting me. I was really young then, so it wasn’t really heavy, but I made a visit up to Columbia when he was coaching there. I met the coaching staff and everything, but he ended up going to Arkansas and he recruited me a little bit there, but kind of fell off.”

On what he thought of Coach Anderson ...
“It was a long time ago. I don’t really remember. But I know he was a cool guy. I was so young, I don’t think he was on me that hard. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.”

On if it would benefit him, personally, if Arkansas chose to run against Kentucky ...
“I feel like our team can adjust to any type of playing style with so many different types of weapons that we have. I feel like it will be good for us and a good challenge for us.”

On Arkansas potentially trapping and pressing ...
“I’m sure Coach will prepare us for whatever they’re doing. That’s their job. They study on how they’ll play, so they’ll just let us know. They’ve done a good job of every game getting us prepared for each opponent.”

On if UK’s depth comes in handy if Arkansas decides to play fast ...
“Yeah, like I said, I feel like we can slow it down or we can play fast paced. With so many weapons that we have, we can just adjust to any type of game play. I think it will be a good challenge for us because we haven’t really played an up-tempo game like they play in a while.”

On if he’s gotten to see Arkansas play much ...
“Not yet. We usually watch film today or the day of the game so I haven’t seen much, but I’ve watched a little bit, highlights on TV. They’re having a great season. I think they’re second in the SEC or whatever, so I’m sure they’ll come out and try to prove a point.”

On how aware they are of the perception by many is that Arkansas is the team that can challenge UK ...
“We’re aware. Every game we know that we’re going to get a team’s best. They’re going to come in and try to beat us. We just have to, like I said, prepare for that game and play against ourselves each and every game.”

On if they can feel the attention continuing to grow as the season progresses ...
“I don’t know about that, because when you first get to Kentucky the spotlight is on you. That’s the reason a lot of us came here is to be on that big stage. I kind of see what you’re talking about, how it’s become more and more each and every game we win, but we just have to focus on what’s at hand, and that’s to get a win.”

On if he thinks the older guys remember that Arkansas beat them twice last year ...
“I think they remember it most definitely, but we’re a whole different team this year. ... That’s what we’re going to focus on.”

On if it’s human nature to want a little revenge ...
“Yeah, exactly.”

On if it feels different on the court in games like this ...
“I think everybody else makes it a bigger game for us and it’s like, I don’t know why it is, but we lock in when we hear that. Like, all the big games we come out and perform, and that’s what we’re going to try to do tomorrow. But, like I said, we need to take every game with an approach like that, that we’re going to go in and just get them out of the way.”

On how fun it is to play in a game where the tempo is up and down ...
“It’s fun. With our team, I feel like we have so many different weapons that we can adjust to any type of playing style. I know Arkansas is going to bring that up-tempo game and I think it will be a fun little challenge for us.”

On Arkansas wanting to get teams out of patterns they run and just play basketball, more or less ...
“I feel like we have good enough players to play basketball, so it’ll be a good time.” 

Cats Thump Bulldogs 74-56

This game had many levels of emotion for Kentucky fans. In the first half, when Kentucky built a 14 point lead, it was happiness because you were thinking that the Cats were going to destroy an inferior opponent the way they should. Then came the second half which saw Kentucky's lead shrink from 14 down to 2 in a hurry. Now all of a sudden you were filling disappointment and sheer anger to be honest. Then came the final thirteen minutes of the game which saw Kentucky dominate the Bulldogs the way they should have the entire game and all of a sudden, a four point lead turns into a twenty point lead in the blink of an eye and all is right with the world once again.

The reason for the comeback by the Bulldogs is because Kentucky just completely quit playing defense and started settling for outside shots which made no sense at all when you consider that Kentucky's first eight points came inside the paint. It's almost like this team likes to toy with opponents before they show their killer instinct and puts other teams away for good.

You can't talk about this game without talking about the play of Trey Lyles. If there was ever any lingering effects of his bout with strep-throat, they are gone as he set a new career high tonight with eighteen points to go along with six rebounds. To be honest, he made the eighteen points look fairly easy, especially in the first half when he done whatever he wanted to do around the basket at anytime against anyone. This is the version of Trey that Kentucky will need to see from now on if they hope to keep the 40-0 dream alive.

All in all, this was an odd game to watch, but entertaining none the less. Kentucky improves it's history making record to 28-0 and will begin to prepare for Arkansas at Rupp this weekend. 

The Cats will be getting home later than usual from a road game due to inclement weather in Mississippi. Instead of flying home tonight, they will stay in Starkville and fly home tomorrow afternoon after having practice at the Hump to start to prepare for the Razorbacks.

More to come throughout the night...

Kentucky PRE-Mississippi State Press Conference QUOTES

Kentucky Assistant Coach Barry “Slice” Rohrssen:

On Andrew Harrison’s play the last few weeks ...
“He’s really done a tremendous job. He and Coach Cal have a very good relationship. They speak a lot one-on-one. One of the things Cal has told him is he wants him to be aggressive. He’s not worried about Andrew making poor decisions. Andrew is going to do well. He just wants him to play fast, pick up the pace, get everybody involved. The other day he probably tied his career high for assists with nine.”

On Andrew Harrison’s experience as a sophomore helping him ...
“I can only speak for this year being that this is the year I’m here. What I witness on a day-to-day basis is a very good interaction between a head coach and his point guard.”

On if he saw Andrew Harrison much when he was in high school ...
“I saw him a little bit. Very good player. But it’s just good to see him leading this team right now and accepting a lot of the challenges that come along with the demands that are placed on him.”

On if his style of play in high school made him have to adjust when he got to UK ...
“No, just play aggressive. Play fast. Take it to the rim. Shoot when it’s open. Find your teammates, which he is doing right now. He has had a bunch of really good games for us.”

On what has been important in Devin Booker’s development this season ...
“His defense has gotten a lot better, which we might have mentioned earlier. It’s one of the parts of his game where he knew he wanted to work on – needed to work on. So he has stepped up to that. Obviously he puts a lot of time in with his shooting, both before practice and post-practice. Even on game days and shoot arounds he puts in a lot of extra work perfecting his shot. And it’s nice to see that work that he’s putting in be rewarded because he’s really shooting the ball very well.”

On who came up with Karl-Anthony Towns’ “Karlito” nickname ...
”Yeah, I know who came up with it. I think it was me.”

On coming up with the name Karlito ...
“Hey, it’s just, Karl is as good of a guy as you are ever going to want to coach. If they were all like Karl Towns, more people would want to get into coaching. He’s just a wonderful guy and somebody who is as talented as he is and likes to work. He’s doing a lot especially for a freshman. It’s usually a year where you have to transition and learn a lot of things you know being on a college campus for the first time, but he’s doing well.”

On Coach Calipari’s comments about Towns needing to improve physically ...

“Well, he’s maturing, you know, physically, emotionally demands that come along with this. You know, he came in here wide-eyed wanting to learn, which is good and those are some of the things that every player (does), but especially freshmen need to learn. A lot of times (with) post guys, it’s uncomfortable to play low, but the better balance you have, the closer you are to the basket really helps you fortify your position down there. Gives you explosion, gives you some strength. So he’s learning all that day by day.”

On what you have to do to keep his excitement down and focused ...
“Well, he’s a very enthusiastic young man, which you probably already picked up. He has a wonderful personality, very outgoing. But with him, the more you give him the more he absorbs. He’s a sponge in that he wants to get better. He’s always asking you stuff every day, each practice, from game to game. And that’s one of the things about Karl that you just love to coach. It is really across the board with a lot of our guys this year.”

On if it’s difficult to recruit players with a talented team ...
“Well, you know, recruiting is a daily process. Someone once said it’s like shaving: If you miss a day, it gets ugly, so you just keep have to keep on top of it every day.”

On how well the team has stayed focused for each game ...
“This group is so pleasant when you see them come out to practice each day and even in games. It’s amazing that you can get a group of guys on one team that care about each other so much, that like each other so much, that are selfless. We probably have over 400 assists on 700 made field goals – somewhere in that number. Probably goes far to say it’s probably the highest assist average per game during the Calipari era, and that says a lot about these guys.”

On keeping the players engaged ...
“You know, one of the best things that’s been noticeable to myself is just the team building and team bonding. You know, with our group, everybody is being their brother’s keepers and looking out for each other and pulling them along each game.”

On Tyler Ulis playing through pain ...
“Well, a lot of teams at this point in the year are going through a lot of injuries. You know, you get nicked up. Tyler’s a guy that leaves it all out on the floor. I mean, you just love to watch him play. He’s fearless, he’s reckless, he gives it everything he has every minute he’s out on the floor, and you’re going to catch some injuries along the way there. But he’s a fighter, he battles through it and he may go from one injury to another injury, but he still comes back.”

On playing Mississippi State ...
“They look much improved from last year. They have been in a lot of close games and recently beat LSU at home. They have some good inside players there and we have to be ready for a conference road game.”

On focusing on the team more so than the opponents ...

“That goes more so with every team. It starts within and you have to be confident and prepared. There are no stones that are going to be unturned with Coach Cal and Coach Robic and their scouting. In that regard, keeping everything that you need to improve on as a team is always a priority.”

On how the ride has been with this team ...
“Unbelievable. Exceptionally unbelievable and I hope it keeps going. I certainly feel blessed to be here around such a good group of guys, staff, community and fan base.” 

KENTUCKY PLAYERS: 

#2, Aaron Harrison, So., G:

On Andrew Harrison being more aggressive now ...
“He’s just loosening up and starting to play and starting to have fun.”

On if that’s a surprise to him ...
“No, not really.”

On what the 27-0 run has been like ...
“I mean, we’re just excited to get into the tournaments, and excited about just making a run in the postseason. Just getting prepared for that really.”

On if it’s hard staying focused to close out the regular season with no losses ...
“No, I mean we’re playing some top teams. We got Mississippi State and Arkansas up next, and it’s not really hard to get up for games like that.”

On if he remembers last year’s game in Starkville and if he thinks the Bulldogs will give them a tough game Wednesday ... “Yeah, of course they’re going to give us a good game. Played a little sloppy there last year and I don’t think we defended really well, so we have some making up to do.”

On if it seems like March is taking a long time to get here ...
“Definitely. I’m definitely excited for March and just the atmosphere. Just can’t wait for it to get here.”

On how much further along the team is this year compared to March 1, 2014, when they played South Carolina ... “Oh yeah, we’re much further along. We bought in a lot earlier this year, and it’s just a lot easier.”

On what his predictions are for this year ...
“I mean, it’s been a great story so far, so we’ll see.”

On if it feels good to have a good game alongside his brother ...
“Yeah, I guess so. I’ve been a little inconsistent lately and just gotta work on that really. He’s been playing well for the last month now really. Just gotta get myself together.”

On what’s helped him find that comfort zone ...
“You just gotta come into every game with energy really. If you bring the energy I think everything else takes care of itself, so if you have that, that’s the biggest thing.”

On why Coach Cal is emphasizing for he and Andrew to drive to the basket more ...
“Because we’re big guards and just our ability to get in the lane is a big thing.”

On what that does for the team ...
“It just creates shots for other guys and just really helps us be a more aggressive team.”

On if he sees the relationship between Andrew and Cal ...
“Yeah of course. Obviously it gets rough sometimes, but they always go to each other. If Coach (Cal) wants to know something about the team he goes to Andrew. If Andrew has a question it’s easy to approach Coach (Cal). So it’s a good relationship.”

On if that’s something that’s grown ...
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, every relationship grows with time, so.”

On how much this season has followed his initial vision for it ...
“Yeah, I mean, no one would ever expect us to be 27-0, really, and having a good time really, just being on the best team in the country and just going out winning games. Just been fun really.”

On what kind of mentality it takes for him to go get his own on the court ...
“It’s just, you just have to be aggressive really. Just be in attack mode really, that’s what (Coach Cal) says.”

On if it’s hard to do that with so many talented players on the team ...
“It is really tough to do that sometimes with so many guys on the floor, so much talent.”

On what it does for the team to have a smaller player like Tyler Ulis come in and hold his own and if that motivates the team ... “I mean, I don’t think it’s motivating because we know what he can do. He’s here for a reason and of course he’s a great player, so we expect that out of him.”

On what Ulis contributes to the mix of personalities ...
“Just a great team player, a great point guard and he’s just a great kid.”

On what Andrew is doing differently ...
“He’s just playing more loose really, being more aggressive, just doing his thing really.”

On if it’s tough to stay loose with all of the talent around him ...
“Yeah, of course it’s tough to stay loose, but you just gotta have enough confidence to do that and I think he’s just building it, just doing his thing, like I said.”

On if he thinks Andrew is having more fun ...
“Yeah, definitely.”

On how Karl-Anthony Towns’ enthusiasm rubs off on the team ...
“Karl’s a real, like, outwardly guy. He’s real outspoken, so we feed off it sometimes, get a little laugh out of it, of course, sometimes. But it’s fun to be around.”

On if they have to rein Towns in sometimes ...
“I mean, yeah, of course. He’s a young kid. Just, he has so much emotion playing the game and sometimes we have to calm him down a little bit, but, I mean, I think that’s a good thing.”

#5, Andrew Harrison, So., G :

On how he’s been playing the last few weeks ...
“I’m playing a little better. Just getting back to my old self.”

On Calipari constantly telling him to drive the ball ...
“I mean, that’s exciting. I feel like I’m the best player on the court when I’m doing that, so it’s fun.”

On if he was upset at Marcus Lee for dropping a pass in the first half that could have given him 10 assists instead of nine ... “It was a tough pass. Tough catch. I wasn’t mad at him.”

On how in control he felt ...
“I mean, that’s how I’m supposed to be playing. That’s how I should have been playing all year. I just struggled a little bit in there right in the middle.”

On why he struggled ...
“I have no idea. I mean, it’s all on me though. It’s about having confidence in yourself and remembering how good you are.”

On having his dad in town and if that helped ...
“Yeah, I think it’s helped some. Anytime you put extra work in it’s going to pay off.”

If his slump could be compared to that of a baseball player ...
“Yeah, all great players go through slumps, no matter who you are. It just shows what kind of person and man you are to persevere and get through it.”

On if he’s having more fun now ...
“I’m trying to. Trying to get better as a team and as a player every day.”

On why he wasn’t as aggressive earlier in the season ...
“I’m not sure how to answer that. I have no idea.”

On why it’s hard to be aggressive all the time ...
“Because you have to be in attack mode. You can’t relax at any point in the game. Even when you do throw the ball ahead or anything like that, you still have to be ready to get the ball back and attack. In that way, it is really hard to play that way.”

On if it’s easier to deal with Coach Cal being in his second year in the system ...
“Yeah. Sometimes you don’t feel like it, but you know he’s not going to change. He does what he thinks is best for you, so that’s all you can ask for.”

On Coach Rohrssen saying Andrew Harrison and Coach Cal have a good relationship ...
“I do think we have good communication between each other. It’s just understanding. I feel like he trusts me more and wants me to be a leader.”

On what tells him that Coach Cal trusts him more ....
“I mean, just telling me to make plays – plays I can make. I’m trying to do it.”

On if there has been a moment or a situation this year where Coach Cal listened to his thought or belief ... “Yeah, sometimes. Small things. When I think someone on my team has a mismatch or something like that. That’s all a part of knowing the game of basketball, really.”

On playing for a coach who always wants him to attack and doesn’t mind if he turns it over ...
“It’s exciting, like I said, but at the same time you have to stay focused throughout the game and stay in attack mode the whole game.”

On if he maybe he turns it over less when he plays where he doesn’t care if he turns it over ...
“That’s just how I used to play. Kind of with a reckless abandon. Playing as hard as I can.”

On how much he tries to sell the calls with the referees ...
“I just play basketball.”

On his relationship with Coach Cal and how it’s grown ...
“I just think we’re starting to trust each other more. He believes in my ability and I just have to go out there and play.”

On how his game has changed from last year ...
“I think I’m just playing with more speed, finding people I wouldn’t have found last year.”

On if he thought he’d finally hit that 10 assists number on Saturday ...
“I thought I had it, but I just missed it. It’s not really about that. We’re just trying to get better as a team and me as a player.”

On what we should make of him shooting more accurately from 3-point range than his brother, Aaron ... “Not much. You see when he gets on a roll he can pretty much do whatever he wants. He’s just struggling from shooting right now, but when we need a big shot, he’ll make it. So, I’m not worried about it.”

On if he saw his Sports Illustrated for Kids cover with he and his brother ...
“Yeah, I saw it. It was pretty funny.”

On if he liked the cover ...
“Yeah, I liked it. It’s different.”

On if he got SI for Kids when he was little ...
“Oh, definitely. I can remember getting those. Excited to get them.”

On how much further along he and his brother are now, than this time last year ...
“Having confidence, really. When you have people who have been there before you can’t really go wrong as long as you stay hungry and have confidence in yourself.”

On if it seems like March cannot come soon enough ...
“I’m just enjoying being a college student right now and taking it one game at a time. Just having fun with it.”

On what Tyler Ulis adds to the team ...
“He’s a great kid. His personality fits in with everyone else’s. He brings a lot of defensive intensity to the game and puts pressure on the ball.”

On if he ever thinks about what it would be like to play at that size ...
“He has his advantages. He’s quick and low to the ground and stuff. He takes what he has.”

On it being a difficult trip at Mississippi State last year ...
“I’m not sure how their record reflects how good they are, because they’re pretty good. They have guards who can drive the ball, stuff like that, so it’s going to be a tough game.”

On what it’s like to be part of such a special season ...
“It’s fun. Like I said, you have to take it one game at a time, or anybody can be beat. It’s not like we’re so cocky or anything like that. We just believe in ourselves and we work hard or harder than anyone in the country.”

On if he will be reflective on this season at the end of the year ...
“As long as we finish it the right way. Like I said, we’re just taking it one game at a time and enjoying ourselves right now.”

On what his process has been like in developing into a floor leader ...
“It’s just basketball, really. It’s up and down, and as a man you’re going to go through some struggles. It’s how you struggle, the great players, how you get through it and persevere.”

On how hard the low points were to figure out ...
“It was tough, but being able to keep that confidence in yourself, just praying and stuff like that, it’s not bad. I got through it.”

On if there was a certain point he knew he’d found it ...
“Yeah, I think so. Just listening to coach and making sure I’m pushing the ball up the court and stuff like that.” 

OFFICIAL Final Kentucky vs. Auburn Box-Score

Kentucky POUNDS Auburn 110-75

Another night, another impressive performance from the CATS as they push their best start in school history to 27-0 after a 110-75 win over Bruce Pearl and Auburn.

This game was never in doubt as the Cats raced out to a 34-4 lead and never looked back. Auburn didn't see a shot fall until there was a little over 8:00 minutes left in the game. The defense Kentucky played in the first half was the best we've seen all season long. I'm going to get on board with Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio here, if Kentucky plays like they played tonight, NO ONE in the country is going to beat this team... NO ONE.

The second half, the Cats started a little slow, allowing Auburn to score four straight points prompting Cal to call a quick timeout and put in the Blue Platoon. Then things began going the way they went in the first half. Auburn had no answer for whatever Kentucky wanted to do and to Bruce Pearl's credit, he saw it coming. Before the start of the game, he too ESPN that he told his team that it would take a "super human effort" to win this game and you could tell by the tone in his voice that he knew what was coming.

The game was great, as all Kentucky wins are, but the night was really about what happened at halftime. Finally, Tony Delk saw his jersey raised in the rafters for retirement among other Kentucky greats, exactly where it should be. Here are a few pictures from halftime if you didn't get to see it live....

Congratulations to Tony Delk, I can't think of a player that deserves it more. He is a great ambassador for the University of Kentucky and a great person to boot. I've had the pleasure of speaking with Tony on several occasions and he couldn't have been more pleasant. 

Tomorrow Night's Game Against Auburn is Still On Despite Upcoming Weather

Despite the winter storm advisories being sent out by the Weather Channel, tomorrow night's game against Auburn is still a go.

Here is a statement released by the UK Athletic Department for fans who are worried about tomorrow night's game being canceled or postponed...

" Despite the threat of inclement weather, the Kentucky-Auburn game is still scheduled as planned for a 7 p.m. tip in Rupp Arena on Saturday.

Fans are encouraged to use extreme caution when driving to the arena and while walking into the facility.

Conditions are not ideal, with several streets in the area still snow-covered from Monday’s storm and more inclement weather anticipated on Saturday. Parking is limited in the downtown area due to snow piles, so fans are encouraged to arrive early with time to park and walk into the arena.

More information will be released as needed prior to the game. The contest will air live on ESPN at 7 p.m. with Mark Jones, Sean Farnham and Kaylee Hartung on the call."

Kentucky To Wear NEW Uniforms Tomorrow Night Against Auburn

 As one jersey goes into the Rupp Arena rafters on Saturday for Tony Delk’s jersey retirement, the current Wildcats will don a new jersey for their game against Auburn.

Kentucky is one of eight teams – and one of just six men’s teams – selected by Nike to wear its new Hyper Elite uniforms. The Wildcats will wear new uniforms on Saturday that fuse progressive, premium materials with school heritage.

The uniform will feature a white base with blue lettering and a 26-degree speed graphic of an evolved checkerboard across the side of the game shorts. The 26-degree angle of the graphic was inspired by the chevron on the classic Nike Windrunner track jacket that debuted in 1978. The graphic represents a distinctive basketball point of view, based on the roughly 1,000 directional changes, or "cuts" that a player might make in the course of a game.

More details of the jerseys from Nike are below:

Nike Hyper Elite JerseyA flocked lining at the inside of the neck allows the athlete to comfortably wipe excess moisture from the face. Ultra-lightweight stretch mesh in the back of the jersey serves to regulate the temperature of the player along the spine, where athletes tend to heat up the most. Redeveloped lightweight sphere fabric in the front of the jersey helps maintain a comfortable body temperature by wicking moisture while eliminating cling from excess sweat.  

Nike Hyper Elite Shorts
A perforated, vented waistband in the Nike Hyper Elite shorts provides a level of cooling, while maintaining the comfort and security that athletes require. A new performance flex vent placed by the knee allows the game short to naturally flex when the player moves. The addition of a flocked "wipe zone" at either hip allows a comfortable spot to dry hands as sweat builds up. The continuation of performance perforated zones at the side of the short allows the moisture management properties of the Nike Pro Combat Hypercool shorts or Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong shorts worn underneath to work together as a complete system.

Hyper Elite CollectionEach school’s collection will feature the Nike Hyper Elite  jersey and short, Nike Elite sock, Nike Shooting Shirt and the Nike Hyper Elite Vest. The vests sleeveless design allows for full range of motion while providing reduced weight for pre-game warm-ups. The women's Hyper Elite uniform features a slimmer silhouette in both the jersey and short. More women's specific basketball products will make their debut starting in August. Additionally, the 26-degree speed graphic on the short depicts an evolved take on an iconic symbol or representation of each team.