University of Georgia Athletics
SEC Coaches' Teleconference Quotes: January 17th, 2007
January 18, 2007 | Men's Basketball
(On upcoming game with Kentucky)
“We’re coming off of a good victory over Alabama. We may have played our best game of the season. We’re getting ready to play a good Kentucky team, and they look to be a team without weaknesses. They look like Tubby’s kind of team. They defend and play roles very well. They have great players and we have a huge task ahead of us. Going to Rupp is never an easy proposition. We feel good about how we played last night and we hope that we can continue it.”
(On high number of assists against Alabama)
“We moved the ball and hit the open guy. We did a good job of executing offense and shooting the basketball last night. It was a good night offensively for us. At halftime we had 15 assists and two turnovers and that was pleasing.”
(On improvement of defense)
“The energy of it improved. We didn’t play with defensive energy against Georgia on Saturday. We didn’t have that edge that you need on the road in this league to win. It was much more of a mentality than anything else.”
FLORIDA HEAD COACH BILLY DONOVAN
(On upcoming game with Ole Miss)
“We’ve had this week off and had a chance to watch. Ole Miss is one of those teams that has good returning players. They’re experienced and talented. They’ve played well enough in every conference game to be undefeated right now. I like the team a lot and I think it will be a great challenge for us on Saturday afternoon.”
(On Lee Humphrey)
“Being a senior, Lee is a terrific shooter and great kid. He’s one of those kids that’s so well rounded and you’ll never have a problem with him. I think for us he’s one of those guys who’s just taking what the defense gives him. It happened to be Lee’s night (against South Carolina). He got some good wide open looks. He’s reliable and what goes unnoticed is that he’s a reliable defender. He’s really having a good year, and I’m happy for him. He deserves it; he’s a great kid.”
SOUTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH DAVE ODOM
(On upcoming game against Tennessee)
“We’re heading up to Knoxville on Saturday to play a Tennessee team that I’m sure will be glad to get back home. I’m amazed at how well they’ve done this year. Their defense is as good as last year. Their returning players have all improved and have stepped up. Their team is every bit as good as they were last year this time. There’s no doubt that they’ll be ready (Saturday) night and we have a lot of work to do to restore confidence in defense. We took yesterday off and it was much needed. I look forward to seeing our team today at four o’clock.”
GEORGIA HEAD COACH DENNIS FELTON
(On upcoming game against Alabama)
“It’s a match-up we’re looking forward to. They’re a top 10 team with a lot of tremendous players. I have a tremendous amount of respect for guys like Steele, Davidson, Hendrix, and Gee. They’re a legitimate final four threat. They do a lot of good things that tend to give you headaches as you prepare for them.”
(On the SEC)
“I’m not just playing some party line, but I don’t think its close. I think the SEC is the most powerful basketball conference in the country. I’m basing it on the level of basketball being played in our league compared to the others. It’s a brutally strong conference right now. There’re so many great players and coaches. The ability level of the players is just really strong. It’s especially tough for all of our teams. There’s no doubt that Florida is the best in the country, but they’re teams nipping at their heels.”
LSU HEAD COACH JOHN BRADY
(On upcoming game against Arkansas)
“I think the most positive thing about our team is that we’re trying to defend hard and rebound the ball. Offensively we don’t have the timing that I’d like. Terry Martin is giving us a little more of a threat in the perimeter. Tasmin Mitchell is consistent. Hopefully we can find a rhythm on offense and make some things happen on that end.”
(On what it takes to beat Arkansas)
“We’re gonna have to show poise, defend well, rebound the ball, and get back in transition. One thing about this team is that we don’t have poise like last year. Our team is not quite that tough minded yet. We’ve been there before and hopefully we can come with the necessary poise it takes to win there. We can’t give Arkansas easy baskets which they really like to create.”
(On Ole Miss’ Dwayne Curtis)
“He’s a key for their team obviously. He’s important for them when he scores; it makes Ole Miss a better team. I think they’ve improved since the first of the year. People think that because we went to the Final Four that we beat everybody by 20 points. That’s not true. We beat them (Ole Miss) by seven last night and that’s the most we beat them by in two years. He’s their inside presence and when he can get 10, 12, 15 points it makes their team much better.”
KENTUCKY HEAD COACH TUBBY SMITH
(On upcoming game against Vanderbilt)
“They’re shooting the ball extremely well. They have a number of guys who can make the outside shot. They have good balance and seasoned veteran players who’ve been through the rigors of the SEC. I know they feel confident about their ability to come in and win the basketball game. We’ve got to have one of our better defensive efforts.”
(On Randolph Morris)
“He’s been the focal point of our offense. His patience is what has developed over the last two years. He’s stronger, in better shape, and we’re doing a better job of finding him open inside. His maturity is coming. His play is critical to us in this point in time; he’s been able to deliver in the clutch.”
TENNESSEE HEAD COACH BRUCE PEARL
(On upcoming game against South Carolina)
“South Carolina is struggling right now. We’ve lost three, they’ve lost four. Both teams are gonna try to get on track. They’re a young team like us. South Carolina/Tennessee probably has lost as many to graduation as anybody. Tré Kelly is obviously demonstrating that he’s one of the better guards in the conference. They’re patient and they shoot the basketball. They do a lot of things to try to confuse the opponent.”
ARKANSAS HEAD COACH STAN HEATH
(On upcoming game with LSU)
“We’re coming off a tough loss. Mentally we’ve got to get our edge back. This is a big game for us at home and when you talk about LSU you start with (Glen) Davis. He creates a lot of problems for you offensively and defensively. Those other guys have done a nice job of being good role players and teammates. We’ve got our hands full. We’ve had some great battles with them over the last couple of years. We’ve got to make sure we step up to the challenge.”
ALABAMA HEAD COACH MARK GOTTFRIED
(On upcoming game against Georgia)
“In this league you better get ready to play everyday, and they proved last night how good a basketball team they are. We need to bounce back from a loss to Vanderbilt, and we definitely understand how good Georgia is and how good this league is.”
(On Hendrix and Gee)
“They’re guys we count on for a lot of things both offensively and defensively. They’ve both improved since last year and are getting better.”
AUBURN HEAD COACH JEFF LEBO
(On upcoming game against Mississippi State)
“Mississippi State is similar to us. They’re playing smaller than in the past. We’ve struggled over there the last two years. Rick has done a terrific job over there and they have terrific players in Gordon and Rhodes. We’ll have to figure out a way to defend those two guys.”
(On beating a top 25 team)
“We were so in a hole and our schedule has been difficult. It’s big to finally get one for the kids and coaches. To come from behind was big. It did feel good to get one. I’ve told my team that when we get one we’re going down to Toomer’s Corner and we’re gonna roll it, and that’s what we did last night.”
OLE MISS HEAD COACH ANDY KENNEDY
(On upcoming game against Florida)
“Coming off the road last night at LSU we played a good LSU team. We knew we had our hands full. I thought our guys competed. We’ve gotta regroup quickly. The hits just keep on coming as we head to Florida on Saturday.”
MISSISSIPPI STATE HEAD COACH RICK STANSBURY
(On upcoming game against Auburn)
“They’re coming off a big win against Tennessee. I’m sure Jeff’s gonna preach about opportunity. He has a young team but he’s done very good with them."
(On preparing for Auburn)
“It (Auburn beating a top 25 team) makes it easier to prepare. It puts an extra step in your kids walk. It becomes easier when your kids feel really good about themselves.”