KENTUCKY HC MARK POPE UK RADIO NETWORK Q&A:
* What a fun night. MSU is a great team, and our guys were just really tough down the stretch. They answered the bell in a massive way.
* The last 4 minutes of the first half, our guys were outstanding in having perfect possessions to go into halftime with some momentum.
* On handling the road game better than at UGA... We talked going into the game about how the 40 minutes on the court should be your safest place. All we have to worry about is what is in front of you right now. There were a lot of momentum swings, but we stayed right here, right now and moved on to the next play.
* Guys were really good about getting into their second and third actions, coming to the ball, really making plays for each other. If you had told me 21 assists and 13 turnovers against THIS team going into the game, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.
* Lamont Butler played so great off two feet in the game. Everything he's been working on in practice, he showed. He's a terrific leader and a warrior.
* On Robinson and Almonor's shooting tonight... Really proud of Jaxson. Had a tough 6-7 days. He was really conscious about getting work in recently and a new looking focus. Told me he got distracted thinking about his future and how missed shots my impact him. The game treats you right when you approach it like he did. Stop worrying about what has happened/what might happen and just go out and play. Unbelievable special performance by both he and Ansley. We told you all when he got here that Ansley was going to win us some games this year.
*****
* What a fun night. MSU is a great team, and our guys were just really tough down the stretch. They answered the bell in a massive way.
* The last 4 minutes of the first half, our guys were outstanding in having perfect possessions to go into halftime with some momentum.
* On handling the road game better than at UGA... We talked going into the game about how the 40 minutes on the court should be your safest place. All we have to worry about is what is in front of you right now. There were a lot of momentum swings, but we stayed right here, right now and moved on to the next play.
* Guys were really good about getting into their second and third actions, coming to the ball, really making plays for each other. If you had told me 21 assists and 13 turnovers against THIS team going into the game, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.
* Lamont Butler played so great off two feet in the game. Everything he's been working on in practice, he showed. He's a terrific leader and a warrior.
* On Robinson and Almonor's shooting tonight... Really proud of Jaxson. Had a tough 6-7 days. He was really conscious about getting work in recently and a new looking focus. Told me he got distracted thinking about his future and how missed shots my impact him. The game treats you right when you approach it like he did. Stop worrying about what has happened/what might happen and just go out and play. Unbelievable special performance by both he and Ansley. We told you all when he got here that Ansley was going to win us some games this year.
*****
