KENTUCKY HC MARK POPE Q&A:
* A good night for us. So much of what we needed tonight. Played a defending national champ. Some numbers tonight I was really excited about, some things to look at and keep working on.
* Carr is such a high % scorer and good decision-maker. Not many guys his size with that ability. Really special, difficult to guard. His defensive performance was much improved from our first game.
* On Kerr's pace... Such an infusion of energy, a beautiful thing. He's going to be really fun, really dangerous. Really important to get him out there tonight.
* On Amari Williams' status after leaving the game... His passing is key to what we do. Really important. I think he's doing fine. X-Rays came back solid. We'll get some more imaging done tomorrow. Hopefully, he's fine.
* Jaxson's been playing this way for me for a long time, and he looks pretty comfortable. Not shy at all, is he?
* We're going to go 2/13 in the first 9 minutes sometimes, as long as they're earned shots, it's OK. It's coming. We train that way, we study that way, we work that way.
* One thing I was disappointed with was our offensive rebounding. Not how we expect to perform on the offensive glass. Only six OR. That's not us at all. Not how we play.
* Game that felt a little weird. Wasn't any real rhythm to it, and we still had some nice numbers at the end of the game. Liked their assist numbers again, 28 on 37 made FGs.
* Says the "karma of the game matters." ... Asked what that means, he says when people do the right things, it's amazing how many times the ball goes in or goes into the right hands. It's about playing the game the right way and the game honoring you.
* On the first half maybe exposing them a bit, something he thought they needed in these EXH games... Thought it was good for them. Overcame it by "leaning into us."
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MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO HC Matt Margenthaler Q&Q:
* Loves how UK plays. They just score in bunches.
* Calls UK point guard Lamont Butler "a man against boys" and "a monster" on the defensive end of the floor. Going to cause a lot of people problems.
* They just bomb 3 after 3 after 3 and get the ball up the floor quick. Makes it hard for the defense. So many guys get opportunities to score. I just think they play the game the right way. Mark's gonna get this thing going big-time.
