KENTUCKY HC JOHN CALIPARI Q&A:
* Vandy deserved to win, Cal says. Made unbelievable shots late in the shot clock. UK didn't throw the same kind of daggers.
* Not happy with the outcome of the game, but will try to turn it into a positive to get everyone healthy for the NCAA Tournament.
* Oscar Tshiebwe sounds as dejected as you might ever see him. Probably since that St. Peter's game. Says he still has faith in his teammates, though, as they go into the NCAA Tourney.
* Antonio Reeves says they need to get healthy so they can go fight in the NCAA Tournament.
* Asked about the breakdowns that allowed Vandy to get to the rim so easily, Cal said they went over what they needed to do, but didn't execute it. Had to give a little space because of their quickness, and noted that Vandy made tough shots when they actually did play good defense.
* Asked about Sahvir Wheeler, Cal said it hurt not having him tonight. Said he went thru some practice stuff the other day and hopefully can give them some spot minutes like CJ Fredrick has.
* Vandy played for their lives, and now they're an NCAA Tournament team, Cal says. "And I thought they were before this game."
* Cal kept thinking they'd win the game, "but somebody has to make a play."
* This team plays better when it has nothing to lose, Cal says. "I call it stinkin' thinkin'." When they just play, they're as good as anyone in the country. When they go out there and think and worry about things, they are not.
* Is there a way to teach guys who have never won in the postseason how to win in the postseason? You just have to break through and do it, have to make plays and trust your teammates.
* I still believe in this team. I believe they can go on a deep run. But we have to be healthy. Noted that Jacob only practiced once this week. Wasn't sure if Cason was going to go. CJ hasn't been able to practice fully.
* Told the guys at halftime, this is what it looks like in the postseason: "If you give a guy beer muscles, he's gonna run with it." (Talking about that sequence before the half.)
* You can't win a tough game shooting 50% at the line, especially when the other team shoots 90%
* We have to get 3-4 practices in with a full team, Cal says. They need a couple of days just to recover now, but Monday or Tuesday, they gotta have their guys out there working together.
* They made shots and we missed shots. I know you won't believe it, but that's what this game is about.
* One good thing about the NCAA Tourney is going up against someone that doesn't know you as well as a team like Vandy does, Cal says.
VANDERBILT HC JERRY STACKHOUSE Q&A:
* Great experience for the team the last few weeks. Everyone involved with the program are excited about how things are going. Another step to where they want to go. Reminds everyone how quick things can turn. A few weeks ago, everyone in their program and around it were down in the dumps. They looked themselves in the mirror and decided to make changes.
* The country is starting to learn that they have some special players at Vandy, Stackhouse says. Really hoping they get a chance to show it on the NCAA Tourney stage.
* Asked what has finally clicked for this team, Stackhouse says the defense has improved enough to give them a chance because they're good at making shots. Now, if they can rebound a little bit better, "it might be over." (Smiles)
* On not wilting when UK made a late push... Says his guys don't get rattled. You know you're not really gonna lose a game in the first half (when UK was up 14-4 and 34-27) or late in the game when they made some shots. Thinks his team stays aggressive no matter how the game is unfolding.
* Vandy deserved to win, Cal says. Made unbelievable shots late in the shot clock. UK didn't throw the same kind of daggers.
* Not happy with the outcome of the game, but will try to turn it into a positive to get everyone healthy for the NCAA Tournament.
* Oscar Tshiebwe sounds as dejected as you might ever see him. Probably since that St. Peter's game. Says he still has faith in his teammates, though, as they go into the NCAA Tourney.
* Antonio Reeves says they need to get healthy so they can go fight in the NCAA Tournament.
* Asked about the breakdowns that allowed Vandy to get to the rim so easily, Cal said they went over what they needed to do, but didn't execute it. Had to give a little space because of their quickness, and noted that Vandy made tough shots when they actually did play good defense.
* Asked about Sahvir Wheeler, Cal said it hurt not having him tonight. Said he went thru some practice stuff the other day and hopefully can give them some spot minutes like CJ Fredrick has.
* Vandy played for their lives, and now they're an NCAA Tournament team, Cal says. "And I thought they were before this game."
* Cal kept thinking they'd win the game, "but somebody has to make a play."
* This team plays better when it has nothing to lose, Cal says. "I call it stinkin' thinkin'." When they just play, they're as good as anyone in the country. When they go out there and think and worry about things, they are not.
* Is there a way to teach guys who have never won in the postseason how to win in the postseason? You just have to break through and do it, have to make plays and trust your teammates.
* I still believe in this team. I believe they can go on a deep run. But we have to be healthy. Noted that Jacob only practiced once this week. Wasn't sure if Cason was going to go. CJ hasn't been able to practice fully.
* Told the guys at halftime, this is what it looks like in the postseason: "If you give a guy beer muscles, he's gonna run with it." (Talking about that sequence before the half.)
* You can't win a tough game shooting 50% at the line, especially when the other team shoots 90%
* We have to get 3-4 practices in with a full team, Cal says. They need a couple of days just to recover now, but Monday or Tuesday, they gotta have their guys out there working together.
* They made shots and we missed shots. I know you won't believe it, but that's what this game is about.
* One good thing about the NCAA Tourney is going up against someone that doesn't know you as well as a team like Vandy does, Cal says.
VANDERBILT HC JERRY STACKHOUSE Q&A:
* Great experience for the team the last few weeks. Everyone involved with the program are excited about how things are going. Another step to where they want to go. Reminds everyone how quick things can turn. A few weeks ago, everyone in their program and around it were down in the dumps. They looked themselves in the mirror and decided to make changes.
* The country is starting to learn that they have some special players at Vandy, Stackhouse says. Really hoping they get a chance to show it on the NCAA Tourney stage.
* Asked what has finally clicked for this team, Stackhouse says the defense has improved enough to give them a chance because they're good at making shots. Now, if they can rebound a little bit better, "it might be over." (Smiles)
* On not wilting when UK made a late push... Says his guys don't get rattled. You know you're not really gonna lose a game in the first half (when UK was up 14-4 and 34-27) or late in the game when they made some shots. Thinks his team stays aggressive no matter how the game is unfolding.
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