University of North Carolina Athletics
Postgame Quotes
January 3, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2004
Rupp Arena - Lexington, Ky.
North Carolina Head Coach Roy Williams Quotes
On the game as a whole...
"I love college basketball and kids that play college basketball. The feeling that Gerald Fitch must have right now is a feeling that everyone wishes they could have. It was a great college basketball game from a competitiveness standpoint; it was not a great college basketball game in how pretty it was and how well it was played, necessarily. Neither team is very pretty in most situations anyway. It was a very competitive, hard fought game with the kids trying their best."
On how his team feels after the loss...
"For us, it's disheartening to say the least. We've had two games with the Wake Forest game and today's game, that were real battles and we came out on the short end of both of them. It feels a heck of a lot better in the locker room, even if you play poorly, if you win."
On how he feels about his team...
"I was extremely proud of a lot of guys that normally don't play many minutes for us. They came in and kept us in the game for a long time when some of the other players who get all the accolades weren't playing very well. For us to cut (the deficit) to one and have a chance, except for them to hit a 30-foot shot, gives me some hope, I guess, and makes me very proud of my team."
On his thoughts about his team's play...
"We didn't look like a very well coached team out there today. That's very hard for a coach to say, but I didn't feel like we were very well-coached today, and that's my responsibility."
On Melvin Scott only taking one three point attempt in the second half...
"At halftime he got his hand taped because he got his hand cut or something. I didn't like that very much because it made me think he was thinking about his hand instead of playing basketball. (Kentucky) did a better job of finding him in the second half. I know they were running at him a little bit harder in the second half."
On if Jawad Williams and Sean May were feeling any effects from their respective injuries...
"I could say that Williams and May didn't practice this week, but that's just a bunch of excuses. At the end of the year it counts as a game, win or lose. I would've liked to have had them practice more this week, but that's just excuses."
On the shot by Gerald Fitch at the end of the game...
"We were trying to guard out own man and we didn't get back to Fitch quickly enough after the ball came in bounds. They set a nice screen and Jackie (Manual) was a little late getting out to him. Sean May and Jackie Manual were running at him, so he had a 6-6 guy and a 6-8 guy running at him, but he made the play. No matter how important us coaches want to think we are, in the end it comes down to players making plays on game day, and that youngster (Fitch) made a big one."
On if Ravi Moss was in the scouting report for Kentucky...
"I watched the last two games against Austin Peay and Louisville, so I knew who he was. But he did some nice things for them and made two big shots.
North Carolina Players
42 Sean May, Center
On Kentucky's play in the second half...
"They (Kentucky) started making a run that built the crowd and then (Gerald) Fitch got hot. It got ugly from there and they started coming back."
On North Carolina as a team...
"We need to come together as a team. Right now we have too many individuals and we need unity. That's the reason we lost today and we have a lot of work to do in order to improve in that area."
1 Melvin Scott, Guard
On the outcome of the game...
"We needed to make some big plays down the stretch and we didn't do it. They (Kentucky) were able to make the big plays when they counted the most. This is a tough loss but we played a great team today in a hostile environment."
On North Carolina's upcoming preparation...
"Now we have to get ready for ACC play. We have to fight back and get better as a team instead of trying to make things happen individually."
Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith
"I know we struggled scoring in the first half and were in a drought. I think we were still playing cautiously. We started out with a good run, but I knew Roy Williams' teams always make the right adjustments and they did. We did a good job (after halftime). Gerald got hot and made some jump shots. I was really pleased with Ravi Moss, the effort he gave and Bernard Cote - two guys that don't play a lot. Ravi, a walk-on, has great heart and great hustle. He gave us exactly what we needed - some energy and enthusiasm. I was really looking for that. Bernard came in and played relaxed and did what we asked him to do."
"It was a defensive struggle most of the game. I know we didn't shoot the ball well and Roy Williams would like to see his team shoot better, but I have as much respect for Roy Williams and North Carolina's program as any program in the country. They do a great job."
On Gerald Fitch's play in the second half ...
"He took a couple questionable shots in the first half, but he has a big heart and wants to do more. Sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself by setting better screens for other people. That was a big-time three after they had knocked down a three at the other end. We were happy to see him make that three and give us a little cushion at the end."
On Erik Daniels' play ...
"We felt like we could post him up on the inside. Erik is a smart player inside and pretty crafty. Bernard was doing a good job of finding him open inside. His willingness to pass the ball was really beneficial. Sean May was caught wrong-side a couple of times and we were able to get the ball to him."
On Ravi Moss ...
"Ravi plays better position defense. He's more aggressive, more physical and that's what I've been trying to get out of our guys. I'm going to play the guys that are going to give us that. He did exactly what we wanted to do and gave us a plus by scoring some buckets. That's a real big plus. He took care of the basketball and didn't turn the ball over. You'll see a lot more of Ravi Moss."
On Kentucky's senior leadership ...
"You expect your seniors to step up and make big plays. I'm glad they showed the toughness to get it done in the end."
Kentucky Players
4 Gerald Fitch, Guard
On his last three of the game...
"Chuck set a great screen and I was able to get some room. The shot clock was at seven or eight and I was looking for the shot."
On Coach Smith's halftime talk...
"He wasn't really focused on turnovers. He was focused on our energy level and talked about how we weren't playing Kentucky basketball."
On the play of Ravi Moss and Bernard Cote...
"They did a great job, especially Ravi. That was no surprise to us. He plays like that every day in practice."
12 Bernard Cote, Forward
On the opportunity to play today...
"Chuck (Hayes) got some fouls and it gave me an opportunity to get out there. I've been waiting for this and it was a great opportunity."
On his back trouble...
"Unfortunately with my back, I didn't get as strong as I wanted to over the summer. I thought I might have to redshirt but I saw some good trainers for that and didn't have to miss (the season)."
1 Cliff Hawkins, Guard
On the adjustments at halftime...
"We got down early, but we took care of the ball in the second half. That was the difference in the game."
On the offense...
"Our shots weren't falling. We knew we had to come out (after halftime) and take care of the ball."
On the win...
"They (North Carolina) are a good team, but we still have things we need to work on. But, we found a way to win tonight."
On the upcoming SEC slate...
"We've got a job to do. It's a whole different season now - we have a chance to do something special like we did last year."
44 Chuck Hayes, Forward
On Fitch's three at the end of the game...
"That was huge. It is part of our motion offense - he came off the screen deep in the corner, but (the defender) gave him some room and he hit it."
On the team's energy level...
"The last two games we didn't have any energy or passion, and that's what we need to win ballgames. In the first half we showed a little at the beginning, but then we fell off. We weren't the same team."
On the win going into the SEC...
"That was a huge win for us. It is exactly what we needed going into SEC play."
24 Kelenna Azubuike, Guard
On getting back the team's confidence...
"We got our confidence back today. We just wanted to come out and get the win. We didn't think about losing - Coach stresses the positives a lot."
On the win...
"We got back on track today. They are a good team, but we came ready to play. Now we are going to work harder in practice and turn it up a notch."
On the crowd...
"They were unbelievable. It is good to have them on your side. We appreciate all the support of the fans."
2 Ravi Moss, Guard
On playing in today's close game...
"It was great, a lot of fun. That's what you live for to play against the second best basketball program in the country - it feels good."
On being nervous...
"Walking up to check in, I was nervous for about two seconds, but as soon as I walked on the court it went away. It was exciting to get out there."
