Postgame Quotes: Vols 84, #20 Kentucky 77

Feb. 2, 2016

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Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes

(Opening statement)
"Really happy for our guys. Obviously we've had the wrong formula, getting some leads in the first half and letting them get away. But I just thought our guys really deserve all the credit in the world, the way they hung in and hustled. They weren't playing very well early, but they stayed with it. They really did. There wasn't one person that played that game that didn't help us some way, somehow. Again, I said it and you'll hear me say it many times over, there's not a better guy in the business than John (Calipari). And one of the hardest things as a coach when you win a game, is to have to go down and shake your friend's hand. But like he said, if you're going to lose, you want to lose to a friend that you really respect. I can't tell you how much respect I have for him and his program and what he did. For us to come back obviously was a terrific win for us."

(On what the message was when Tennessee fell behind early)
"You go back to the way the game started, they were just kind of playing volleyball with it around the rim. We fouled a 3-point shooter. We turned it over three times, just uncharacteristically. You think about it, we ended up with eight turnovers and three of them we just threw out of bounds, maybe four. They had a lot to do with it too but I just didn't think that we were running offense. I thought we were trying to run offense, not really playing it. But we weren't doing the little subtle things that we needed to do to be effective with our offense. The zone was okay, but they're so well-coached. We just said we're going to have to get more aggressive on the glass. That was probably the biggest thing when we got down. They really had a wide margin over us on the boards. When we started working our way back into the game, that is one area that changed a little bit. Our crowd was tremendous. I think our guys certainly appreciate them staying with us, because early it would have been easy to stay away. But I think our players deserve the credit for giving them something to stay with them about. But it was a big win for us, huge win."

(On what was different production-wise from the game against TCU)
"I thought a couple key plays were very big. I thought at the start of the second half, it looked like we were again starting to rely on (Kevin Punter Jr.) a little bit too much. Admiral (Schofield), we ran a little set that you guys have watched us run. He stepped out and knocked down that three. I thought that was a big one. I thought the fact that we drove the ball one time, Armani (Moore) made a great kick-out and Detrick (Mostella) knocked down a three. We got out in transition, I think it was Shembari (Phillips) that kicked back to (Punter) for a three. I think Robert Hubbs breaking down the lane and scoring that basket out of bounds was a huge play at that time. Maybe the biggest play was the last play, they must have batted that ball around seven, eight, nine, 10 times where a lot of time went off the clock where they missed some right around the rim. That was a lot of seconds that ticked off the clock and we were able to come up with it. And you look at it, we did a nice job at the free throw line."

(On watching film before the game and warming up a little bit later)
"What it really got down to, we've got a group of guys that really put time in the gym. I walk in today, three or four guys are up there doing the individual workouts that we normally do. So you think about it, they did that, then we come out for shootaround, and then we come up and warm up before the game. I told the coaches, we've just got to try to cut this down a little bit. As much as we tried to keep them off the court ourselves, they all had gotten into their own little routine that they feel most comfortable with. We don't want to break that routine, but at this time of year, you've got to be conscious of their legs and their minds. You play Kentucky, they're juices are flowing and I'm sure they were amped up wanting to do it. We didn't do anything different back there, other than we as coaches, without them really knowing it, really tried to keep them back there a little bit longer so they wouldn't be out there on the floor as long during warm-up."

(On the importance of post-play)
"We tried that with Kyle (Alexander) and he got a travel. Armani went in and had a nice post up and it was nice, we also tried to drive him. Armani without question played the best basketball he's played since I've been at Tennessee. Defensively he was outstanding. You're talking about going against the top players of basketball. There's a point and time in the game where we can't just run off of Kevin Punter. That's why we tried to change some things up and give other guys a chance to get flowing. We said to them, `execute our offense and you've got to take shots.' We told them at halftime that we had already made a few threes and we can get going from there, believe me. Just keep running and taking shots but we just can't be a one and done jump-shooting team."

(On disciplining the team's in game judgement)
"We've talked about that all the time but some of that has to do with taking bad shots offensively and we don't have enough guys going to the glass. We haven't done as good of a job as we need to pursuing balls and coming down when teams shoot threes. Really it's competing and I give our guys credit for that, I thought they really competed hard. Something that we've talked a lot about is that we've got to play for 40 minutes. When we were down I told them that we've been here and we've been on the other end and teams can come back but how are we going to change it. We're not going to change our game plan and probably stick with a zone, we feel comfortable with that with Kyle's length around the basket. What can you say about Kevin Punter, he had one of the best guards in the country getting after him. He played about 37 minutes and got more rest than I thought he did. It was truly a great effort from everyone."

(On defending Kentucky)
"I really have a lot of respect for Tyler Ulis. He turned his ankle pretty good and he stayed in the game and playing through (Jamal) Murray we felt like we had to make them score less on the other end. He's a very hard player to defend and we said before that Robert (Hubbs) is the guy for when we do have a player that can score all around the rim, he can do it. We did have two things in mind for him to try and get fouled and trying to make Murray have to guard him."

(On if it ever crossed his mind that his team wouldn't be able to get up after falling far behind)
"No it didn't, for two reasons. You might think about changes that you want to make, But Armani and Kevin were competitive, and Detrick proved that he wanted to compete. As long as you have guys that are willing to compete, I don't think that you think that way. And we're still learning things. Tonight, we're really playing with five guards, and the fact is, we really don't have a point guard. But that's where Kevin has done a great job. I thought Armani was really terrific, other than the one time that he threw it away. When he was at the point, he got guys into things, and took a little pressure off of KP. People want to take him out, and we knew they were going to try to do that, most teams do, but we really don't care. Because we'll have Armani handle the ball, because KP likes to play without it sometimes. I thought we did a pretty job when we knew they were going to start doubling to get it out of his hands. As I've said before, I love these guys, and they'll tell you that I've told them that if we can learn to play, and fight for every possession, we'll have a chance every time we go out. The other thing I would say is, I could tell they were disappointed too, when we let games get away that we felt like we should have won. Because I don't think you're a big time competitor if you don't think you can win them all. And the way we let some of them get away, it hurts. But it goes back to what I said to them, it's a 40 minute game. When we took the lead with about four minutes to go and they were getting all excited and jumping around, I said to them, `We haven't done anything yet, we've been here before. So if you want to get happy and get excited, you better play this game out.' And I thought that had a lot of that had to do with Armani and KP hitting. When those guys are playing well, they're the guys that get other guys to play off of them."

(On if he saw anything in his team when they fell into a large deficit)
"Again, you try to break it down to them as, `Why are we in this deficit right now? We fouled a three-point shooter, had three unforced turnovers, we broke down the baseline out of bounds, we had a couple seconds on the shot clock where we weren't on edge, and they scored. So when you add all that up, you can get up to 12, 13, 14, 15 points really quick. So we just talked about whittling it down. And they got it down further than I thought we would. I didn't say a number, but in my mind I'm thinking, `If we can just get it down around 10 before halftime, we'll have a working margin,' but we ended up getting it lower."

(On there being a change in demeanor after two losses last week)
"We don't change much. You can ask the guys. We have some pretty tough film sessions, I tell them, `I'm just going to tell you the truth here.' I love these guys. If we would have walked in here and lost this game, I would have told you the same thing. I've really enjoyed these guys a lot because I don't think they've ever had an attitude of `We're going to quit.' There's still a lot of basketball to be played. Obviously, as a coach, after you lose the way we did, you think, `What will be the mindset?' But you have to trust them. And that's what we told them - `you're capable, but you're going to have to go do it.' And they put up a great effort."

Tennessee guard Kevin Punter Jr.

(On how it feels to pick up a win over a ranked Kentucky squad)
"It feels good. I don't know if it was because we were down, but our guys' mindsets were different. I'm not sure what happened, but we came out great in the second half. We started off with the dunk and Armani ripped it out from a guy, so we started off really well defensively in the second half."

(On the mood in the locker room after the game)
"It was beautiful. It feels great to beat any team, especially Kentucky. Everyone wants to beat Kentucky. The locker room was great and we can enjoy this for the time being, but the reality is that I have to go to class in the morning. It is what it is. Reality will hit in the morning."

(On what Armani Moore brings to the team)
"Armani does everything for us. People will check the box scores and he will not have a lot of points, but you saw how he got those rebounds in the end. After they got three offensive rebounds in a row, he came up with it. When coach says that, he is dead serious. Armani literally does everything for us (including) the little things that certain players don't practice or want to do."

(On the difference in the defense this game)
"I felt as if we had been coming along in terms of defense. Obviously we understand how important it is to play defense if you want to win. Everyone on this roster wants to win. Everyone understood that and did their job."

Tennessee guard Robert Hubbs III

(On Barnes' message to drive the ball)
"It was good for us. He influenced us a lot. We talked about pounding the ball inside, putting fouls on their big guys, so I think we did a pretty good job with that tonight."

(On being down by 21 and fighting back)
"To be honest, none of my teammates and I were really looking at the scoreboard. We just kept fighting. We knew we were missing easy shots, but we just kept fighting and plugging away bit by bit. After a couple of timeouts, we were just trying to cut the lead down by five points each time, so that helped us out a lot."

(On needing this win)
"We really needed this. We are a competitive team and we have to go out there and play like it each and every night. Some nights we might not play like it, but tonight we showed it"

(On if he did anything differently this game)
"No, I just went in and played my role. I rebounded the ball pretty well and I got extra possessions. I was just trying to create more possessions so that I can impact the game without scoring. Those four offensive rebounds I got really helped us."

Tennessee guard Detrick Mostella

(On having a much better second half)
"We felt like if we weren't going to bring energy in this type of environment, that we were never going to bring it. We knew what we had to do, to keep our foot on the gas and keep pushing."

(What changed the game for Tennessee)
"It was rough, but we knew if we kept fighting that we would come back. We were missing good shots. We didn't have our feet set, we were rushing things, afraid to get our shot blocked. But we kept pushing."

(On needing a win in this kind of environment)
"We needed it a lot. Coming off a tough loss against TCU and not having that much energy on our side, this is just a big win for us."

(On this being Armani's best game)
"No doubt. This was Armani's best game. He was getting it done on the offensive end, just letting it come to him. He was blocking shots, rebounding. We know what we are going to get out of Armani, and that's toughness every night. If he keeps bringing that, we'll be a pretty good team."

Tennessee forward Admiral Schofield

(On keeping the energy in the second half)
"Our biggest thing in the locker room was, we're not going to talk about it...we're just going to do it. We want to be about it, and just do what we've got to do and come out in the second half. We've struggled the last couple of games. I think after this win, we'll go over film and we'll understand even more what it takes. Now that we've done it, we know that we can do it."

(On taking the lead in the second half)
"I'm very confident in my teammates. Three words: Kevin Punter Jr. He's amazing. I love playing with him. I love playing with Armani Moore. The older guys really propelled us this game. They carried us. Armani set the tone on defense, and I think everyone just embraced it and took on the challenge."

(On producing when the focus is on defense)
"It's amazing. When you don't have to worry about scoring, it just makes it easier. As a young player, I didn't understand that coming in. I always thought I had to score and Coach Barnes has really been on me about it. I had a good couple of games, but I understand now what he means by playing defense first. When you have that defensive mindset, everything opens up."

Kentucky head coach John Calipari

(On why the game changed so dramatically)
"We're up 21. Possessions don't matter right now to certain guys on the team, so all of a sudden (they're saying) `It's only one play. It's only two plays. It's only three plays.' All of a sudden, it's a six point game at halftime, then you're in a dog fight. We've got to give great credit (to Tennessee). (Rick Barnes) had them ready. They fought like heck. How about getting down 21 and not stopping? It shows what a good coach he is.

"I'm just disappointed. You can't win making those kind of plays. It is not `I'm just trying to do something.' You can't play basketball that way. Out of bounds play, they run and get a layup late. There's no way. Not if your mindset is `We're winning.' ... There's more than just one guy. Our execution down the stretch, we throw it to the post and the guy has a layup, and he bounces it off his leg. We drive into the middle, and instead of just getting there and making that pass, he tries to go an extra step. It's all stuff that you look at, you just say, `Guys, you're not winning playing this way.'

"I've got to give Tennessee credit. We had them down 21 and they came back and blew our brains out. You think about it, they would've beaten us by 30 in about 25 minutes. It could've been 50. We've got a ways to go. I was worried about this game coming off the Kansas game. The way it started, I thought, `Okay, we're going to be fine.' We had them ready, and I think they just did their normal, `I'm going to back up. I'll get out, and I'll foul out.' You know what I'm saying? `Then the stuff gets too rough, and I just back up.'

"We've got to do some soul-searching, individuals and as a staff. We've got to keep looking at ways that we can help this team get better, and demand more and more winning plays, but we are what we are right now."

(On if he's ever lost a game that he led by 21 before)
"Historically, you may have to look back, but if my team's been up 10, it's like 100-2. I'm coaching a different kind of team."

(On Alex Poythress' performance)
"He's not here, so I would tell you you'd have to ask him."

(On the team defending without fouling)
"We can't."

(On if the team lost confidence as Tennessee was coming back)
"You'd have to ask them."

(On the team's need for a post player)
"Alex (Poythress) did alright the first of the game, then it got a little rough. He kind of did some fades, and all that. He's our post presence, and if he can't play, and they have 6'5" guys that can really guard him, it's tough for us."

(On the frustration of the loss)
"I've done this 30 years, and I've had teams up and down. I'm just ready to get on the plane, because I don't want to have to bus back. That's my thought right now, just so you know."

(On Tyler Ulis' visible frustration)
"He was just upset because we kept breaking down, losing plays. (He was saying), `Why would you do that? How did you lose him?' They kind of talked like my son Brad (mumbles.)"

(On Tyler Ulis' performance)
"He was fine. We've got to have more than that."

(On what he needs from this team)
"I'm just trying to demand that they do it the right way. I'm asking them, `Why would you do that? Why didn't you do what we're teaching? Why are you trying to break up?' Then they do the same thing three times, then I get a little aggressive. Obviously you're not hearing me, so I'm going to say this louder and a little bit closer your face, so you can hear what I'm saying."

(On if the team was past this kind of performance)
"No, because it's a long season. Here's what I see. We had four unbelievable efforts in a row. It's hard to have ten of those. When you get up 21, you know, `Alright, we ain't giving this up.' I'm not taking that shot. I'm not losing that man, because we're going to win this game. They don't think that way. They just (say), `What do you mean? That was a good play. It's only one time.' That's where we are."

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