The following quotes from head coach Mike Anderson and the Blazer players are from Tuesday’s press conference held on the
main court in Bartow Arena.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH MIKE ANDERSON
Opening Statement
“The Kentucky game has given our guys a lot of confidence, especially since there are only 16 teams left playing, so I think that
this is something that our guys are definitely looking forward to. Again, we have a huge challenge in front of us, and when you
think of Kansas, you’re talking about the roots of basketball. We’re going to be playing in an arena where they (Kansas) will be
close to home and they have a distinct size advantage.”
“They (Kansas) have guys that have been in this arena before, in terms of the Final Four. Keith Langford, (Wayne) Simien, (Aaron)
Miles and their freshman (J.R. Giddens) is playing some really good basketball right now. When you talk about a tradition-rich,
powerhouse team, you’re talking about the Kansas Jayhawks and I think that Bill Self has done an outstanding job. There was a
transition period for them, but you can tell that they are playing some of their better basketball right now.”
On being on the cover of Sports Illustrated and if he has any concern about the jinx
“I think that we just need to go play the game. There’s no question about the fact that this is a different type of atmosphere for us,
but it is something that I have grown accustomed to while I was at Arkansas and all of the success that we had there. We just
need to keep everything at a comfort level for our team and we just need to go out and play basketball.”
“So far this season, we’ve been a day-to-day team and a practice-to-practice team, so we need to just play game to game and
get prepared for a really good Kansas Jayhawk team. All of the hype, the media attention and all of the distractions that will take
place are things that I, as well as my staff, will be able to limit as much as possible. At the same time, we need to let our team
experience some of it.”
On what it means from him personally because he is from Birmingham
“I think that because I am from here, that it just makes it that much more special. It also gives me the focus to continue doing the
things that I want to do, which are winning a national championship and I think that our guys feel that way as well. There are only
16 teams left and we’re right there in the hunt.”
On if there is any way that the Blazers could be overconfident heading into this game
“No, we can’t afford that. If you put any other five guys against our starting five guys then we would probably get beat, but I think
that the difference in our basketball team is our bench strength and our numbers, so we can’t say that we’re going to line up and
beat anybody. I think that anybody can beat us and we can beat anybody else and that’s been proven throughout the year.”
SENIOR GUARD MO FINLEY
On the momentum-shifting play that occurred between twins Donell and Ronell Taylor
“That was a great play, but we also made a lot of other plays in that game that were important as well. I think that the charge that
Gabe (Kennedy) took was huge and it was probably the biggest play of the game. The steal that Carldell (Squeaky Johnson) got
and threw underneath to Demario (Eddins) to lay in to cut it (UAB’s deficit) to two points was also the type of play that helped us
to win the game.”
On if Donell and Ronell Taylor make those types of plays all the time
“They definitely have a unique way of finding each other out there on the court. They have an uncanny ability to just know where
each other are at all times and I guess that’s just part of being a twin.”
On what he was thinking when he hit the game-winning jump shot to defeat Kentucky
“I was just thinking about getting a good look at the basket. I saw the guy (Chuck Hayes) running at me and I was thinking about
using the pump-fake, because earlier in the day Coach (Mike) Anderson was talking to me about using the pump-fake more. I
was just very fortunate that I was able to get a good look and was able to knock it down. Carldell (Squeaky Johnson) did a great
job of drawing the two defenders and kicking the ball back out to me.”
On what the last 48 hours have been like with all of the media attention
“It’s been pretty hectic for the most part. We’ve just been trying to maintain focus on Kansas and I think that we still have a lot of
basketball left to play, and we can’t afford to get too caught up in the Kentucky game or this past week. A lot of teams in the tournament get too caught up in all of the attention and all of the hype, but for me it’s been exciting and also a little stressful.”
“It’s hard to keep our focus, but Kansas is a great team and we’ll have to give them our undivided attention.”
On how Coach Anderson’s workman-like attitude has helped them keep focus
“Coach Anderson will come in here screaming today and we’ll understand that we need to get to work and we’ll respond quickly.
Our practices aren’t long, they’re just really intense and a lot of hard work. Coach Anderson has a great way of focusing our atten-
tion and helping us to not lose focus.”
SOPHOMORE GUARD CARLDELL “SQUEAKY” JOHNSON
On the excitement of making the Sweet 16
“It’s fun. I’m just trying to enjoy it while it lasts. I call home every day and tell my brothers all about it and how much fun it is and
how much I wish they could be out here to enjoy it with me.”
On not letting the success go to your head
“It’s tough for me because I’ve never been here before. Coach (Anderson) always says, ‘Act like you’ve been here before’, but
I’ve never been here. Mo (Finley) always preaches to us that there’s more games to win before our ultimate goal. We just try to
focus on the next game.”
On Kansas
“We’ve seen them on TV a lot. They have good guards in Aaron Myles and Keith Langford. We’re not playing Kansas, we’re
playing their players and we’re trying not to look at their jerseys. We just look at them as regular players and go out there and
play hard.”
On importance of the bench and role players
“I think it’s real important. Coach (Anderson) always talks about the 10-12 starters we have. It’s been real helpful. People are
now starting to notice our play and we’re grateful for that. We’re just trying to enjoy it.”
On being named to ESPN’s Page 2's '04 NCAA All-Hair First Team
“There’s no shame in that. That’s a New Orleans thing. It’s a style at home because everyone in New Orleans wears their hair
like this. My family, my brothers all have hair like this. I take a lot of pride in it. Usually, when I do something good, I shake my
head to represent where I’m from and the tradition we have with our hair. My mom does hair, including mine. Everyone comes
to her to get their hair done. It’s great to be recognized for my hair. I’ve had it like this for two or three years and I’ve been livin’
it up. I might try something else in the near future.”
SENIOR FORWARD SIDNEY BALL
Does the excitement of the fans have an effect on you
“You can’t help being effected by it. It feels good to get all the attention that you get, but you have to stay focused and try not to
get too high. I try to put off the excitement as long as possible and reflect on it when the experience is over. You take the compliment, say ‘thanks’ and keep moving. You have to try put it in the back of your mind. Take it and move on.”
Is there a danger in celebrating the success already
Coach (Anderson) does a great job of reminding us at all times that we’re not done yet. We don’t want to be satisfied with what
we’ve accomplished. We want to keep moving. Coming into the season your goal is to make it to San Antonio and that’s what
we’re still trying to do.”
UAB SENIOR FORWARD GABE KENNEDY
On maintaining focus
“Mo (Finley) and Sidney (Ball) remind us, every time we’re in the lockerroom, to stay focused. I think they’re gonna keep us
together and keep us focused on what we have to do.”
On playing Kansas in a pro-Kansas venue
“Coach (Anderson) told us at the Kentucky game that there would be a lot of peole chanting against us. He tells us to just act
like their chanting for us and that’s what we do. We just go out and play hard and don’t worry about the fans, just the people
we’re playing against.”
How far do you think UAB can go
“I think we can go all the way. If we do what we’re capable of doing, then we can win it all.”
JUNIOR GUARD RONELL TAYLOR
On what success of the team means to UAB
“I think it’s giving more people a chance to see UAB, not just the basketball program. This is a good school and people are finding out more about UAB.”
On how Coach Anderson encourages players to use their instincts
“He knows we’re not going to make every play. He might get on you when you make a bad play, but he also wants you put that
in one ear and out the other. Don’t hold your head down because you did something wrong, just go out there and play through
it.”
JUNIOR GUARD DONELL TAYLOR
On the play against Kentucky
“It wasn’t so much a shocker to me as it was for the people in the stands and some of our teammates. We are used to doing that
once or twice every year. That one happened by mistake or just twin intuition, but I’m glad it got to me.”
On playing with his twin brother Ronell
“We are used to playing with each other and playing against each other. That allows us to know where each other will be on the
basketball court. We play a little bit more comfortable together than we do with our other teammates.”
On UAB’s style of play
“We are a running and executing team. When we see the opportunity, we try and trap as much as we can. We are just constantly on the move.”
On the twins strengths
“I handle the ball a little better than Ronell and he shoots the ball better and plays better defense than I do.”
SOPHOMORE FORWARD DEMARIO EDDINS
On the media attention
“We really haven’t had this all year. We are used to the one-on-one interviews, but nothing of this magnitude.”
On the Kansas matchup
“We don’t want to get big-headed and think we can just go out and beat anybody. We beat Kentucky and they are a great team.
They might have had an off shooting night. We have to play defense and try to get a lot of rebounds.”
On UAB’s conditioning
“We are used to getting up early in the morning during the preseason. All that work is paying off right now.”
On the win over Kentucky
“We came out and just did what we do best, play defense hard and get after everybody.”
On head coach Mike Anderson:
“I believe in whatever coach (Anderson) says. He’s a great coach. He recruited me and he’s almost like a father figure to me.”
JUNIOR FORWARD MARQUES LEWIS
On the UAB bench
“The bench is probably the most important thing to this team. If the starters don’t bring it, we are there to pick them up. If we
don’t bring it, they are there to pick us up at the same time. It all works hand in hand with us.”
On the media attention
“It’s good. With me coming from a little junior college, just getting on planes and staying hotels, that’s all new to me.”