University of Tennessee Athletics
Buzz Peterson Weekly Press Conference
January 19, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 19, 2004
Comments from Tennessee head coach Buzz Peterson from Monday's weekly press luncheon prior to Tuesday's game against Kentucky (8 p.m.-ESPN2) at Thompson-Boling Arena. =
BUZZ PRESS LUNCHEON | 
VIDEO
TENNESSEE VS. KENTUCKY PREVIEW
Opening Statement
"This is a week that I've looked at our schedule long ago as a very important week--a fun week. We've got two schools coming down from Kentucky (Kentucky and Louisville) to play at home and got them on national TV. I doesn't get any more exciting than this.
"Of course we're no pleased on how we played on the road Saturday. I've tried my best to figure out why we've played like that at times and hopefully, we'll get it solved pretty soon. I just don't want to carryover to a home game.
"My approach with them yesterday (Sunday) was a little different from the standpoint that I wanted them to stand up and let me hear their voice of what they were thinking of why we get off to such bad starts when we go on the road. We can talk how bad the defense was and how well they shot, but when you turn the ball over so quick it doesn't help you at all, then you get so far behind. It is a young bunch, one of the five youngest teams in the country, but still you've got to be prepared to meet some of those challenges you'll face when you go on the road.
On Kentucky:
"I look at this Kentucky team that lost those three guys from last year, but they still have the leadership in those two guards, they've got the leadership, they've got good chemistry. When you've guards like Fitch and Hawkins that can carry you a long way and get you into the NCAAs and do some harm. As long as Tubby's (Smith) is there, they're still going to have the defense that they need to win a lot of games. Last year, besides the national championship year, that had to be one of the most exciting years for him (Smith) going through the league undefeated. I think he really enjoyed coaching that bunch. Hayes is a tough inside player with great hands. Daniels has improved his game. You can't give those two guys angles or they're going to score on you. "
On the SEC:
"This league is the best in the country. It's competitive and you can't really figure out why that team won there or why that team played well there. I've tried to take the approach and I'm trying to stay concerned about our team and play at a higher level."
On Road Losses:
"What I'm trying to figure out why we're losing by the margins we are on the road. The slow starts on the road--that's what's got me a little puzzeled. I'm glad this week that we are at home. The No. 2 and No. 5 RPI teams in the country are coming in. It doesn't get any more of a challenge than it does this week."
"You've got to have your defense on the road. I told the team this, `you've got to pack it in your suitcase and carry it with us.' That `s the bottom line."
On Kentucky Loss to Georgia:
"It's going to get them fired up. It's going to make them hungry. They'll want to get back and get a win. I'm sure they've had some competitive practices. We've had a very competitive practice yesterday and we'll do it again today. They'll come down here and try to stick it to us. I've taken the same approach with our guys. I'm not happy with the way we played Saturday. I'm not going to stand for it and we had better pick it up. The five guys that are going to give the defensive effort will be the five guys that run through the T (starters)."
