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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:03 >> Yeah, after you guys had such a strong start, just wondering what were the
00:08 biggest things that now, that led to, that led to a Kentucky taking the game over,
00:13 you know, I'm heading into halftime.
00:16 >> Yeah, I think it was just too many defensive breakdowns.
00:20 We let Reyes get too hot and he started hitting some grease that really hurt us.
00:24 But our biggest thing is just continue to try to put 40 minutes together.
00:29 We'll have 30 minutes of great game, but then 10 minutes will really hurt us.
00:35 So once we can do that, then we'll start fixing things.
00:39 >> And then, something that's been talked a lot about recently was just,
00:43 Kenny and you all asking each other, I'm having quit on this team.
00:46 I'm heading into halftime, just take us through the messaging there and
00:51 just how you all were able to come out and finish the game.
00:54 >> Yeah, nobody's quit on anybody.
00:56 This team, I mean, I've always said this is the closest team I've ever been on.
01:01 And I keep repeating to this team, they wanna do big things,
01:04 they wanna win games.
01:06 So we are just saying stay together, no matter what happens, just stay together.
01:09 That was the main message.
01:11 [BLANK_AUDIO]
01:15 >> Brandon, how have you all been able to keep your heads up after tough losses
01:18 like this throughout the season?
01:20 [BLANK_AUDIO]
01:23 >> I think mainly, this is about staying together and
01:27 not focusing on the outside noise.
01:30 Cuz obviously we all, we feel it as well.
01:34 Obviously, we don't wanna feel it this way.
01:37 But this is about staying together, staying within ourselves.
01:41 [BLANK_AUDIO]
01:43 And try to find ways to win games and to push what we feel that we have,
01:50 push it out.
01:52 We're all just trying to figure each other out.
01:55 But just for us, we have to stay really close and
02:00 lean on our brothers and let each other know that we're there for each other.
02:05 >> Brandon, after the Arkansas State game, you were noticeably upset about what was
02:12 going on with the booze in the stands today.
02:14 It was a pretty overwhelming blue and white chant going on.
02:18 Does that make you emotional after this at all?
02:20 Is that something that is concerning to you, that there is a pretty overwhelming
02:24 face here, of course, with the UK fans and
02:27 maybe not so much a presence with the Cards fans?
02:30 >> I think coming into this game, I kinda expected that.
02:35 There's nothing we can really do about that except for winning.
02:43 That's just what it comes down to.
02:46 I believe that if we started better in the beginning of the season,
02:53 didn't drop those games that we dropped, we would be above 500 right now.
03:00 I think the conversation would be a little bit different.
03:02 But some things we just put it on ourselves and
03:05 gotta find a way to win and find a way to change that.
03:10 I think that this break is good for us.
03:12 I think that coming back will be better.
03:16 >> Kind of the same question but in a different way.
03:19 Just when you have had such small crowds, how does this one right here,
03:24 when you come out to the seats filled, how does it get you jacked up for
03:29 the game maybe in ways you weren't applying to other opponents?
03:32 And even if the crowd was a lot of UK fans tonight,
03:34 they seem like a lot of you both fans too.
03:36 And when you got off to that hot start, the fans were loving it.
03:38 So just how much of that, I guess, has sparked you all in the beginning?
03:42 >> Really just recognize what kind of game it is.
03:47 I think that in of itself allows us to feel the energy or
03:53 to feel what type of time that we have to be on.
03:56 Like it's a very big game, a rivalry game.
03:59 One of the known rivalries in the sport of basketball and college sports.
04:03 But whenever we feel that way, say our fans aren't with us, like I said,
04:09 we have to be together and figure it out ourselves, get our own energy.
04:13 And we felt that knowing what type of game it was.
04:16 So we already had the energy within ourselves.
04:19 And then once they shown the video before the start of lineups,
04:24 it just brought a little bit more.
04:25 That's why you've seen what was happening in the first eight minutes of the game,
04:30 like right there with them.
04:31 So.
04:34 >> Scott, just what is the message from Coach KP after a game like this?
04:39 Even though you guys, record wise, may be struggling, but you get this break and
04:43 just before heading into conference play to kind of get the guys inspired and
04:47 let you guys know that this will turn around.
04:50 >> Yeah, the message is, like I said, just stay together.
04:54 I think this break will be good for us, like Brandon said.
04:57 I get to come back, get a little mental break from everything.
05:00 Everybody gets to get away, be with their families.
05:04 I think it'll be really good for us.
05:05 But I mean, we know, like I said, this team hasn't given up on anything,
05:09 on anybody.
05:10 It'll just, I mean, this just motivates us.
05:14 And we know that we're right there with some of the top teams,
05:18 despite the score.
05:19 Like I said, the second half of the first half,
05:23 those last ten minutes really hurt us.
05:26 But I think KP said we won the second half by one point.
05:29 And so, like I said, we just gotta put 40 minutes together.
05:32 That's it.
05:33 And just continue to go out there and play our hearts out.
05:35 >> When Coach Calipari was in here, he said if people would wait another year,
05:45 the Louisville program would be where people expect it to be.
05:50 Do you think the administration will be that patient?
05:53 And have you been given any indication from Josh Hurd or
05:57 anyone else that Kenny's job is safe?
06:01 >> I mean, we're the players.
06:03 We're still rocking with KP.
06:05 >> Forever.
06:06 >> Yeah.
06:07 We have no control over what decisions are being made.
06:11 And we don't even have time to worry about that and focus on that.
06:14 We have to, we got games coming up.
06:17 We're going to the conference play.
06:18 So that's what we're focused on.
06:19 We gotta control what we can control.
06:20 >> This is for both you guys.
06:23 Sky, you said at the very beginning that you guys let Reeves get too hot.
06:26 How much of it was, did you feel like it was just him making good plays versus
06:30 where did you think it was defensive breakdowns on your part?
06:32 Maybe what you guys could have done differently to defend him.
06:35 >> Yeah, I think a little bit of both.
06:37 Just actually, he went 10 for 16, 4 for 5, and 3.
06:40 Obviously, we know he's a shooter, so he was making some really good plays.
06:46 But as a team, we gotta know, we gotta always find him.
06:49 And he got some ones in transition, and some ones coming off screen.
06:54 So we just gotta be better with that.
06:58 >> Both of you have emphasized the importance of playing together and
07:01 not giving up.
07:02 You also said you're rocking with KP.
07:04 How much do you really enjoy playing for the guy?
07:07 We always hear of him as a player's coach.
07:10 >> Yeah, he's a great person.
07:12 I've said this since I committed here.
07:14 The reason why I committed here was because the first thing he said was,
07:19 you're gonna know I love you before I coach you.
07:22 And to me, that's huge.
07:24 He doesn't treat us like basketball players.
07:25 He treats us like young men.
07:27 And he's a mentor to us.
07:29 And he teaches us more than just basketball.
07:31 He teaches us about life.
07:33 And he prepares us for more than just our dreams.
07:37 He prepares us for life.
07:38 So KP, he's a great person.
07:41 I call him like a grandpa.
07:42 I know I can go to him for anything.
07:44 So.
07:45 >> For me, it's a little different.
07:48 He's more of a second father to me.
07:54 So my connection with him is a little bit deeper.
07:58 Or it still means as much as his.
08:00 But him just keep on being in my ear about,
08:06 am I gonna allow my family to starve or am I gonna feed them?
08:12 And that's as simple as he can put it for me.
08:15 All I ever wanted since leaving Tennessee was the opportunity to play.
08:21 No matter if I have a bad practice or a bad game,
08:24 just to have the opportunity to play and figure it out myself.
08:27 And he's just been there for me.
08:28 And him putting the work with me at night and
08:33 being patient with my development is really huge.
08:36 And I thank him for that every day.
08:40 And then just being in the gym, being around someone.
08:45 I feel like being around someone a lot is how you grow a connection.
08:49 And just being in the gym with him countless times.
08:51 And him pouring into me is something that I'll always be grateful for.
08:56 Something that I need going forward in my development and
09:00 where I wanna go in my life.
09:01 >> Anything else for these guys?
09:04 >> Great, thank you.