Vicky Graff Photo
Here is part of what Sargent said about UK and Pope after the game:Opening statement
“First off, speaking in terms of our team, I really felt like we came in here with good preparation. I thought our guy’s minds were right — had good prep on the two games we had on Coach Pope’s team — and, quite honestly, I thought a lot of the talk and a lot of the excitement about his team [was with] the offense, and I certainly get that, but I was very impressed with their physicality defensively.
“I thought it sped us up. I thought it put us on our heels early, and then obviously, when they get out in transition, they’re hard to guard. Coming into this game, [I had] a ton of respect for Coach Pope, and his story— how he built a roster in a short amount of time that really fit his scheme. I think we’re a better team than this.
“We could’ve played better, but when I sat there and kind of took it in, I think you got to start with just giving a ton of credit to Kentucky. They were a lot to handle tonight.”
On the intensity of Kentucky that caused issues for Wright State…
“Their physicality on every pass and screen. I thought they did a good job of being physical and it felt like we saw a different team than what I saw on film defensively. Overall, physicality and alertness. They were prepared and they played hard.”
On Kentucky being connected early and what it says about their future…
“When your first game is Kentucky, you kind of learn as much as you can. Coach Pope’s story — I know he loves this university, and I know he played here. I know what his understanding of the community and recruiting here is. All of the different places you can go in recruiting. I think he gets the fit. I think he gets the abstract things you can miss in recruiting. And you can tell he has a connected group because he found the right kids that understand the brand here and it shows up on both ends of the floor.”
One Response
I’m not going to say I was right about Perry and Noah but I was right about Perry and Noah. I would redshirt them barring injuries. We are 10 deep without them and 12 deep with them. They clearly are a step behind even Chandler who hadn’t played basketball in 2 years. I just knew going from county basketball where most teams are terrible. Inner city ball gets kids ready sooner than county ball. There is just no competition in alot of the smaller schools. I think they both become starters in a couple of years but when I was saying this same thing last summer everyone was saying I didn’t know what I was talking about. Its not like I was bashing the kids its just impossible for freshman who aren’t even ranked in the top 70 or in Noah’s case the top 100 to come in a get playing time over 5th year seniors. I said instead of wasting a year getting the seniors Water they should redshirt and play a extra season when they are much better players. Both of them could possibly be here for 4-5 years. I don’t see them transfer unless they get absolutely no playing time. The bad thing about the recruiting right now is he’s bringing in 5* talent who will probably be much better than Noah and Perry even next year. I just didn’t want people to think they were going to come in and start which some people were saying Perry could start lol and Noah could log good minutes and it’s just not going to happen. Not this year at least. So everyone can give me my flowers. My take on this team was extremely accurate so far. I said Oweh was one of the best 3 guys on the team when Jon Rothstein didn’t even have him starting.? Butler Oweh Robinson Carr and Williams was who I had as my preseason starting 5 I also said Robinson Carr and Oweh were a 3 headed monster on offense. Brea is actually better than I thought he would be.