WATCH: Mark Pope, Kentucky players recap “salty” win over Georgia State
Even though it contained some “saltiness,” Kentucky’s 105-76 win over Georgia State took the Cats to 7-0, their best start since the 2016-17 season. Mark Pope was pleased about the win and the way his team banded together after Clash Peters’ flagrant and technical foul for a cheap shot on Amari Williams with 12:37 to go. As you might expect, that was a big talking point in the postgame press conference.
“I thought our guys responded great,” Pope said. “As things got a little more intense, I thought our guys pulled together.”
Seven Kentucky players finished in double figures. Kerr Kriisa was one point shy of joining that group, but came close, launching multiple three-point attempts down the stretch. Pope told reporters why afterward: Kriisa is just three points away from 1,000 in his college career, so Lamont Butler made sure he stayed in and had the opportunity to reach the milestone. He came up short but will hit that mark soon.
Hear more from Pope, Ansley Almonor, Jaxson Robinson, and Lamont Butler below. A fun night in Rupp before things get real next week vs. Clemson and Gonzaga.
Kentucky Players
#2, Jaxson Robinson, G
On the way they reacted/came together after the skirmish …
“I think it was pretty obvious that it got us going, so we have to play like that. I felt like we let up a little bit towards the beginning of the second half. But like I said, it got us going and we started making some shots.”
On Coach Pope running out…
“It shows the love and care he has for his players, so I mean, great coach.”
On what they are looking forward to on upcoming road games…
“It’s a test. We haven’t really had our first real road game yet, so I think everybody decided to get out to Clemson and just compete. We know they’re a tough, physical team, so we’re excited to get out there and hopefully win the ball game.”
#15, Ansley Almonor, F
On playing on a team with seven double figure scorers…
“It’s just great having teammates. We all make shots. We all work hard and we’re such a talented team, so it’s great to go out there.”
Thoughts on last two days…
“It’s been great. Yesterday, we celebrated Thanksgiving—a holiday to practice gratitude, and be thankful. And to see BBN show out like this, the day after Thanksgiving, they could be out shopping on Black Friday, and then coming out to pack this house just shows us how much they really love us. Made us want to go out there and fight for them.”
On the crowd’s energy during the skirmish…
“For sure. It turned us up a little bit. It’s like a little boost in your back. So, we definitely heard that.”
#1, Lamont Butler, G
On Kerr Kriisa being close to 1000 career points…
“I knew he needed three more. It was something we talked about. He said he needed twelve points before the game and, once he had nine, I was like, ‘coach he can get three more’. I wanted to see him get one, but he didn’t.”
On channeling the energy from the skirmish…
“I think they just woke us up a little bit at that point. It was a time when they went on a big run. We’re ready to go at that point, ready to fight back and just play hard.”
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