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Transcript: UK's Robic previews LSU game

Steve Jones
@stevejones_cj

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Steve Jones filling in for Kyle Tucker while he is taking a few days off. John Robic spoke to the media today to preview Kentucky's game against LSU Tuesday night. Here's a transcript of what he had to say.

Kentucky Wildcats assistant coach John Robic holds up a clip board during a time out at 2013 game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena.

On the challenge LSU's size presents

Well, it's going to be a game for the big boys. Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are both two really talented players that use their size to their advantage. Both in the post offensively. Jordan Mickey, a premier shot blocker. He's averaging right around four shot blocks a game -- maybe just a shade under -- does a good job of not leaving his feet and blocking shots off the ball. They have real good size. The whole team has good size. They started (Tim) Quarterman last game at the point, so they're playing 6-6 at the point. They made a little bit of an adjustment from what I gather to bring the team more energy. But the focal point for themselves and for us is the two players in Mickey and Martin.

On if Andrew Harrison did some things well against Florida that didn't show up on the stat sheet

I think that he played a pretty good floor game for the most part. Just wasn't as aggressive as he was the game prior. We need that from him. We need that energy. I really believe that our team feeds off of him energy-wise on both sides of the ball, not only in transition pushing it but with great ball pressure on the defensive end.

On if he thinks teams like LSU and Florida that beat Kentucky last season have more confidence vs. Kentucky this year

You'd have to ask them that question. There are a lot of teams that beat us last year, and we just played well at the end of the year. All these teams are different now. You take Florida, they had a veteran team last year and kids that played together for four years. I think with this LSU team, they lost Johnny O'Bryant, which was their best player last year. And they even were bigger last year, playing Martin at the three with Mickey and O'Bryant in the lineup. So, LSU is different. LSU is pushing the ball a little bit more this year. Everything changes. We're a different team this year than we were last year, so I wouldn't read too much into that.

On the luxury for a coach to have so many different options

I never had any. That's why I got fired. I mean, it's great. It's good on a couple different fronts. One, if someone's not playing well you can go to another player and have a backup. And that's the luxury that we do have. If you're not bringing it every day and you're not bringing it every night during games we're going to go to somebody else. Coach is going to do that, and these kids know that. That's why our practices have been so good: because they've all been competitive. If you take a day off in practice it really shows, and it shows that maybe someone else deserves that slot.

On what Trey Lyles brings that they are missing without him

Well, he brings you a 6-10 skilled player that can be a matchup issue for the other team, because he can play 3, he can play 4. Just a skilled player. We've gotten by without him. He's gonna get you some rebounds, he can shoot the jumpshot, he can put the ball on the floor. He's a matchup problem like Darius Miller was. He's bigger than Darius, but that was always the things with Darius, that if you played him at the 3, he was smaller, he could go by a bigger 4. So, just matchups.

On if there is a previous opponent that reminds him of LSU's big men

Probably a little bit like Kansas, their bigs. Although, probably size-wise, but these two kids can both shoot the ball. They're very, very effective from 17 feet and in. Not prolific three-point shooters -- (Jarrell) Martin will shoot a couple a game -- but from 17 and in they're really, really good, they're really, really effective and shoot a high percentage at that range. So that's different. They can play high-low and play some post-up game, but yet the can catch, turn and face out on the perimeter and be able to shoot the basketball.

On if there is added challenge playing another road game after going to Florida

No. I mean, I've been here six years and every game that we've been on the road has been the same way, except last year when we went to LSU and it was the ice storm. They're always sold out. And I think this is the first sellout there since 2006. They're excited for it. And I think our kids like playing on the road some, too. So far they've done a pretty good job on the road.

On if Karl-Anthony Towns is hitting his stride

He's playing with confidence. The thing that impresses us the most is that he's coming up with tough plays, tough rebounds, second-chance points, being a little stronger in the post, not settling for fadeaways and weak shots. You know, last game against Florida was a bonus when he was hitting that 15-, 17-footer, but when he shot those shots he was aggressive, he jumped on them; they weren't tippy-toe shots. And he had it going and knocked down his free throws.

On how Jordan Mickey's shot blocking impacts LSU's defense

Well, it's a little bit like us. We're just not blocking as many shots as we had been earlier in the year. We don't know why that is but we have to get back to it. But one thing you can't do against a shotblocker is change your game. You have to be aggressive in taking it to the basket and play through contact. But he has an extraordinary talent, you can tell. And not only does he block shots, but he keeps them in play for the most part, too.

On the team's edge/mentality right now after the Florida game

Obviously we're really happy with the win at Florida. We were off yesterday, so we're just getting ready to back to practice now, so this is our first practice since the game. They've been really level-headed all year. It doesn't seem like a whole lot affects them. We're going to put in a great game plan today for LSU tomorrow, practice, get on the plane and go down and get ready to play tomorrow.

On why shot-blocking may not be as good lately

Florida was a little different. They really, really spread the court, and you could tell watching the film afterward that that was their game plan. Our guards have to do a better job of not letting them get straight-line drives to the goal, sort of playing them on their side a little bit. Being spread out, it's tougher to shot-block. We'd rather them drive the ball to the rim than shoot three-point shots. We'll get back after that, I'm sure.

On Keith Hornsby of LSU

I'm really impressed with him. I know he transferred from (UNC) Asheville. When we played down there last year, he was out on the court – you guys probably saw it as well – he worked out for an hour and a half prior to the game. He brings them a toughness, plays really, really hard. That's an overused term, but it just seems from watching the film that he's giving it 100 percent on both ends of the ball. He's their best perimeter shooter. Anytime you can add a double-digit scorer to a team with two guys like Mickey and Martin, it's very helpful.

On Karl Towns and John Calipari saying it's been a long season and team has been getting two days off each week

We gave them off Sunday after the game Saturday, and what we will typically do is on the other day, is show film, do some individual work and get a lift in. But it's keeping them off their legs a little bit and cutting back, especially this time of year.

On if coaches also feel fatigued this time of year

If you're not at this time of year … it's a long season. We hope it continues a lot longer, but every coach in the country is in the same position right now. We're just getting ready for the next game.

On if he's seen Trey Lyles today

I have not seen Trey today. I'll see him here when we go into practice.