SEC Men's Basketball Summer Teleconference Quotes

Jim Harrick - Georgia

"I really think our backcourt is solid, with (Rashad) Wright, (Damien) Wilkins, (Jarvis) Hayes, and (Clark) Williams. Hayes has proved to be a solid performer as has Clark Williams. We've got to play small-ball. That's when guys who are 6-7 are playing up front for you. I've played that way before. I don't know if you can win a national championship, but you can certainly be competitive."

(on recruiting) "We have to make alternate plans. We'll have the recruits eventually, we just don't know when. The lifeblood of a program is recruiting. It's tough on them, but it's tough on us too."

(on Rashad Wright) "His overall shot is good. I assigned him this summer to shoot the ball 400 times a day. He's a very diligent, self-disciplined kind of worker, a real good player at the point guard position. He led his team to the top of East."

Dave Odom - South Carolina

"I think our staff should be commended on the job they did with recruiting. I feel good about our class and I think in time, all of those individuals will help us."

(on recruiting) "We got Jarod Gerald from prep school. He is a good solid player and we needed help at the point guard. We signed two players out of the state of Florida and we were fortunate to get both of them. Marcus Morrison is a very good athlete and has a chance to be a good defender while Terance Kinsey is more of a scorer but can do other things as well and did very well in the high school ranks in Florida. Kerbrell Brown is a junior college transfer who we did not plan to sign so late, but we needed a seasoned player. Kerbrell is more of an inside-outside player.

Billy Donovan - Florida

"We've got the majority of out team on campus and going to summer school. Our four seniors are bringing a great deal of experience. This basketball team is working hard and preparing for the upcoming season. Anthony Roberson can score from the perimeter. He can play the point guard spot or the two. He'll add depth to our team. Mario Boggan reminds me of (Udonis) Haslem. I don't know if he can be that good. Matt Walsh is a good ball-handler, a real good passer. We needed to add perimeter guys."

Kevin Stallings - Vanderbilt

"We return Matt Freije who had a good sophomore season. We also return Russell Lakey, who we didn't have for most of the season. Cory Smith started some for us. We really needed his physicality last year. Matt (Freije) has got to do things mentally as well as physically. Consistency, as his body matures, will help him in the low post. He needs to get better defensively, but he's a hard worker, and we're really excited about that this year."

Tubby Smith - Kentucky

"We've got some changes in the lineup. With the loss of Tayshaun Prince, we needed to find someone who can fill his shoes. Brandon Stockton is an excellent freshman who can really play point guard. Antwain Barber is a strictly a point guard, and Gerald Fitch has played some point. We'll look at them and see who can run this team."

(on Keith Bogans) "Last summer he went to the NBA pre-draft camp. He had some things on his mind, and some pressure on him. Now the pressure is off. Keith is a very competitive kid. He just didn't make the shots. They didn't drop. He needs to concentrate, and improve his shot."

Buzz Peterson - Tennessee

"Our main guy coming back is Ron Slay, who we lost for 14 games last year. He has been working hard, and is starting to regain some strength. Ron's return will help us physically, but more so mentally."

(on the small forward position) "I'm interested to see how that pans out. There's a lot of competition. We may go with position-by-committee. I'm excited about all of them. I feel C.J. Watson has the tools. He's been in school this summer. All have been on campus. John Winchester can play the point in a pinch. Those are two Parade All-Americans coming in. Our assistants did a great job putting this class together."

Stan Heath - Arkansas

"We return six seniors. We've added new players, including five freshmen. We're making some strides. It's too early to tell, but my first impression is that we're coming along. The most important thing I want from my guys is work ethic. If we take care of that we'll be okay. As a team, I do think we'll be a team who plays in transition and who executes. We'll be more of a man team. Players won't have that hard of an adjustment. Players are players, and we just need to get on the same page."

John Brady - LSU

"We're in a situation where it's no longer on the coach. It's on the players now. Now if they don't do things consistently, and come to practice competitive, you lose a lot. That's where you make a team, in competitive practices."

(on recruiting) "Tony Gipson gives us something the team doesn't have. He's extremely quick, and extremely quick off the floor. Jaime Lloreda has size and ability to score around the goal. The thing I really like is that he plays every play. He doesn't take a play off. I really like our team."

(on Ronald Dupree) "He continues to improve and play hard. He's proven that he can score and rebound. What I want him to do is not become spoiled. I want him to play his senior year like it was his first."

Mark Gottfried - Alabama

"We need to get consistent play out of our wing play. We'll have a new player replacing (Rod) Grizzard, and then we have Terrance Meade, who needs to step up. Someone needs to step up."

(on the NCAA Tournament) "Last year we played like we hadn't been there in a long time, which we hadn't. It was a new experience for us. Experience is something we hadn't had. We have that now, and hopefully it will help us."

Cliff Ellis - Auburn

"We virtually have all our starters back. We had a young team, a tough year. But, we were able to beat some tough teams. This team has had a year of experience, plus an offseason in the weight room. I really like our team, and I think we can do something."

Rod Barnes - Ole Miss

(on David Sanders) "I would hope that people would recognize what David has done for this team and for this program. His stats speak for themselves. He was awarded the team Most Valuable Player last year. He is one of the better perimeter players in our league. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves."

(on the SEC) "I don't know if you can consider us a sleeper. There are six teams that could win the (West) division. We have a good team. Auburn has a good team. LSU will be much better. I think that they could be the sleeper in our league, and you can never count out Arkansas."

Rick Stansbury - Mississippi State

"The thing that's different about this coming season is that there aren't as many questions. We have experience going in. I like my team, I like our pieces, and I like our kids. I really like the opportunity that we have this season. You look at the backcourt last season and there were questions. All those questions were answered. Derek Zimmerman turned into a complete point guard, and Timmy Bowers has improved himself. If they work together, I think they have a chance to be a very good backcourt.

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