On Tennessee becoming a top ranked team in the country:
“Well I don’t know that rankings matter right now, I don’t. We’ve played two games and other teams have played five, six games. It’s not something we talk about. We talk about getting better. All I will say about rankings is when you have a number in front of your name, it becomes an even bigger game for your opponent because they have a chance to build a resume with it. With that said, our whole philosophy is we’re going to talk about getting better and what do we need to do to improve in every area, every player gets better. Notoriety for our program. Is great notoriety for our players. I think they understand if you’re going to be that kind of opponent you better be ready to bring it every single night and that’s what helps you when you do have that ranking, because if you aren’t tough enough mentally and physically to be ready to play every single night, you’re going to get beat. It’s plain and simple, whether you’ve got a number there or not, but I think the great thing about being a ranked team is to see how guys handle it when you know people are going to give you their best shots night-in and night-out.”
On what E.J. Anosike needs to adjust on offense when going against the better competition:
“One, he needs to slow down a little bit and second, he needs to go back to fighting for his space on the floor to get it where he wants it. He’s going to have to play above the rim. I’m sure he’s used to throwing his body into people, knocking them off and then finishing. He can finish, he’s just got to adjust. It’s a more physical game—and he’s not afraid to be physical, don’t get me wrong, but he’s being guarded in ways he’s never been guarded before night in and night out. I would say for all of those post guys with the exception of Fulky probably, is all about doing your work early. Knowing where you want the ball on the floor. Getting your feet organized and ready to play when you catch the ball as opposed to just standing there wondering what’s next. I think for E.J., Olivier, Uros and all of those guys need to understand that if they get themselves ready to play, especially with the guard penetration we’re getting right now, they’re going to get to do a lot of different things with the ball, because the ball will be passed to them. But, they’ve got to get their feet organized and those three guys are still learning how to do that at a consistent level.”