March 19, 2025 • 22 mins
Welcome to episode eleven of Behind Kentucky Basketball presented by UK Federal Credit Union! Georgia Amoore & Dazia Lawrence sit down with Michelle Knezovic to discuss how they got to Kentucky and how this years team chemistry has blossomed. Tune in as we dive into these topics and more on this episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball.
Presented by: UK Federal Credit Union
Presented by: UK Federal Credit Union
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You just say the first teammate that comes to mind,
and then you can explain, or you don't have to explain.
You're ready, Okay, who is the funniest Amelia?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Yeah, so I've never really peanut butter and jelly. I'm
sorry that that's such a weird combination.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
See, and that's probably the most popular.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
I mean growing up you too, probably right, uncrustables every day.
Never Yeah, so what would be the go to sandwich
in Austrich Like you're going to school, what's in lunch?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
What's in your lunch?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
So for me, peanut butter, just peanut butter.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Just how exciting exhilarating is it when not only you
get a huge defensive stop or a block, or you
see one of your teammates, one of you get one
during a game.
Speaker 6 (00:55):
It Yeah, it's super fun, just like to see the emotion, like,
you know, we work so hard, so like just seeing
like all those things like you know, come with you know,
each game getting better and better.
Speaker 5 (01:08):
I think it's it's super fun.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Welcome into Behind Kentucky Basketball, a special edition this week.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Kentucky Women's basketball is in the house today.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
The front court Amelia Hassett Tianni Key and Clara Strack
the Triplets, as coach Brooks likes to say, ladies, welcome
to our new studio.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Okay, So I need to ask first. He always calls
you all the triplets. Obviously you three played together in
the front court. But how did this come to be?
How did the nickname come to be? I mean, I
know there's three of you, you're all tall, right, But
was there any specific moment where he just said, oh,
the triplets impaired you all together?
Speaker 6 (02:00):
I think it was like we were like going over
our schemes or something defensively and we all just like
ended up switching everything.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (02:08):
I think it was when he realized we could all
just like honestly, all of us could play whichever position,
the three of us.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So I think like that and has that kind of
been like I don't know, You're motto is not the
correct word, but you're kind of like three's a pack,
Like you're in a pack of.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Three people refer to you.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
You have been killing it on the boards indefensively this year.
How fun has it been to slowly but surely get
to know each other because you all just met this
summer and now we're January. Midway through January, you're four
and oh in the SEC fifteen and one overall, and
you guys have had.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Some quite some success early on the season.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, I think it's been really fun, like all of
us playing together and now everyone knowing that just the triplet,
so it's kind of stop and we just went along
with it, and yeah, it's just fun to play with
each other.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
So, Clara, I know you were with Coach Brooks at
Virginia Tech for one year, then you come to Kentucky.
I kind of want to ask all of you about
maybe what was that first impression from Coach Brooks, But
Clara will start with you, just because you already had
a year with him. So what was that like when
he recruited you to Virginia Tech and then when you
got to come with Coach Brooks?
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Like what is so special about him and why you
love playing for him?
Speaker 7 (03:22):
Yeah, I think I really chose him, like in the
beginning because of the way he tried to form a connection,
Like in the recruiting process. I think he tried, like
he probably recruited me like the most and like tried
the hardest to form that connection with me and with
my family, So I think that was in the beginning,
and then coming here was just a no brain decision.
Like I think it was just made the most sense.
(03:43):
I know that he was looking for my best interests
and he has trusted me for this program, so I
have to have trust.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
In him, and then Amelia will go with you.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, obviously, same type of thing, Like it was a
very easy decision, like seeing Coach Brooks and how his
relationships with the coaching staff but also like the players
and like just seeing that and him just having so
much knowledge about possible really just yeah, sold it for
me too.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I hate to say the same thing, but it really
is that simple, like just his connections, you know, wanting
to form connections with me, my family and stuff like that,
and you know, yeah, he's just knowledge, very confident.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I think when I spoke with Coach Rats earlier this season,
she referred to him as a cool uncle. And I
mean by the way he dresses. The shoe collection. I mean,
you ladies, see, I'm sure every day probably a new
pair of sneakers from him.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
But he kind of has like swagger. Do you feel
like cool uncle is fair?
Speaker 8 (04:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I think so yeah, I'm definitely sagging.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
I like that.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
I think I think he would approve, right.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Okay, so out of your coaches, obviously he has great shoes.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
I mean, is he does he have the best shoe collection?
Coaches and team? Do you have the best shoe collection?
Speaker 8 (05:02):
He does a lot.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, but also I feel Georgia for sure.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
What do you guys have a favorite shoe that you
like playing in or like? I know the Sabrinas are
really popular. Do you have a favorite one that you
guys like playing in.
Speaker 7 (05:18):
I've been a fan of Sabrinas this season, but I
never I've never really had like a favorite one in
my life.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Yeah, I like the Sabrinas.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
All Right, you guys ready to do some superlatives on
your teammates?
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Okay, we're gonna Basically, it's just a segment where you
just say the first teammate that comes to mind, and
then you can explain or you.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Don't have to explain.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
You're ready, Okay, who is the funniest Amelia?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
I can't say yourself? Best style.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Mm Hmmiani, Yeah style is really nice.
Speaker 6 (06:06):
Yeah, I say Amelia or Georgia Like Clara, I'd say
either or Amelia.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
Honestly, I think.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
They have a lot of clothes that helps, right, that helps,
best shoes.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
I know we kind of talked about that, Georgia. Yeah,
best cook or who you would trust to cook you
a meal.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
That's hard.
Speaker 8 (06:32):
I feel like I would trust d mm hmm.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yeah, I feel like I feel like she'ld be a
good cook.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
She's one of the older ones, so you know, she's
not so much in the call on her.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Way out of college saying right, okay, Amelia, being from Australia,
what maybe food or dish has been introduced to you
that you think is unique?
Speaker 4 (06:57):
I could say maybe to the American culture.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Like fast food or whatever comes to my.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Fast food, or something that we pair together that you
would never see.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Actually, so I've never really peanut butter and jelly. I'm sorry.
That's such a weird combination.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
See, and that's probably the most popular.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I mean, growing up you two probably right on crustables
every day. Never Yeah, so what would be the go
to sandwich in Austrich Like you're going to school, what's
in lunch?
Speaker 4 (07:32):
What's in your lunch?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
So for me, peanut butter, just peanut butter, I'm sorry.
Speaker 8 (07:41):
Yeah, nice.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Okay, So, now has there been something like food that
you miss that she told you that You're like, you
guys eat that like a weird combination or anything.
Speaker 5 (07:53):
I think it have to be the meat pies, right, yeah. Yeah,
have you guys tried that scary?
Speaker 4 (07:58):
No, you haven't given them any of your call any
tries anything.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (08:03):
She made me one thing. She made me a dessert.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
The Rocky Road.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Okay, explain, Amelia, explain, explain so.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Over Christmas, Like this is a very like common sort
of dessert and I couldn't find the exact like ingredients,
but it's like chocolate with like marshmallows in it, like
not normally you have like little like a bit of fruit,
maybe some raspberry or something, and you melt the chocolate
(08:35):
and kind of put it in all together and then
put it in the fridge like a little slide. That
sounds good.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
I dessert. I think everybody can get behind that one.
Speaker 8 (08:44):
That one.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Okay, what about most likely to pick you up if
your car broke down, like your your car breaks down
on the side of the road in Lexington.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Who are you calling first?
Speaker 5 (08:56):
Probably Jordan?
Speaker 4 (08:58):
J Yeah, yeah, shout out Jordan. That's a good team.
That's a good team. We've all been there once or twice.
Most likely to be asleep before eight pm. Yeah, not
you guys.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Okay, so you guys, you guys get to Lexington, you know,
you're kind of thrown in the.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Whole new team. You get to know each other.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I mean talking to you now, and I talked to
you all a couple months months ago when you first
got to campus, and just the chemistry you all have
been able to build, Like, I think it truly shines
through watching you guys play, having you guys sit here.
How fun has it been to just become not only
great teammates together, but really friends. I think that really
shows through that you guys all all are actually friends.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
Yeah, I mean I think it's really fun.
Speaker 7 (09:53):
I think when you can play with each other and
have that chemistry just makes the game so much more fun.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
It's like, obviously we're going to be in here everyday
practicing and playing games.
Speaker 7 (10:02):
So if it's not fun, then why are you Why
are you doing it?
Speaker 8 (10:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
I definitely agree, like that bond off the court definitely
like goes on the court as well, Like and yeah,
it just makes everything so much fun, Like you want
to go to practice. You want to play the games
with each other. You just want to be with each other. Yeah,
as much as you can.
Speaker 8 (10:21):
You want to play for each other like all of that.
Speaker 5 (10:23):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Okay, I'm gonna play a clip for you guys.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
This was an ESPN.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Clip about how dominant you three have been defensively this season.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
So I just want you to listen and we'll debrief after. Okay,
get it right back to the beginning.
Speaker 9 (10:39):
Okay, ready, Yeah, But then more importantly, you've got two
players inside. I mean, we got to talk about Keys
and Strike. I thought they did a phenomenal job of
just being that go to player offensively, but being but
having that defensive presence as well.
Speaker 10 (10:53):
Yeah, you look at what Strake's able to do. You
look at what Tiani Key is able to do from
a blocking standpoint. We talked a lot last week about
how Kentucky's defense so beautifully lends itself to them being
able to score points offensively? Is the defense maybe the
most under talked about element of this team, given how
fun it is to watch the scoring.
Speaker 9 (11:12):
It's so funny you said that because I actually said
we need to talk about their defensive ability to just
disrupt teams, and that they were able to take a
very talented Gaston out of her flow. They've been able
to do so onconsistently, but Shue.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
I'm going to play one more, Foye.
Speaker 9 (11:28):
But more importantly, this is the best interior defensive team
in the league. They're leading the SEC now with seven blocks.
Today they had eight, yep, but off of those turnovers,
off of their defense ramping up, they were able to
convert into transition baskets and score nineteen of their eight.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
But more important, one of the top defensive teams in
the country. How exciting exhilarating is it when not only
you get a huge defensive stop or a block, or
you see one of your teammates one of you get
one during a game.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Oh, it's lit. Yeah, it's so it's super fun.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
Just like to see the emotion, like, you know, we
work so hard, so like just seeing like all those
things like you know come with you know, each game
getting better and better.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
I think it's it's super fun.
Speaker 8 (12:19):
Yeah, I would agree.
Speaker 7 (12:20):
I think we focused a lot on defense and like
the preseason and stuff, so I think seeing that like
play out for as well is really exciting.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
I think so too. It's so fun, like just you
get driven, like someone drives past you. And then yes, what.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
About when you rewatch the highlight video you see it
on social media after the game, like you know, in
the moment, like it was it was a game changing moment,
you know, the energy, like you said, it was lit
in the moment, But to then maybe after the game,
get to watch it and see maybe what it what
it did to change the momentum of the game, Like
(12:57):
is it cool to watch it back?
Speaker 6 (12:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (12:59):
I think so.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
I think it's yeah, yeah, because it's like some of them,
I'm like, how like in the moment, it makes sense,
like going back is just like oh wow, how that's
actually like really good.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
You prove yourself right.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
All right, listen, everybody, we need to take a brief
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(13:36):
by one of their seven local branches to open an
account today federally insured by NCUA. Do you guys think
it's an underrated aspect of your game? I mean you
talk about, you know, how much success you've had on
the offense, but maybe just defense as a whole, it
can be underrated. Just when people talk about basketball, right,
everybody wants to talk about a fast offense shooting threes.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
But the presence that you guys have on the defensive end.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Yeah, I think it's major.
Speaker 6 (14:02):
And I think that like helps us a lot too offensively,
you know, just like like I guess in the video
said like leading into transition and stuff like that, Like
that's a big part of our game too, So I
think it helps a lot just all around, Like even
with the chemistry, like knowing we have each other's back,
knowing we can like push you in transition, or if
somebody gets beat, somebody will block it and then somebody
(14:24):
will be out there, you know, like it makes it
really fun.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Well, you talk about kind of the points in transition.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
How has it been for you three to play with
veterans in Dasia, Lawrence and in Georgia Amore, you know,
just them having so many reps at the college level,
being able to see a play develop or catch you
at the under the other end of the court, you know,
hitting a layup or something like that.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
What has that been like for you three.
Speaker 7 (14:50):
Yeah, I think it's like, I think it's exciting. I
think it's fun. I think we all know, like if
we run up and transition, like they're gonna find us,
like they always are gonna reward us for like the
work that we put in on the other end.
Speaker 8 (15:01):
So I think that's really fun.
Speaker 7 (15:02):
And I think just as we like learn to play
more with each other, it's like even more exciting because
we're all just like starting to know like where each
other are going to be.
Speaker 8 (15:09):
So I think it's been really exciting with that.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Yeah, No, definitely, I agree. Like I feel like they
just know, like they know that you're gonna run to
the basketital you're gonna run to the three point line,
Like they know exactly what you're gonna be. So it's
just like you make that eye contact, like we watch
and make eye contact in the jets on until it
gets a wide open layups.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
I like that the jets are on, Amelia.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
I think I'm gonna say that in my head when
I see a play developed like that if you too
on the.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Park over the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I mean, I've already mentioned the success that you guys
have had, but do you feel like maybe you've been
able to play a little looser just because you've kind
of gotten to know, like you mentioned gaining the chemistry
with Georgia and Dasia in the back court, it almost
allows you to have plays like that where you can
kind of have this this eye contact or this this
nonverbal hey.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
Like I know what's gonna happen next, like reading each
other's minds. Almost.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Yeah, I think that's like that's like just as you.
Speaker 6 (16:07):
Said it, like reading each other's mind and just like
learning each other, like knowing like in transition, like where
mill will be or like where Claire is, you know,
like stuff like that. It makes it flow really really well.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, I think it makes it flow so easy, Like
even like you can just like watch us and like
it's just fun. Like even being at there just makes
it so much fun, Like just having that chemistry with
the girls and like just knowing like we really do
play together and we really do play for each other.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
And the first year in Historic Memorial Colisseum I mean,
I don't know if you guys saw pictures of Memorial
Coliseum or played had an opportunity to play in it before,
but I mean the drastic change to the arena and
then just the consistent I mean fans showing up and
obviously as you've gotten into conference play, you know what
a home court arena can do. When you played your
(16:58):
first rivalry game against Louisville, do you feel like maybe
that was the first glimpse into Big Blue Nation and
the way they they back their basketball teams.
Speaker 8 (17:08):
Yeah, I think for sure.
Speaker 7 (17:09):
I think when we saw that like turn out for
that louvill game, I think it showed us like if
we keep like doing what we're supposed to do and
we keep being successful, I think it shows like how
much Big Nation will really like support us and can
come out for us.
Speaker 8 (17:23):
So I mean that's exciting. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
And I've and I've noticed you guys have like foul
shot songs. Now do you know about this?
Speaker 8 (17:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (17:32):
And you guys get to choose these.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
I think I think it's our big Blue mana songs. Right,
But then did you hear George?
Speaker 7 (17:39):
Oh yeah, I did not know about this.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Clara was lost in.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
So I noticed it because Amelia, like you said, I
turned and all I hear is George and I started
laughing because it's just so perfect. But I mean she was,
she was, I mean, and make both of our foul
shots of course, right. But okay, so you didn't you
guys didn't know about these or you did kind of
kind of yeah, okay, so we'll just do if you
had to pick one song, I'll put you on the spot.
(18:10):
Now that could be an alternate one or one that
one that you would you would sing both the shots
or three or three shots.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
That's a really hard question.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Yeah, yeah, I feel like I would keep mine the same.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
You're literally perfect.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Yeah, that's perfect. Clara's okay, Claria?
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Are we going like country? Are we going pop? Are
we going rap pop? Trying to think about New York one?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I don't know, that wouldn't be a good one to
be a.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
Good one, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
Maybe maybe something with a key.
Speaker 6 (18:53):
Song with the key what's the D like I got
the keys?
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I think that those are three, three perfect perfect songs. Okay,
So now I kind of want to transition into you
guys kind of have a little mini buy as you
transition into some.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
More SEC play. What have you maybe learned about the conference?
What are you?
Speaker 1 (19:15):
What arena? Maybe are you excited to play in? And
we'll just start with those two if you want to
start to see.
Speaker 8 (19:20):
Me oh.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
Hard questions.
Speaker 6 (19:26):
What I've learned about the SEC really is like just
getting more of a feel for the style of play,
like like the with the aggressiveness of some of the teams,
like defensively and like offensively. It's all been you know,
obviously a little different, but good. I think like it's
been different, but we've justed well, like you just very
(19:48):
pretty quickly, I would say so. But about the arenas,
I don't know what.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Are I mean, it's rebably cool for you guys just
because you see a different one or a different city. Yeah,
I mean you've been in you guys are in the
ACC and like traveling. It's just all different arenas that
you get to check out.
Speaker 7 (20:03):
Yeah, I would say that it's just kind of the
competitive nature is something learning. Like it's obviously super competitive
league and very physical, so I think that's just something
that we've been learning.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
And then I couldn't pick an arena. I have never
been to any.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Of them, so all of them we know there you go.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Yeah, yeah, I think it's just like obviously the SEC
is such a tough conference, so just knowing that every
game is you have to you have to come out
like there's no like break game or like easy game.
I guess people say, but yeah, in the physicality and
everything within that.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
Yeah, because the teams they like don't quit.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
Yeah, You'll be up to like twenty or thirty or
something and they'll they're still like acting like it's zero zero.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
On the gas, don't let up, don't let the so okay.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Well, and it was something fun.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
A favorite player that you watched growing up or is
in the WNB now that you try to maybe aim
your game after, or just somebody that you've loved watching
to play.
Speaker 7 (21:05):
I'd say like current or like just this last season
was like Asia Wilson.
Speaker 8 (21:10):
I don't really know growing up, but that was my
current one for this past season.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
She's coming out with a shoe.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
Yeah, oh wow, Yes, yeah, I would say the same.
Aza for sure, she's a beast. Even Brianna Stewart a little.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Bit brown a store, well, I would say back harm.
It would probably be Lauren Jackson, like I got to
play with her for a season which was like so cool,
like she's just something else, like she is insane, so
that was really cool.
Speaker 4 (21:40):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Well, girls, thank you so much for coming on the
podcast today and good luck with the rest of the season.
I know BBN is going to pack Historic Memorial Colseum,
and good luck with the rest of sec play. Thank
you well another episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball women's Basketball Audition.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
Thank you for joining us, ladies, and we'll see you
next week. Hello and Sello, heello, Sello.
You just say the first teammate that comes to mind,
and then you can explain, or you don't have to explain.
You're ready, Okay, who is the funniest Amelia?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Yeah, so I've never really peanut butter and jelly. I'm
sorry that that's such a weird combination.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
See, and that's probably the most popular.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
I mean growing up you too, probably right, uncrustables every day.
Never Yeah, so what would be the go to sandwich
in Austrich Like you're going to school, what's in lunch?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
What's in your lunch?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
So for me, peanut butter, just peanut butter.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Just how exciting exhilarating is it when not only you
get a huge defensive stop or a block, or you
see one of your teammates, one of you get one
during a game.
Speaker 6 (00:55):
It Yeah, it's super fun, just like to see the emotion, like,
you know, we work so hard, so like just seeing
like all those things like you know, come with you know,
each game getting better and better.
Speaker 5 (01:08):
I think it's it's super fun.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Welcome into Behind Kentucky Basketball, a special edition this week.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Kentucky Women's basketball is in the house today.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
The front court Amelia Hassett Tianni Key and Clara Strack
the Triplets, as coach Brooks likes to say, ladies, welcome
to our new studio.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Okay, So I need to ask first. He always calls
you all the triplets. Obviously you three played together in
the front court. But how did this come to be?
How did the nickname come to be? I mean, I
know there's three of you, you're all tall, right, But
was there any specific moment where he just said, oh,
the triplets impaired you all together?
Speaker 6 (02:00):
I think it was like we were like going over
our schemes or something defensively and we all just like
ended up switching everything.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (02:08):
I think it was when he realized we could all
just like honestly, all of us could play whichever position,
the three of us.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So I think like that and has that kind of
been like I don't know, You're motto is not the
correct word, but you're kind of like three's a pack,
Like you're in a pack of.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Three people refer to you.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
You have been killing it on the boards indefensively this year.
How fun has it been to slowly but surely get
to know each other because you all just met this
summer and now we're January. Midway through January, you're four
and oh in the SEC fifteen and one overall, and
you guys have had.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Some quite some success early on the season.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, I think it's been really fun, like all of
us playing together and now everyone knowing that just the triplet,
so it's kind of stop and we just went along
with it, and yeah, it's just fun to play with
each other.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
So, Clara, I know you were with Coach Brooks at
Virginia Tech for one year, then you come to Kentucky.
I kind of want to ask all of you about
maybe what was that first impression from Coach Brooks, But
Clara will start with you, just because you already had
a year with him. So what was that like when
he recruited you to Virginia Tech and then when you
got to come with Coach Brooks?
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Like what is so special about him and why you
love playing for him?
Speaker 7 (03:22):
Yeah, I think I really chose him, like in the
beginning because of the way he tried to form a connection,
Like in the recruiting process. I think he tried, like
he probably recruited me like the most and like tried
the hardest to form that connection with me and with
my family, So I think that was in the beginning,
and then coming here was just a no brain decision.
Like I think it was just made the most sense.
(03:43):
I know that he was looking for my best interests
and he has trusted me for this program, so I
have to have trust.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
In him, and then Amelia will go with you.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, obviously, same type of thing, Like it was a
very easy decision, like seeing Coach Brooks and how his
relationships with the coaching staff but also like the players
and like just seeing that and him just having so
much knowledge about possible really just yeah, sold it for
me too.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I hate to say the same thing, but it really
is that simple, like just his connections, you know, wanting
to form connections with me, my family and stuff like that,
and you know, yeah, he's just knowledge, very confident.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I think when I spoke with Coach Rats earlier this season,
she referred to him as a cool uncle. And I
mean by the way he dresses. The shoe collection. I mean,
you ladies, see, I'm sure every day probably a new
pair of sneakers from him.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
But he kind of has like swagger. Do you feel
like cool uncle is fair?
Speaker 8 (04:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I think so yeah, I'm definitely sagging.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
I like that.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
I think I think he would approve, right.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Okay, so out of your coaches, obviously he has great shoes.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
I mean, is he does he have the best shoe collection?
Coaches and team? Do you have the best shoe collection?
Speaker 8 (05:02):
He does a lot.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, but also I feel Georgia for sure.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
What do you guys have a favorite shoe that you
like playing in or like? I know the Sabrinas are
really popular. Do you have a favorite one that you
guys like playing in.
Speaker 7 (05:18):
I've been a fan of Sabrinas this season, but I
never I've never really had like a favorite one in
my life.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Yeah, I like the Sabrinas.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
All Right, you guys ready to do some superlatives on
your teammates?
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Okay, we're gonna Basically, it's just a segment where you
just say the first teammate that comes to mind, and
then you can explain or you.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Don't have to explain.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
You're ready, Okay, who is the funniest Amelia?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
I can't say yourself? Best style.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Mm Hmmiani, Yeah style is really nice.
Speaker 6 (06:06):
Yeah, I say Amelia or Georgia Like Clara, I'd say
either or Amelia.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
Honestly, I think.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
They have a lot of clothes that helps, right, that helps,
best shoes.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
I know we kind of talked about that, Georgia. Yeah,
best cook or who you would trust to cook you
a meal.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
That's hard.
Speaker 8 (06:32):
I feel like I would trust d mm hmm.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yeah, I feel like I feel like she'ld be a
good cook.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
She's one of the older ones, so you know, she's
not so much in the call on her.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Way out of college saying right, okay, Amelia, being from Australia,
what maybe food or dish has been introduced to you
that you think is unique?
Speaker 4 (06:57):
I could say maybe to the American culture.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Like fast food or whatever comes to my.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Fast food, or something that we pair together that you
would never see.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Actually, so I've never really peanut butter and jelly. I'm sorry.
That's such a weird combination.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
See, and that's probably the most popular.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I mean, growing up you two probably right on crustables
every day. Never Yeah, so what would be the go
to sandwich in Austrich Like you're going to school, what's
in lunch?
Speaker 4 (07:32):
What's in your lunch?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
So for me, peanut butter, just peanut butter, I'm sorry.
Speaker 8 (07:41):
Yeah, nice.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Okay, So, now has there been something like food that
you miss that she told you that You're like, you
guys eat that like a weird combination or anything.
Speaker 5 (07:53):
I think it have to be the meat pies, right, yeah. Yeah,
have you guys tried that scary?
Speaker 4 (07:58):
No, you haven't given them any of your call any
tries anything.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (08:03):
She made me one thing. She made me a dessert.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
The Rocky Road.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Okay, explain, Amelia, explain, explain so.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Over Christmas, Like this is a very like common sort
of dessert and I couldn't find the exact like ingredients,
but it's like chocolate with like marshmallows in it, like
not normally you have like little like a bit of fruit,
maybe some raspberry or something, and you melt the chocolate
(08:35):
and kind of put it in all together and then
put it in the fridge like a little slide. That
sounds good.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
I dessert. I think everybody can get behind that one.
Speaker 8 (08:44):
That one.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Okay, what about most likely to pick you up if
your car broke down, like your your car breaks down
on the side of the road in Lexington.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Who are you calling first?
Speaker 5 (08:56):
Probably Jordan?
Speaker 4 (08:58):
J Yeah, yeah, shout out Jordan. That's a good team.
That's a good team. We've all been there once or twice.
Most likely to be asleep before eight pm. Yeah, not
you guys.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Okay, so you guys, you guys get to Lexington, you know,
you're kind of thrown in the.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Whole new team. You get to know each other.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I mean talking to you now, and I talked to
you all a couple months months ago when you first
got to campus, and just the chemistry you all have
been able to build, Like, I think it truly shines
through watching you guys play, having you guys sit here.
How fun has it been to just become not only
great teammates together, but really friends. I think that really
shows through that you guys all all are actually friends.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
Yeah, I mean I think it's really fun.
Speaker 7 (09:53):
I think when you can play with each other and
have that chemistry just makes the game so much more fun.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
It's like, obviously we're going to be in here everyday
practicing and playing games.
Speaker 7 (10:02):
So if it's not fun, then why are you Why
are you doing it?
Speaker 8 (10:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
I definitely agree, like that bond off the court definitely
like goes on the court as well, Like and yeah,
it just makes everything so much fun, Like you want
to go to practice. You want to play the games
with each other. You just want to be with each other. Yeah,
as much as you can.
Speaker 8 (10:21):
You want to play for each other like all of that.
Speaker 5 (10:23):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Okay, I'm gonna play a clip for you guys.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
This was an ESPN.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Clip about how dominant you three have been defensively this season.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
So I just want you to listen and we'll debrief after. Okay,
get it right back to the beginning.
Speaker 9 (10:39):
Okay, ready, Yeah, But then more importantly, you've got two
players inside. I mean, we got to talk about Keys
and Strike. I thought they did a phenomenal job of
just being that go to player offensively, but being but
having that defensive presence as well.
Speaker 10 (10:53):
Yeah, you look at what Strake's able to do. You
look at what Tiani Key is able to do from
a blocking standpoint. We talked a lot last week about
how Kentucky's defense so beautifully lends itself to them being
able to score points offensively? Is the defense maybe the
most under talked about element of this team, given how
fun it is to watch the scoring.
Speaker 9 (11:12):
It's so funny you said that because I actually said
we need to talk about their defensive ability to just
disrupt teams, and that they were able to take a
very talented Gaston out of her flow. They've been able
to do so onconsistently, but Shue.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
I'm going to play one more, Foye.
Speaker 9 (11:28):
But more importantly, this is the best interior defensive team
in the league. They're leading the SEC now with seven blocks.
Today they had eight, yep, but off of those turnovers,
off of their defense ramping up, they were able to
convert into transition baskets and score nineteen of their eight.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
But more important, one of the top defensive teams in
the country. How exciting exhilarating is it when not only
you get a huge defensive stop or a block, or
you see one of your teammates one of you get
one during a game.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Oh, it's lit. Yeah, it's so it's super fun.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
Just like to see the emotion, like, you know, we
work so hard, so like just seeing like all those
things like you know come with you know, each game
getting better and better.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
I think it's it's super fun.
Speaker 8 (12:19):
Yeah, I would agree.
Speaker 7 (12:20):
I think we focused a lot on defense and like
the preseason and stuff, so I think seeing that like
play out for as well is really exciting.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
I think so too. It's so fun, like just you
get driven, like someone drives past you. And then yes, what.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
About when you rewatch the highlight video you see it
on social media after the game, like you know, in
the moment, like it was it was a game changing moment,
you know, the energy, like you said, it was lit
in the moment, But to then maybe after the game,
get to watch it and see maybe what it what
it did to change the momentum of the game, Like
(12:57):
is it cool to watch it back?
Speaker 6 (12:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (12:59):
I think so.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
I think it's yeah, yeah, because it's like some of them,
I'm like, how like in the moment, it makes sense,
like going back is just like oh wow, how that's
actually like really good.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
You prove yourself right.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
All right, listen, everybody, we need to take a brief
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as the official credit union of the University of Kentucky.
UKFCU understands that students need support, and that's why they've
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(13:36):
by one of their seven local branches to open an
account today federally insured by NCUA. Do you guys think
it's an underrated aspect of your game? I mean you
talk about, you know, how much success you've had on
the offense, but maybe just defense as a whole, it
can be underrated. Just when people talk about basketball, right,
everybody wants to talk about a fast offense shooting threes.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
But the presence that you guys have on the defensive end.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Yeah, I think it's major.
Speaker 6 (14:02):
And I think that like helps us a lot too offensively,
you know, just like like I guess in the video
said like leading into transition and stuff like that, Like
that's a big part of our game too, So I
think it helps a lot just all around, Like even
with the chemistry, like knowing we have each other's back,
knowing we can like push you in transition, or if
somebody gets beat, somebody will block it and then somebody
(14:24):
will be out there, you know, like it makes it
really fun.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Well, you talk about kind of the points in transition.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
How has it been for you three to play with
veterans in Dasia, Lawrence and in Georgia Amore, you know,
just them having so many reps at the college level,
being able to see a play develop or catch you
at the under the other end of the court, you know,
hitting a layup or something like that.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
What has that been like for you three.
Speaker 7 (14:50):
Yeah, I think it's like, I think it's exciting. I
think it's fun. I think we all know, like if
we run up and transition, like they're gonna find us,
like they always are gonna reward us for like the
work that we put in on the other end.
Speaker 8 (15:01):
So I think that's really fun.
Speaker 7 (15:02):
And I think just as we like learn to play
more with each other, it's like even more exciting because
we're all just like starting to know like where each
other are going to be.
Speaker 8 (15:09):
So I think it's been really exciting with that.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Yeah, No, definitely, I agree. Like I feel like they
just know, like they know that you're gonna run to
the basketital you're gonna run to the three point line,
Like they know exactly what you're gonna be. So it's
just like you make that eye contact, like we watch
and make eye contact in the jets on until it
gets a wide open layups.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
I like that the jets are on, Amelia.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
I think I'm gonna say that in my head when
I see a play developed like that if you too
on the.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Park over the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
I mean, I've already mentioned the success that you guys
have had, but do you feel like maybe you've been
able to play a little looser just because you've kind
of gotten to know, like you mentioned gaining the chemistry
with Georgia and Dasia in the back court, it almost
allows you to have plays like that where you can
kind of have this this eye contact or this this
nonverbal hey.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
Like I know what's gonna happen next, like reading each
other's minds. Almost.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Yeah, I think that's like that's like just as you.
Speaker 6 (16:07):
Said it, like reading each other's mind and just like
learning each other, like knowing like in transition, like where
mill will be or like where Claire is, you know,
like stuff like that. It makes it flow really really well.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, I think it makes it flow so easy, Like
even like you can just like watch us and like
it's just fun. Like even being at there just makes
it so much fun, Like just having that chemistry with
the girls and like just knowing like we really do
play together and we really do play for each other.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
And the first year in Historic Memorial Colisseum I mean,
I don't know if you guys saw pictures of Memorial
Coliseum or played had an opportunity to play in it before,
but I mean the drastic change to the arena and
then just the consistent I mean fans showing up and
obviously as you've gotten into conference play, you know what
a home court arena can do. When you played your
(16:58):
first rivalry game against Louisville, do you feel like maybe
that was the first glimpse into Big Blue Nation and
the way they they back their basketball teams.
Speaker 8 (17:08):
Yeah, I think for sure.
Speaker 7 (17:09):
I think when we saw that like turn out for
that louvill game, I think it showed us like if
we keep like doing what we're supposed to do and
we keep being successful, I think it shows like how
much Big Nation will really like support us and can
come out for us.
Speaker 8 (17:23):
So I mean that's exciting. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
And I've and I've noticed you guys have like foul
shot songs. Now do you know about this?
Speaker 8 (17:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (17:32):
And you guys get to choose these.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
I think I think it's our big Blue mana songs. Right,
But then did you hear George?
Speaker 7 (17:39):
Oh yeah, I did not know about this.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Clara was lost in.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
So I noticed it because Amelia, like you said, I
turned and all I hear is George and I started
laughing because it's just so perfect. But I mean she was,
she was, I mean, and make both of our foul
shots of course, right. But okay, so you didn't you
guys didn't know about these or you did kind of
kind of yeah, okay, so we'll just do if you
had to pick one song, I'll put you on the spot.
(18:10):
Now that could be an alternate one or one that
one that you would you would sing both the shots
or three or three shots.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
That's a really hard question.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Yeah, yeah, I feel like I would keep mine the same.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
You're literally perfect.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Yeah, that's perfect. Clara's okay, Claria?
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Are we going like country? Are we going pop? Are
we going rap pop? Trying to think about New York one?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I don't know, that wouldn't be a good one to
be a.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
Good one, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
Maybe maybe something with a key.
Speaker 6 (18:53):
Song with the key what's the D like I got
the keys?
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I think that those are three, three perfect perfect songs. Okay,
So now I kind of want to transition into you
guys kind of have a little mini buy as you
transition into some.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
More SEC play. What have you maybe learned about the conference?
What are you?
Speaker 1 (19:15):
What arena? Maybe are you excited to play in? And
we'll just start with those two if you want to
start to see.
Speaker 8 (19:20):
Me oh.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
Hard questions.
Speaker 6 (19:26):
What I've learned about the SEC really is like just
getting more of a feel for the style of play,
like like the with the aggressiveness of some of the teams,
like defensively and like offensively. It's all been you know,
obviously a little different, but good. I think like it's
been different, but we've justed well, like you just very
(19:48):
pretty quickly, I would say so. But about the arenas,
I don't know what.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Are I mean, it's rebably cool for you guys just
because you see a different one or a different city. Yeah,
I mean you've been in you guys are in the
ACC and like traveling. It's just all different arenas that
you get to check out.
Speaker 7 (20:03):
Yeah, I would say that it's just kind of the
competitive nature is something learning. Like it's obviously super competitive
league and very physical, so I think that's just something
that we've been learning.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
And then I couldn't pick an arena. I have never
been to any.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Of them, so all of them we know there you go.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Yeah, yeah, I think it's just like obviously the SEC
is such a tough conference, so just knowing that every
game is you have to you have to come out
like there's no like break game or like easy game.
I guess people say, but yeah, in the physicality and
everything within that.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
Yeah, because the teams they like don't quit.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
Yeah, You'll be up to like twenty or thirty or
something and they'll they're still like acting like it's zero zero.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
On the gas, don't let up, don't let the so okay.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Well, and it was something fun.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
A favorite player that you watched growing up or is
in the WNB now that you try to maybe aim
your game after, or just somebody that you've loved watching
to play.
Speaker 7 (21:05):
I'd say like current or like just this last season
was like Asia Wilson.
Speaker 8 (21:10):
I don't really know growing up, but that was my
current one for this past season.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
She's coming out with a shoe.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
Yeah, oh wow, Yes, yeah, I would say the same.
Aza for sure, she's a beast. Even Brianna Stewart a little.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Bit brown a store, well, I would say back harm.
It would probably be Lauren Jackson, like I got to
play with her for a season which was like so cool,
like she's just something else, like she is insane, so
that was really cool.
Speaker 4 (21:40):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Well, girls, thank you so much for coming on the
podcast today and good luck with the rest of the season.
I know BBN is going to pack Historic Memorial Colseum,
and good luck with the rest of sec play. Thank
you well another episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball women's Basketball Audition.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
Thank you for joining us, ladies, and we'll see you
next week. Hello and Sello, heello, Sello.
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