Smith has made two appearances on ESPN shows this week to promote his program and each team has tried to diffuse the impression that UK fans are unhappy with his program. Even Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who brought Smith to Kentucky as an assistant coach, noted on ESPN Wednesday that there was no reason for Smith not to be back.
Smith didn't address his future at Wednesday's press conference. Instead, he talked about what he can do to relieve stress.
"I'm like everybody else involved with Kentucky basketball. It's all consuming and I enjoy it," Smith said. "So me personally, I've got family, plenty of people, I can get away from it and go play golf, or go somewhere else.
"But you're never away from it because it's like any other business. If you have a business or you are a writer, a doctor, you're probably consumed with it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as well. So that's the way it is with me."
Morris named
Kentucky junior center Randolph Morris was named all-SEC first team in voting by the league's coaches. He was the only Kentucky player to make first- or second-team. Each team had nine players.
Morris ranked ninth in the SEC in rebounding at 6.6 in conference games only and 15th in scoring at 13.9 points per game. Overall, he's averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Morris didn't know he had made the team until told by media members after UK's practice.
"I definitely stay in a cave with tunnel vision just focused on playing," Morris laughed and said. "It is an extreme honor. I am thankful for it. I am kind of flabbergasted they would nominate me."
Morris, an Atlanta native, had his parents and two brothers at today's game.
"Nothing big. Just my immediate family," Morris said.
He did enjoy the trip to Atlanta Wednesday.
"I always try to see if I can see my house from the plane. I don't know why, but I just like doing that. I know I'm probably too big to be doing that still, but I like trying to find my house," Morris said.
Smith a fan
Patrick Beverley of Arkansas was named SEC Freshman of the Year Wednesday. However, he impressed UK coach Tubby Smith with more than his play when the Wildcats played at Arkansas.
"For him to come up and introduce himself to me before the game and say how much it was an honor after the game to play against Kentucky and against me, he's a special kid," Smith said. "Not just from a talent standpoint, but he will be probably an All American before he leaves Arkansas. His energy level, he plays hard.
"We've got a couple on our team like that, like Jodie Meeks, that brings a lot of energy. But he seems to have a real passion for the game. When you can come into this league as a freshman and do what he's done, it's outstanding."
Smith said he couldn't recall another player ever introducing himself or saying the things Beverly did to him.
"As soon as we walked into the building, he did it. He was walking to their locker room, and I was walking in. That kind of makes you feel good. It was good to see the young man has that type of respect for our program and for the game," Smith said.
Beverly said he thought it was the right thing to do.
"He's someone I respect. I just wanted to let him know that. I really didn't plan to do, but when we were there together, I just did it," Beverly said. "I'm glad he still appreciates it."
Family ties
Smith's son, Brian, is a reserve guard at Mississippi. His Rebels have a first-round bye and will play Friday at 9:45 p.m. against the winner of tonight's LSU-Tennessee game.
Smith doesn't get to see his son play often, but he acknowledged Wednesday that there was some consideration for Brian transferring to Kentucky after last season when coach Rob Evans lost his job. Instead, Brian Smith stayed at Ole Miss to play for new coach Andy Kennedy and helped the Rebels tie for the top spot in the SEC Western Division.
"We discussed that (a transfer) and certainly could probably use him right now," the Kentucky coach said. "But Brian, he talks to his mom more than he talks to me. They've had a great year. He's been very instrumental and very helpful in that. I think that's when you go off to college, you develop those relationships with teammates and others. That's why he wanted to stay there. It's been good for him."
Smith's son, Saul, played for him at Kentucky and another son, G.G., played for him at Georgia.
