2012-13 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Season Review: Warning Signs A’Plenty

Nov 21, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Morehead Eagles head coach Sean Woods watches his team in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

A “self entitled” bunch of Wildcats?

While dealing with the Harrow situation, another bombshell dropped on this team. Former Kentucky great and “Unforgettable” Sean Woods, took to the airwaves to discuss his uneasiness with these Wildcats. Here are some of the comments Woods had before his Morehead Eagles took on Kentucky at Rupp Arena:

"“They didn’t seem like Kentucky basketball players to me,” Woods said of his impressions of UK players when he and they took part in a telethon recently to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. “And I’ll leave it at that. I’m a Kentucky basketball player through and through, and there’s just a certain aura about you.” “These kids nowadays are just so different. When I was coming up, we were humble. Very humble. I think because of the success that Cal has created — which is not a bad thing, it’s a great thing — it just lets you know what Kentucky basketball is right now. But I’m just one of those kids really, really am a blueblood Kentucky guy at heart. There’s just a certain way and a certain look Kentucky basketball players should have, and not have such a sense of entitlement. I think today, it’s still an honor to wear that uniform.”"

Woods’s comments set off a massive backlash against the former Kentucky great, and Woods later backtracked from his comments. But on the court. the Eagles backed up their coaches comments and took the game to the Wildcats in a very physical game. Morehead State went on an unheard of 16-0 run at Rupp Arena in the first half and used a 11-4 second half run to take a 42-36 lead over the defending champs. Kentucky responded down the stretch behind Poythress and Goodwin and held off the Eagles in a closer than the score indicates 81-70 win. Calipari seemed pleased with his team’s effort and stressed that this was the type of game Kentucky needed to toughen them up. During the game, Calipari kept trying to push Alex Poythress’s buttons to get him motivated and for tonight, it worked. And even if he did not say it publicly, the fact that Kentucky got punched in the mouth at home by a Morehead State team that finished 15-18 had to set off several warning flags.

Dec 1, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard Ryan Harrow (12) during a time out against the Baylor Bears at Rupp Arena. Baylor defeated Kentucky 64-55. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The Ryan Harrow mystery continues

Around the time of the Morehead State game, it became apparent that Kentucky may have to slog their way through the season without Ryan Harrow. On November 21, Harrow left the team to deal with personal issues. Of course, this news did nothing to stop the rampant speculation and Calipari addressed concerns that maybe Kentucky was not “for Harrow” and he also talked about Alex Poythress’s effort thus far:

"I don’t think so. No, I don’t think it’s that. Might be some of it, but I don’t believe that. He was getting better; that’s the sad thing about it. He had I was all over him. I just saw Alex’s father and I said, “You know, I’m on him half the game, and he’s playing better and better, but he’s only 50% of the way there now.” His dad said, “That’s why he came here. He wanted to be challenged, and he wanted to be coached, and he wanted to be pushed, and that’s what my son needed.” They know that coming here. This is an open book; this is not we embellish and we don’t do it. So I think he’s fine. My hope is he comes back this weekend, and he’s got to start on the road getting with the team and practicing and seeing where we are. His weight is still down, though."

Regardless of the reason for Harrow’s disappearance, Kentucky had games on the schedule. They struggled early against a tough LIU Brooklyn team but Goodwin and Poythress led the way with 22 point each in a 104-75 win. Then on November 25, Harrow returned to practice and issued a statement regarding his absence:

"“Unfortunately, when I started feeling better, I had an issue to tend to with my family over the holiday break. Everything is good with that now and I’m excited about playing with my brothers again.”"

With Harrow back in the fold, and Poythress and Goodwin playing up to their potential, it seemed like the Kentucky season was finally on track.