March 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts to a play during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Kentucky 73-60. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
"Pressure brings out your best. I’m at my best when the gun’s to my head."
That’s the quote that stuck with me the most from John Calipari’s press conference. The Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach faced one of the biggest challenges of his career last season as his team spiraled out of control to crash-land into a first round loss in the NIT. while Cal was quick to point out that he thinks that the players learned about themselves last season; but the fact remains that the season was a bust.
It’s a new season now. The recruiting process is finished and his team is assembled. You could sense the excitement in his voice as he spoke about each player individually and the potential that this team has. There is pressure on this team to not only to win a national title, but to possibly go 40-0.
Here are some points that I gathered from Calipari today.
– He expects different players in regards to Alex Poythress, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kyle Wiltjer.
– Willie Cauley-Stein is in a position to be one of the best players that Cal has coached. We saw in flashes this possibility last year. He was an absolute beast against Missouri and Florida at home, but wilted against Robert Morris. WCS knows he has a way to go before he is ready for the NBA but if he can reach his potential, his draft stock could go through the roof. He could be the best big man in the country.
– Alex Poythress is another player that has to come in focused. If he can be focused and if he is pushed by competition (James Young, Julius Randle), Alex Poythress has crazy good potential. Just think, he is a McDonald’s All American, a preseason top 10 draft pick and has the ability to be an offensive beast. Also, the three spot could be a better fit for him as he is a very good jump shooter and has the ability to take his man off of the dribble.
– Kyle Wiltjer needs to get in shape and work on his defense. His role may be similar to that in 2012. He can come in off of the bench and score in bunches when called upon. But he needs to be in better shape.
– Andrew Harrison is the prototypical Calipari/dribble drive point guard. His size and ability make him tough to guard and his decision-making shows that he is can be a pass first point guard.
– Aaron Harrison is going to a lock down defender. If he guards other two guards that he faces, he will more than likely be much bigger. He is 6’4 and fast.
– The shooting ability of the Harrisons (Aaron especially), James Young and Kyle Wiltjer gives this team an outside threat that John Calipari did not have last season. This might be his best shooting team ever at Kentucky.
– Julius Randle is a man, plain and simple. Cal called him the alpha beast. He will be the motor that pushes his teammates in practice and in the game. Cal also likened him to MKG. That’s music to our ears.
– This team should have unparalleled versatility. Guys can play multiple positions. Randle has amazing ball handling skills for a big man; James Young can step out and play shooting guard with ease; Aaron Harrison can play the point; Poythress could bang down low and draw his man out to the perimeter.
– Wanna go big? Imagine a line up of the Harrison Twins, Julius Randle at the three, Willie Cauley-Stein at the four and Dakari Johnson at the five. Oh dear.
– These players are killers on the court. Andrew and Aaron Harrison despise losing and play with the will to want to dominate their opponent. Julius Randle is the same way. He doesn’t want to just dunk on you; he wants to bull you over, step on you, and then dunk on you. Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress will have to adjust to this mentality. I think that WCS is more mentally ready to do it than Poythress, but with time Alex will come around.
– Cal is going to use the 40-0 talk to fuel these guys. The type of players that he has will thrive on challenges.
– Cal is serious about having a cohesive unit, something that he did not have last season. He now has a strong presence at the point and an enforcer on the blocks. He is even making his staff attend a two-day summit to discuss how to get the best out of his team.
The gun is to his head and the pressure is on. He has possibly the greatest collection of talent ever assembled along with a group of veterans. John Calipari has never been one to back down from a fight or from a challenge. Rival teams, coaches and fan bases were quick to chide him as he fumbled in the NIT. How will they react when he comes back with a loaded gun of his own, ready to put the pressure on them?