Kentucky Wildcats: John Calipari Previews the Baylor Bears and Julius Randle’s Expectations
By Wayne
Nov 27, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) shoots the ball against East Michigan Eagles forward Karrington Ward (14) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated East Michigan 81-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Julius loves that he’s going home to play in front of his family and friends, but he also understands that what got him here is to play there again…in April…in the Final Four. That’s his main focus and that’s what is driving his play to start this season. Just like Coach Cal, Randle “gets it.”
"Julius Randle hasn’t seen his family in a while, so he’s understandably excited to return to Dallas on Thursday for Kentucky’s matchup with Baylor on Friday. He’s just hoping it won’t be the only time he gets to see his family this season on a business trip. The Basics What: No. 3/4 Kentucky (7-1) vs. No. 20/20 Baylor (7-1) When: Friday, 10 p.m. ET Where: AT&T Stadium (80,000) in Dallas Game notes: UKVideo: Randle, Hawkins preview BaylorVideo: Cal’s pre-Baylor presser The Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, the site of Friday night’s game, will also play host to the 2014 Final Four and national championship. As the No. 3/4 team in the country, the Cats (7-1) have their eyes set on a return trip in early April. “It’s the most important thing this year,” Randle said of returning to Dallas when the stakes are much higher. For now, the Cats will settle on a fairly unique event that will headline college basketball on Friday night. For Randle, who hopes to be able to visit with old faces while the Cats are in Dallas, it will be about returning home to the place where he dominated the high school scene and shot up the recruiting ranks. “It’s a dream of mine just to be able to come back to my home state and be able to play in front of family and friends and fans in the city,” Randle said. Randle had his school-record-tying seven straight double-doubles to start a season snapped on Sunday in the 79-65 win over Providence in Brooklyn, N.Y. The continuing focus of double and triple teams, Randle was limited to 12 points and eight rebounds. The burly freshman faced double and triple teams when he was making a name for himself in Dallas, but those swarming defenses packed a little less punch than the ones Randle is facing these days. Randle noted the size and strength of players at the college level, making it more difficult to “fight through it.” “It’s a different level,” he said. “It’s a different challenge.” Still, Randle doesn’t seem fazed by the ever-increasing attention he’s getting from the opposition. “It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Randle said. “Luckily for me I have teammates who can help make plays and guys who are capable of doing a lot of different things. You have to kind of pick and choose what you want to do (to stop us).”"
Julius is not concerned with the size of his opponents because as the arguably the toughest player on our team, he knows he’s going to get banged around a lot and have a lot of different looks thrown at him.
"Julius Randle, who returns home to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for Kentucky’s game against Baylor on Friday, had a restaurant recommendation. “III Forks,” he said of a Dallas steakhouse. “That’s a good steak.” That might also be one fork for each of the three defenders Randle expects to see whenever he gets the ball near the basket. Yes, Baylor can look UK in the eye with a rotation of big men that includes 7-footer Isaiah Austin, 6-9 Cory Jefferson and backup Rico Gathers, who is a mere 6-8, 270. “They have some long, athletic ‘bigs,'” Randle said Wednesday. “It’ll be a challenge.” All that size suggests the possibility of one-on-one opportunities for Randle in the low post. Well, not really. “If they play me one-on-one, I’ll be surprised,” Randle said."
"“Just to see those guys step up and make plays, it’s a big relief to me,” Randle said. “And it’s also encouraging for me because I know they’re growing. It’s only going to help me and help them.” The onus shifts to the defense in the form of the familiar pick-your-poison dilemma. “They’ve got to pick and choose what they want,” he said. “If you double and triple me, then you have to live with those other guys making shots. If you want to single-cover (the post), then I’ll be able to make plays.” On his teammates scoring support:"
"“Just to see those guys step up and make plays, it’s a big relief to me,” Randle said. “And it’s also encouraging for me because I know they’re growing. It’s only going to help me and help them.” The onus shifts to the defense in the form of the familiar pick-your-poison dilemma. “They’ve got to pick and choose what they want,” he said. “If you double and triple me, then you have to live with those other guys making shots. If you want to single-cover (the post), then I’ll be able to make plays.”"
In case you missed it last night over on ESPN, the most schizzophrenic team in the WORLD, the North Carolina Tarheels, beat the #1 Michigan State Spartans; and on their home floor no less. Gary Parrish took note as well and adjusted his Top 25 (And 1) column, elevating Arizona to the #1 spot but our beloved Wildcats to the #2 spot ahead of undefeated Ohio State, Syracuse, Wisconsin, and Villanova. Now our next 5 games will be a pretty good measure of where the team really is collectively and individually so the next couple weeks will be fun.