Basketball is officially underway in the Bluegrass as UK basketball media day kicked off pre-madness today. Check the WBN Twitter feed for updates and quotes from Calipari, but there were a few overarching themes:
1. The NBA combine was to show the players that Cal “has their back”. If he shows that he wants to get them all where they want to go, they will work more on playing as a team and worrying about each other rather than focusing on their individual stats and minutes.
2. What he is attempting to do with the platoon system, has not been done before. He stressed that all the “best teams” played six guys with subs; so he’s going to do that…twice. Calipari said that he is essentially coaching two teams. All the players said they have bought into the platoon system. They also said they were not really surprised by the thought of “two teams” because something had to be done to get everyone on the court.
3. Cal said this team will “stump their toes” a few times trying to figure everything out, but if they buy in and focus on being good teammates, they can go far.
Some quotes from players:
Tyler Ulis
“Practice has been great, but it’s tough. We’re just really getting adjusted to it now.”
On the platoon system: “I like it. I think it will benefit us a lot because when we get tired we can sub…it’s no breaks for the other team.”
Dakari Johnson
Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Dakari Johnson (44) blocks the shot of Connecticut Huskies center Amida Brimah (35) in the second half during the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dakari admitted that he still has not watched the film from the national championship…and doesn’t plan to. He said the freshman that surprised him the most was Trey Lyles coming off his injury.
On his advice to the freshmen for their BBM intro: “If you’re going to dance, just commit to it.”
“The Bahamas was helpful…I mean we were playing against pro teams down there, we can play against anybody.”
On the platoon: “It’ll be fewer minutes, but that’s ok. You have the chance to go out there and play your hardest and play your game.”
“It’s good going up against guys your height or taller in practice every day. It makes you work harder.”
He also said that defensively, WCS is a “monster” and Karl Towns pushes him the most each practice.
Willie Cauley-Stein
Mar 28, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (left) controls a rebound against Louisville Cardinals forward/center Mangok Mathiang (12) in the first half in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
WCS said when Alex and the twins took a long time to decide, he thought they were all leaving. But he told us he never thought about it. “I didn’t get to play in the Final Four and Championship and didn’t get to experience what everybody else was experiencing. I didn’t feel like I had peaked yet.”
Aaron Harrison
Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) is defended by Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) in the second half during the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
“You have to grow up fast if you come here.”
“Last year I don’t think we handled the scrutiny well because we took it personal…we let criticism get to us. It wasn’t that we were tired, we weren’t having fun.”
“We’re really driven this year. None of us like to talk about what happened last season. I know I hate it.”
On the last second shots: “There’s too much thought put into those shots. It isn’t something I feed off, you just can’t be afraid to miss.”
“It’s cool to be on a team that’s so deep and have so many players that can be productive on the court.”
Andrew Harrison