Kentucky Basketball: Notes from The John Calipari Show

Tom Leach sat down with John Calipari for The Paul Miller Ford John Calipari Show. The Kentucky head coach had lots to say regarding last week’s game and some injury updates.

The UK  Sports Network aired The Paul Miller Ford John Calipari Show on Monday. Below are some highlights from Cal’s commentary with UK’s radio announcer Tom Leach.

• Kentucky had 19 turnovers in the game against Monmouth last Saturday. Calipari said that many of the turnovers were a result of the players making plays harder than they needed to be.
• Coach Calipari said he thought Wenyen Gabriel played great. Calipari has been hoping to see Gabriel play more like Derek Willis. Willis was a senior on last year’s Kentucky basketball team. Willis averaged 7 points and 5.4 rebounds last season.
• Calipari noted Kevin Knox‘s struggles against Monmouth and that a game like that is “good for the soul.” The Kentucky coach said that Knox will learn from that experience.
• The Wildcats attempted 19 three-point shots on Saturday with 6 different Wildcats knocking at least one down. Cal wants to see the number of three-pointers attempted around 18 to 19 per game.
• Jarred Vanderbilt, who’s been sidelined with a foot injury, has not began practicing yet, but he is working out with assistant coach Kenny Payne.
• Calipari gave an update on Jemarl Baker‘s status. Cal said his best guess would be that Baker could be ready to play by the end of the year. However, given his lack of practice it may be a stretch for him to get into game shape for this season.

Calipari also praised former Wildcat Anthony Davis for helping Darius Miller get a spot on the New Orleans Pelicans.