KENTUCKY HC JOHN CALIPARI:
* Calipari begins by looking at the stat sheet and saying, "We got out-rebounded again." LOL
* Tried to play the end of the game like it was an 8-point finish instead of 20-something. Still working at that. The guys are waiting too long in the clock to start it. Have to put them in those kind of situations to see how certain guys will react.
* Haven't seen DJ Wagner yet, but they told him at the half he could not come back.
* Reed Sheppard's big attribute is his even keel. And he's lived in the gym and worked himself into a better player quickly. Says he wasn't really a "knockdown" shooter in HS but has put the time into his J. His passing and ball skills are the biggest things he's always had. I don't know what his plus-minus was, but probably off the charts again. (Told it was 35, rolls his eyes).
* On chastizing the student section for the "overrated" chant... He doesn't like it, doesn't encourage it. We get that everywhere we go. They don't deserve that, and we might play them again, so you never know. But happy they stopped and just cheered the Cats. That's the kind of fans we have.
* I couldn't have played this way last year. A few people laugh. Cal says don't get it twisted, I had good players. They just couldn't play like this.
* Cal scoffs at people saying he's not telling the truth about Big Z. "He's sick, people."
MIAMI HC JIM LARRANAGA:
* Credit to Kentucky. They played really well, shot really well. Foul trouble with Omier really hurt. Did not shoot and score like we are capable of doing.
* On Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham... Terrific college players coming off the bench who will eventually be NBA players. Sheppard is so good at everything. Can shoot it, handle it, pass it, find the open man. You may look at him and think he's not that athletic, but he's active on defensive end as well with deflections and steals. And then you look at Dillingham, 9 assists and no turnovers. "That's a pretty good night from your bench."
* Most impressive thing about UK's offense is how they share the ball. They had 26 assists, we had 8.
* Never figured out a way to take the crowd out of it tonight. "I don't know if anyone who comes in here this year will do it."
* We couldn't keep them out of the lane. Gave up more layups and dunks than we have in years.
* Larranaga jokes that Cal could change the system every year and win if he's got guys like this. Look at the list of NBA players he's got.
* Larranaga... Crowd was great, but it surprised me that they booed me. What have I ever done? Beat my butt and boo me. We're nice people. (Laughs)
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