Hello HOB. We’ll have Coach Cal and select UK players joining us today at approx Noon ET to talk about the Cats’ matchup with Kansas on Saturday in the Big12/SEC Challenge. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…
JOHN CALIPARI Q&A:
* Cal says TyTy Washington, Davion Mintz (OR MAYBE HE SAID DAIMION, NEED TO GO BACK AND CHECK) and Jacob Toppin did not practice yesterday, and assistant coach Orlando Antigua was not there either. “We’re down to two, and the rent is due.”
* Cal says Kansas will shoot 20+ 3s and make a high percentage. Playing fast. Running dribble-drive. Says Bill Self does a great job. Calls going to Allen Fieldhouse “the ultimate challenge.”
* If TyTy’s not 100% this isn’t the kind of game you play a guy at 80%, Calipari says. Same thing for Jacob.
* Calipari told asst coach Chin Coleman to go run out on the floor and yell and get a technical to let Wheeler know a screen is coming before allowing him to take another shot to the head.
* Cal says Oscar’s rebound attempts rate was in the 90s against Mississippi State. Crazy. With that in mind, demanding that guys shoot the ball when they’re open. “If they’re 0-for-10, that’s on me.”
* Ha. Cal throws out that Rick Pitino is going for win No. 800 soon. “I wish him well.” Not sure if he was humble bragging or not, but it made me laugh.
* “I have more confidence in Dontaie shooting the ball than he does,” Cal says. “Now, defensively, we both have the same confidence.”
* Cal wants Bryce Hopkins to fall back on his training. Sounds like he sees more stuff from Bryce in practice than in games.
* Cal doesn’t think he’s seen enough of Shaedon Sharpe yet in practice to play him in a game like this.
* Asked about Chris Mack at Louisville, Calipari says he feels bad for him and his family. Cal shares a story he had with Mitch McConnell, who ensured him that athletics will always be OK at UofL, but they have to get the rest of the institution fixed. A lot of stuff to get in order. “My guess is that, within a couple of years, they’ll be right there.”
* Asked about the all-time wins total with UK and Kansas being so close, Cal says until it was mentioned, he did not know. Same thing with the 800 wins, he says. “I’m not doing this for numbers, just trying to run a program that people will be proud of.”
* Of the Top 10 games on TV this year, 5 of them have been Kentucky, Cal said. That tells you all you need to know. “And they’re not looking for us to win.”
* On game day atmosphere at Kansas… It’s an air hangar, basically, Cal says. It’s a little like old Freedom Hall. Sound hits the ceiling and goes back down toward the floor. You feel it. It physically hits you. “That building is iconic. It’s like walking into church there.” No box seats and none of that stuff. It’s basketball.
KEION BROOKS JR. Q&A:
* On possibility of playing shorthanded at Kansas… At least you know of that possibility in advance and care practice different scenarios, Brooks said. Better than losing a guy in the middle of a game like they did at LSU and Auburn.
* On Kansas… Just them being Kansas in themselves is a challenge. Always have a great team, well-coached. When you sit down and watch, there are similarities between the teams. Similar styles. Just comes down to who runs their stuff best, who gets stops man on man.
* On the atmosphere… Know they have a great crowd, even though he hasn’t played there before. Knows UK will get their best shot, just like they do everywhere they play. Gotta be ready to communicate because it will be loud.
* On KU’s Agbaji… Good player, has been making a bunch of big shots late in games. You have to mix things up against him, show him different defensive looks. If you challenge him and he still makes shots, you have to live with the results.
SAHVIR WHEELER Q&A:
* Wheeler says he came here to play against the best of the best, and this is the third blue blood that the Cats will have faced after Duke and North Carolina. Looking forward to the challenge.
* Wheeler says KU plays a lot like the Cats do. “It’s going to be a battle of execution, who can stay locked in the longest.”
* Communication big in places like this, Wheeler said. He knows how important it is after getting whacked by a couple of screens this year. It’s up to everyone to make a bigger effort on it.
* On being shorthanded… Unfortunate, Wheeler says, but they have confidence in other guys stepping up with the opportunity.
* On Remy Martin… Watched him a lot, played against him. Good speed. Downplays a question about “Does he remind you of yourself?” Says no. Only things in common are hair and we run fast. Completely different style of play. Notes that he’s won some big games in college.
JOHN CALIPARI Q&A:
* Cal says TyTy Washington, Davion Mintz (OR MAYBE HE SAID DAIMION, NEED TO GO BACK AND CHECK) and Jacob Toppin did not practice yesterday, and assistant coach Orlando Antigua was not there either. “We’re down to two, and the rent is due.”
* Cal says Kansas will shoot 20+ 3s and make a high percentage. Playing fast. Running dribble-drive. Says Bill Self does a great job. Calls going to Allen Fieldhouse “the ultimate challenge.”
* If TyTy’s not 100% this isn’t the kind of game you play a guy at 80%, Calipari says. Same thing for Jacob.
* Calipari told asst coach Chin Coleman to go run out on the floor and yell and get a technical to let Wheeler know a screen is coming before allowing him to take another shot to the head.
* Cal says Oscar’s rebound attempts rate was in the 90s against Mississippi State. Crazy. With that in mind, demanding that guys shoot the ball when they’re open. “If they’re 0-for-10, that’s on me.”
* Ha. Cal throws out that Rick Pitino is going for win No. 800 soon. “I wish him well.” Not sure if he was humble bragging or not, but it made me laugh.
* “I have more confidence in Dontaie shooting the ball than he does,” Cal says. “Now, defensively, we both have the same confidence.”
* Cal wants Bryce Hopkins to fall back on his training. Sounds like he sees more stuff from Bryce in practice than in games.
* Cal doesn’t think he’s seen enough of Shaedon Sharpe yet in practice to play him in a game like this.
* Asked about Chris Mack at Louisville, Calipari says he feels bad for him and his family. Cal shares a story he had with Mitch McConnell, who ensured him that athletics will always be OK at UofL, but they have to get the rest of the institution fixed. A lot of stuff to get in order. “My guess is that, within a couple of years, they’ll be right there.”
* Asked about the all-time wins total with UK and Kansas being so close, Cal says until it was mentioned, he did not know. Same thing with the 800 wins, he says. “I’m not doing this for numbers, just trying to run a program that people will be proud of.”
* Of the Top 10 games on TV this year, 5 of them have been Kentucky, Cal said. That tells you all you need to know. “And they’re not looking for us to win.”
* On game day atmosphere at Kansas… It’s an air hangar, basically, Cal says. It’s a little like old Freedom Hall. Sound hits the ceiling and goes back down toward the floor. You feel it. It physically hits you. “That building is iconic. It’s like walking into church there.” No box seats and none of that stuff. It’s basketball.
KEION BROOKS JR. Q&A:
* On possibility of playing shorthanded at Kansas… At least you know of that possibility in advance and care practice different scenarios, Brooks said. Better than losing a guy in the middle of a game like they did at LSU and Auburn.
* On Kansas… Just them being Kansas in themselves is a challenge. Always have a great team, well-coached. When you sit down and watch, there are similarities between the teams. Similar styles. Just comes down to who runs their stuff best, who gets stops man on man.
* On the atmosphere… Know they have a great crowd, even though he hasn’t played there before. Knows UK will get their best shot, just like they do everywhere they play. Gotta be ready to communicate because it will be loud.
* On KU’s Agbaji… Good player, has been making a bunch of big shots late in games. You have to mix things up against him, show him different defensive looks. If you challenge him and he still makes shots, you have to live with the results.
SAHVIR WHEELER Q&A:
* Wheeler says he came here to play against the best of the best, and this is the third blue blood that the Cats will have faced after Duke and North Carolina. Looking forward to the challenge.
* Wheeler says KU plays a lot like the Cats do. “It’s going to be a battle of execution, who can stay locked in the longest.”
* Communication big in places like this, Wheeler said. He knows how important it is after getting whacked by a couple of screens this year. It’s up to everyone to make a bigger effort on it.
* On being shorthanded… Unfortunate, Wheeler says, but they have confidence in other guys stepping up with the opportunity.
* On Remy Martin… Watched him a lot, played against him. Good speed. Downplays a question about “Does he remind you of yourself?” Says no. Only things in common are hair and we run fast. Completely different style of play. Notes that he’s won some big games in college.
