John Calipari says he will leave “nothing on the table” today when Kentucky takes on Mississippi State in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals at noon EST.
“At this time of year you leave nothing on the table,” Calipari said Wednesday in Nashville.
He said that was the “great thing” about getting freshmen Lance Ware, Dontaie Allen, and Cam’ron Fletcher all in Saturday’s win over South Carolina to where he had a full roster for the SEC — including the possible return of Terrence Clarke for the first time since Dec. 26.
While there has been a lot of focus on UK having to win four games in four days to reach the NCAA Tournament, Calipari said not to forget how difficult a game UK will have with the Bulldogs to open the tourney.
“If we can win tomorrow, I am going to be dancing,” Calipari said. “Forget about four games. Let’s just worry about the first game. This team has never been there (in postseason play). They weren’t on those teams (he’s had win SEC tourney titles).
“I don’t know what to expect. I hope they fight, play fast, take open shots and stay connected defensively. But we don’t know. These guys have not played in these situations.”
Kentucky is also in the unusual position of benign the hunter and not the hunted like it has been in most SEC Tournaments.
“I think it helps this team because now the focus is just on chasing. You want to have a full roster and because you do not know what may happen and we have a bunch (of players) now,” Calipari said.
He said this team has been impacted “by runs by the other team” all season. Normally he likes to let his teams figure it out and then call a timeout. This week he won’t do that.
“We can’t go home with timeouts. I may have to use them early,” he said.
Why not? Kentucky is 9-16 and if a lead starts to disappear or if a deficit starts to grow, call a timeout. Same if a player “goes crazy” trying to make a home run play and that’s happened a lot this season.
“It is a little different with every team I coach but I am trying to be what they need me to be,” he said.
Kentucky is 0-12 when scoring less than 70 points this season, a concern since most tournament games are played at a slower pace than regular season games.
“We have wanted them to play fast all year. You can still play fast and post the ball. If you have an open shot, shoot it. I don’t care if you are 0-for-7. You must shoot open shots. The other stuff leads to turnovers,” he said.
He predicted UK would shoot more 3-pointers for one simple reason — “We are not real good layup shooters,” he said. “We are better off shooting jumpers.”
What he meant is that UK’s perimeter players are not good at finishing through contact at the rim, so why not shoot a 3 instead of missing a layup or making a turnover. But he still wants the ball going inside to Isaiah Jackson, Olivier Sarr, and Keion Brooks.
“If we are to make a run, win tomorrow it will be because they want to,” Calipari said. “My focus has not changed. How do I let these kids know I am with them and I ain’t budging. I am holding them accountable but they know I am for them.”
