Blue-White Game indicator of UK intensity and also important for recruiting

Assistant coach Orlando Antigua hopes fans will take time to attend Friday's Blue-White Game. (Vicky Graff Photo)

If you really want to see what kind of team John Calipari could have this season, then Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua says come to Friday night’s Blue-White Game in Rupp Arena.

“(Big Blue) Madness is exciting but really is just a high practice. When we get to the Blue-White Game and exhibition games, we are starting to prepare for the season,” Antigua said. “They are a dress rehearsal for what is to come.

“Our practices are intense and we go at each other. Fans can expect the same thing at the Blue-White Game. I hope we have a full house because we have some visitors (recruits) coming.”

Recruiting can be interesting and constantly changing. Antigua and the Cats are pursuing not only 2022 players but also top names in the 2023 class.

“Recruiting is like shaving. If you don’t do it every day, it gets ugly,” Antigua said. “We have to be able to deal with all the variables. The landscape is always changing and you have to make sure what those changes are.”

Antigua says the Kentucky staff feels good about “where we are at” in recruiting.

“We are trying to close out conversations with some guys and put together a really good recruiting class,” Antigua said.

The name, image and likeness changes have “absolutely” impacted Kentucky recruiting.

“Kids want to come to Kentucky. They know not to come to Kentucky just for that but to come because we are the best program in the country. The support we have from different businesses is the best in the country,” Antigua said. “So NIL is important and it helps, but there’s more to recruiting than just that.”