John Calipari says his team has not had a bad practice all season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Clearly, Kentucky isn’t the same team that suffered a frustrating 66-62 setback at Notre Dame on Dec. 11 or the same one that lost 65-60 at LSU on Jan. 4. Although a loss, the team’s performance at top-ranked Auburn, an 80-71 setback on Jan. 22 could have been easily reversed if not for injuries to TyTy Washington and point guard Sahvir Wheeler.
Kentucky has an established point guard (Wheeler), a veteran shooting guard (Kellan Grady) and a National Player of the Year candidate inside (Oscar Tshiebwe). The recent emergence of Keion Brooks and the consistency of the freshman Washington make the Wildcats one of the top teams in the nation.
Kentucky’s backup players have been instrumental of late with Davion Mintz, Jacob Toppin and Lance Ware logging valuable minutes. They will be needed for that boost at tournament time, too.
The Wildcats have the tools to be a national title contender and are built to sustain adversity. Off the court, Kentucky’s personality as a team is equally impressive. Calipari has raved about the team’s unselfishness on multiple occasions.
The players are always lifting up each other, not caring about personal accolades, while also holding each other accountable. Tshiebwe is always smiling and giving glory to God for his achievements. He’s the ringleader in the battlefield and always encourages the Wildcats to fight – the most dominant word in his vocabulary.
Kentucky had one of its better wins in years and the first win in Allen Fieldhouse since 1983 last Saturday but it wasn’t one of Mintz’s better performances. However, after the game, Mintz was inspired by a young fan who was brought to tears just to be meeting Mintz in person after the game in Lawrence, Kansas.
“We know that we’re special,” Mintz said. “We understand that but still know that everyone wants that top spot. So, when you have it, you have to secure it. That’s what we’re trying to do and that’s the attitude we have to have moving forward. Be confident and understand that you have to be humble.”
It’s a fine line the Wildcats are learning how to walk and it may end with a fun run in March.
3 Responses
Mintz’s statement is right on the money, since losing at Notre Dame, this team has been playing at championship levels. Mintz said, "So, when you have it, you have to secure it."
The 2012 team did just that when it took its game from a very high level to an even higher level in its games 22-25 and then finished the season sustaining its newfound heights. That team had been playing well enough to be in the hunt, but when it elevated its game in early February, it created the separation it needed from the field it needed to finish the task.
This team needs to do something similar "so secure it" as Mintz puts it.
I am ready for this stretch run and am as excited about this team’s prospects as I have been in several years.
Well said professor
So much is being read into one road win. It was a fantastic win, but in truth, it was an unexpected one. We struggled with a decent Miss. State team in Lexington prior to the Kansas game and then struggled again with a marginal Vanderbilt team the next game out. More can be read from tomorrow’s game at Bama. Bama has been a giant killer this year while losing to a number of so so teams. Auburn has dealt with Bama twice already; will we be able to do the same tomorrow and again on the 19th? We murdered TN in Lexington; can we do the same in Knoxville? The Hogs always give us a close game and playing in Fayetteville makes that game even tougher. These are the 4 games that will tell the world if we are contenders or pretenders.
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