Great teammates make for a great team

UK Athletics Photo

If you were looking for a way to explain not only why Kentucky has been so good this season but has also been so lovable for UK fans, then pay attention to what coach John Calipari said after Wednesday’s win over LSU. Calipari used two sentences that should resonate with everyone about this team because I think the coach perfectly explained what has made UK special — and perhaps a Final Four team next month.

“A good team has good players. A great team has great teammates,” Calipari said. “These guys are terrific teammates. They’re great teammates. That gives us a chance. And we are talented.”

“But when you’re great teammates people watch the game and you know what they say? Man, are they fun to watch. Man, do they cover for each other. They make the game easy. Look how hard they play and fight for each other.”

Guess what? He’s right — like he has been about most things with this team.

“When you’re into your own thing you pout. Things don’t go your way, you hang your head and you pout. That’s when you’re into your own thing. If you’re into the team you just keep fighting,” Calipari said.

He used the 3-point shooting of guards Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz, the team’s two best long-range shooters, against LSU as a perfect example of what makes this team special.

Grady was 0-for-5 from 3-point range and Mintz 1-for-4.

“Did they hang their heads? Just keep playing. I’m not making shots today but I’m going to do everything else, or you hang your head and you pout and you’re looking for someone to blame with how you’re playing,” Calipari said.

“This is the kind of team that doesn’t do that. You got a bunch of guys that are for each other. I mean, that whole bench was cheering for Bryce (Hopkins). They were so happy for him, just like they were for Daimion (Collins) down at Alabama.”

It’s not just during games that the maturity and togetherness are showing up.

“It’s like Jacob (Toppin). He’s living in the gym. Last year he didn’t. Jacob was like 12 years old (with the way he acted last year). Everything was funny and laughing,” Calipari said.

“Now he understands. He’s in the gym all the time building his own confidence, and he’s working in practice.”