UK Athletics Photo
As soon as Kentucky beat Team Africa 104-92 on Saturday at the GLOBL Jam in Toronto, UK coach John Calipari said he was expecting a close game even though the Cats had a 20-point lead at one time in the second half.
“Told the staff today that I’ll be stunned if we have great energy and fight because of what we did yesterday (in a win over Canada). Anytime kids go swimming — they were in the pool for an hour and a half (at Drake’s house),” said Calipari.
“So, I was like, sheesh. And then the game got rough and it got physical. That beats you down.”
Africa cut the lead to six points with just over five minutes to play in the fourth quarter before UK responded with a 9-0 run that featured goals by freshmen Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Reed Sheppard along with one by leading scorer Antonio Reeves.
Calipari liked the way his young team responded to the late challenge even if Africa is now 0-3 in the international event.
Calipari liked the way his team rebounded when it counted most and out rebounded Africa – the bigger team. He also liked the offense in the final five minutes.
“I needed to see who could make shots in the moment. When the game is close, you’ve got to make a shot. Well, you saw Antonio. You saw Tre (Mitchell). You saw DJ Wagner. You saw Reed Sheppard. You saw Justin Edwards,” Calipari said. “Jordan (Burkes) went in because we were in foul trouble and he did his thing.”
“They (Africa) came out and played. That’s the best they have shot. They fought and they wanted it. And I said, it’s because it’s you guys. They know who you are and they know what Kentucky is and that’s every time you play.”
