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Five games into the season Kentucky coach John Calipari is still learning what works best for his team.
He admitted after Monday’s overtime win over St. Joseph’s that he still was trying to figure out which players to have in games at the end and seeing how different players reacted to pressure situations.
He’s also waiting to have a healthy, or at least healthier, roster.
“How do I play with this team? We have got to get one of these bigs back, hopefully two. It changes who we are,” Calipari said.
Freshman 7-footer Aaron Bradshaw injured his foot in March but could be ready soon. Freshman 7-footer Zvonimir Ivisic of Croatia is waiting for NCAA eligibility approval that UK sources hope will come any day. SEC Network announcer Tom Hart said during Monday’s UK game that he did not see Ivisic at practice but he was at the game.
Kentucky has been relying on West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchel to play center. He has 17 assists and only two turnovers. He’s also been a reliable 3-point shooter to stretch defenses.
“Now, you say, well, how are you going to play (with 7-footers)? You ready for this? They can play basketball. They can bounce it. You can still play five out,” Calipari said. “You could put Tre at the four or him at the five and those guys on a perimeter because of how they play and how they shoot.
“I know what you will have is someone near the rim that is 7-foot-2 that you are not just getting lay-ups, which we are still giving up a lot of lay-ups,” Calipari said.
Mitchell is looking forward to having Bradshaw and/or Ivisic able to play.
“Those big dudes are not back but when they do get back you will see they are just as versatile as the rest of us,” Mitchell said.
4 Responses
The defense will look different, but the guards will continue to take the bulk of the shots.
I thought the rule has been that if a player is unable to practice, he is not going to play in the game that comes next.
The corrolary to that must be that if a player is able to practice, he is available to play in the game that comes next.
I keep hearing reports that Bradshaw is practicing with the team. These reports also suggest that he is really getting after it.
So, why is it he is not playing in this game tonight?
Why risk another injury on a game that we obviously did not need him? I am glad he was not in….Be patient, the best is yet to come….
Great game tonight against Marshall. Wagner finally put a complete game together. Edwards had a decent game, but he needs to rebound more. They moved the ball, took good shots, and hit most of those shots. Mitchell and Reeves are just steady. Dillingham and Sheppard make this team go. Team defense has to get better, but it’s easy to lose focus of that when you are up by 30 at the half.
It sounds like Bradshaw might be available for the Wilmington game. Ugo might be ready for the Louisville game. Z won’t ever play. Tonight, Calipari was saying that Bradshaw thinks he is a 4 or 3 spot guy and talked like he would play him that way. What? A 7 footer not be in the middle? Maybe he is the second coming of Dirk Notwitzki, but he needs to play the 5 spot and let Mitchell play the 4 where he is a better fit. When Ugo is back and in sync, sure, give Bradshaw some time at the 4 in relief of Tre, but he needs to get his mind right about playing the middle where he can rebound and defend.
By SEC time, we should have 10 – 11 guys who can flat out play. They need to be going all out every minute they are on the floor. Sure, they will get winded after 3 or 4 minutes, but ask out and let the next guy go all out for 3 or 4 minutes while you get ready to go again. They could very easily produce 40 minutes of hell like Nolan Richardson’s teams did. Come tournament time, barring any more injuries, they would be rocking and rolling. By that time, we won’t need a 30 point scorer. Share the minutes, share the ball, and play for the team. We could very well have 7 players averaging low double figures in scoring and 5 players averaging 5 assists, IF Calipari doesn’t muck it up. Bringing on the bigs will slow the offense down, and come SEC play, Calipari will not let them shoot 70+ shots a game. Calipari may be the biggest obstacle this team will have to overcome.
Tonight was fun. Miami was a Final 4 team last year…you know, like we used to be. We showed toughness against Kansas, but no second half composure. Tonight, we showed composure without having to be so tough. The Miami game will be a great time to get better at both and possibly pull out a win. Let’s get rolling and give the Tarheels an asswhooping for the ages when they come to town. Go CATS!
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