John Calipari Has Plenty Of Buttons To Push This Season

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Maybe he was not giddy but Kentucky coach John Calipari certainly was a happy man after Kentucky outlasted North Carolina 87-83 Saturday night in Atlanta.

It not only was a marquee win for the Cats but it was a win that showcased why Calipari believes this team can be a national championship contender.

“I just liked that they fought,” said Calipari. “I liked at the end of the game they made winning plays.”

He liked that he could tell players he was using one on offense and another player on defense based on their strengths. He noted how freshman Justin Edwards gave up three 3-pointers and he couldn’t be in the game late when North Carolina was trying to mount a comeback.

“A year ago we did not have the buttons to push. If a guy was going 1-for-15 (shooting), we had to leave him in,” Calipari said.

Not this season. With Ugonna Onyenso now back and able to play, Calipari has nine players who can contribute like they did in the win over North Carolina.

“Here is the thing on this team. Whoever you pass it to can play,” Calipari said.

North Carolina coach Hubert Davis likes his team. He also appreciates the talent Calipari has on his team.

“They have a number of players that can create their own shot in one-on-one situations,” Davis said.

But Kentucky also showed it has one other thing — toughness.

“Kentucky was tougher than us in the trenches. In order to win games like that, you have to win the battle in the paint,” Davis said.

North Carolina has an older, more experienced team. The Tar Heels were supposed to have the advantage inside but Kentucky managed to grab 10 more rebounds, including 18 offensive boards, which led to UK getting 15 more field goal attempts than North Carolina.

“We figured it out. There was some pushing, shoving, and jamming but at the end of day, I am not out there. You (UK players) have to figure it out,” Calipari said.

And the Cats did.

Freshman Aaron Bradshaw had 12 points, three rebounds, and two steals in 21 minutes. He would have played more except he got into foul trouble and had to finish the game with four fouls. However, he hit three of four free throws in the final 47 seconds to help secure the win by thinking about his “happy place” with his family to avoid letting his nerves bother him.

Bradshaw also played solid defense in the final minutes despite having four fouls.

“I knew I was going to make mistakes and I wasn’t always going to score. Coach said just stay level headed and play the hardest I could play. Make sure you do it 110 percent,” Bradshaw told Jack Givens on the UK Radio Network postgame show.

“I love defense. I ain’t going to lie. That is my favorite thing. I challenged myself not to get a fifth foul and just lock in and play defense.”

That’s the kind of overall attitude this team seems to have. Whatever it takes to win, players are willing to do and the good feelings are rubbing off on Calipari.

“The upside of this team is really up. Let’s see if we can get there (to a national title),” Calipari said. “They balled. I like where we are at this stage of the season.”

After Saturday’s win, Kentucky fans and others do, too.