Terrence Clarke, right, didn't score against Louisville when he was slowed by an injury. (SEC Photo)
Will Cam’Ron Fletcher or Keion Brooks Jr. play against Mississippi State Saturday night when Kentucky opens Southeastern Conference play? Has Terrence Clarke practiced this week after trying to play at only 80 percent effectiveness last week because of an injury? Those questions were asked to UK assistant coach Joel Justus Thursday. He kind of answered the first one, and either ignored my question about Clarke or just forgot I asked.
“I think both of those guys (Brooks and Fletcher) are doing what they’re allowed to do,” Justus said. “As you know, Cal said that everyone has a great attitude and we continue to move forward.
“So, we’ll see what this afternoon looks like when we practice at 3 o’clock and we’ll go from there.”
In other words, Justus was not saying or speculation about what might happen with either player. Brooks has yet to play this season because of a “calf” injury and Fletcher rejoined the team after being sent home for a week by Kentucky coach John Calipari because of his attitude.
Clarke did not have a point, rebound or assist in 14 minutes in last week’s loss to Louisville. Calipari admitted he was playing with the same type injury Ashton Hagans had — and played with — but was having trouble dealing with the pain.
Kentucky scrimmaged Transylvania on Tuesday. I asked Transy coach if Brandon Boston and Clarke, who have both had trouble making shots this year, made shots against his team and he said he remembered Boston scoring. Nothing about Clarke so that makes me believe maybe Clarke has not practiced all week.
Mississippi State opened SEC play with a win over previously unbeaten Georgia on the road. Iverson Molinar had 24 points and hit four 3-pointers for State — which was 12 of 27 from long range. D.J. Stewart had 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists while Deivon Smith had 13 points and Jalen Johnson 12.
Justus said State’s size is the first thing you notice about the Bulldogs.
“It jumps off the page at you immediately at all of their positions. They’re a physical team. You talk about a group that looks very similar to North Carolina in terms of how they attack the offensive boards,” Justus said. “That’s something that we obviously have to continue to address, and as we went into the North Carolina game, we talked about that with our guys.
“Our guards, you know, answered, answered the bell that game and I think they’ll have to do the same in Starkville on Saturday. But they have a good group of guards that have returned, that are playing well. They have experienced big guys inside that have played and played well.
}I think it’s a tremendous challenge for our young guys. Like I said, I think we’re mainly focused on ourselves, getting better, working on our execution, continuing to provide the mental picture of who we can become and who we want to be on Saturday.”
