College of Kentucky Basketball Media Convention

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Lexington, Kentucky, USA

John Calipari

Press Convention

Kentucky – 60, Bellarmine – 41

JOHN CALIPARI: Let me begin by saying that’s a tough recreation to play. We’ve received guys cramping up in there. We had, I believe, 31 out of 48 stops. We had shot clock violations. However you needed to play the entire clock.

We labored three days on how we end a recreation. First half, 10 turnovers. Not sufficient motion. So we went to our grind-it stuff. Which we’ve labored on now. So, you noticed that we have been grinding it out. Which, there are some video games you’ve received to do it.

In order that was what was good in regards to the final three days. We have been in a position to do some stuff. Didn’t do it within the first half.

Within the second half I simply mentioned, Look, guys, we’re going to must grind it with them. If we’ve one thing straightforward, take it. If not, we’ll grind it out. Which there are some video games you bought to do it. In order that was what was good in regards to the final three days.

Let me simply say this. Scottie’s performed an amazing job with that program, everyone knows. What’s disappointing is that, in the event that they win their league match once more, they’ll’t get in. Right here’s what I’d say, and I’ve mentioned this many, many occasions. In the event you do issues for the youngsters, you’re by no means fallacious. In the event you’re doing stuff based mostly on, properly, that’s the rule, properly, we had a rule that they modified as a result of a participant went on TV and mentioned, ‘I’m ravenous and I don’t have cash to purchase a hamburger,’ and impulsively all the principles modified. Inside every week all of them modified.

I perceive, properly, there’s a rule that Bellarmine’s received to attend eight years, no matter it’s. Change it. It’s not proper for the youngsters. It’s not proper for the youngsters. They need to have the ability to be in that match in the event that they do what they did. They’re properly coached. They’re nice youngsters. I hope individuals will rethink — change the rule. You modified that rule. You understand what occurs if it comes again to them, it’s on me. I’ll change the rule. We’re going to do one thing. Properly, wait a minute. That is on these youngsters.

So hopefully this shall be reconsidered. They’re tied with us at halftime and we’re alleged to be a kind of groups. Properly, shoot.

Sure, questions.

You talked about on the radio final evening and after we talked to Bruiser yesterday the significance of defensive self-discipline tonight, given such a definite offensive model that Bellarmine performs. So, out of your vantage level, how did you prefer it?

JOHN CALIPARI: Actually good. Actually good. Oscar broke down, however he by no means has to play out on the ground like this. So, he broke down. We had about three different breakdowns, however when you concentrate on it, like we have been throughout it, and it’s onerous as a result of we’re working and enjoying too, and then you definitely’re on protection for 30 seconds. All of them have been laughing in there, like that was the toughest factor to protect. Properly, we wanted to point out some self-discipline. We additionally wanted to grind it out. We had three days.

Now, we’re touring tomorrow and getting over there, and we’re going to have a pair extra days of follow earlier than we play. However I’m proud of what we received in with my complete group. Like, we received an entire group now. In order that stuff was good. I like Chris. Once more, I received to determine find out how to get him in. Chris Livingston. Did you see him go get balls? Till then we weren’t getting any balls. The way in which we began the sport, I liked it after I went to these different 5, and impulsively, it modified. Now we turned the aggressor. I appeared on the guys on the bench and I’m like, ‘Why must you return in?’ And I believe that led the remainder of us to do it.

However I like what we did the second half, three turnovers, enjoying quick, grinding it out. The opposite factor is, I believed we handed up pictures within the first half. Can’t play that method. You’re going to play, each group that performs us, you prepared? They don’t have anything to lose. All people. They don’t have anything to lose. Properly, you bought to play that method. You bought to play like you don’t have anything to lose, otherwise you’re at an obstacle each recreation you play.

What’s protecting you from enjoying Chris extra minutes?

JOHN CALIPARI: Having to get another guys, whether or not or not it’s Cason, Antonio, C.J., somebody’s going to must take much less minutes, or might I play him at 4, which I used to be going to do in the present day.

However he’s going to get extra. I used to be simply, I’m so happy with him. He made one, he received drained. He went to sub himself. First time in his life possibly that he mentioned, ‘Sub me.’ And I left him in by way of the timeout as a result of I believed the timeout, very subsequent play he tried to steal it, after which he let the man run for a layup, and I knew it. That’s on me. I ought to have had him out. However he’s going to get an increasing number of time. He’ll.

All the good things that you simply noticed defensively, a few of the grind it out stuff, what offensively when it comes to what you need to see evening after evening that hasn’t occurred but, what’s it that you simply’re not seeing that you simply’re attempting to get them to try this’s not occurring?

JOHN CALIPARI: Properly, this group performs completely different, and then you definitely received to play slightly completely different due to how they play. I believe our offensive effectivity, even with a pair video games the place we didn’t play properly, was within the prime ten.

Now flying is the easiest way for to us play. However we’ve received to comprehend, in the event you don’t have one thing, it’s onerous to submit Oscar from the wing. I maintain telling them, you’ve received to submit him from the center third of the ground. In the event you submit him from the wing, everyone’s off and so they’re, . He missed some pictures in the present day, I used to be actually stunned, some lefties.

After which it’s necessary due to how we’re enjoying, and due to Oscar, that you simply’ve received to shoot open threes, particularly in the event you’re a kind of three. We’d like most likely extra aggressive play from Jacob going to the rim within the first half. He missed three two-footers. Threw them. Second half, he drove and he made baskets. However you’ve received to try this once they’re being bodily. We’ve received to get some straightforward baskets that method.

To observe up on that, there was a stretch there in direction of, within the second half the place Jacob, it appeared like the sunshine bulb went off slightly bit and he was attacking the basket, ending inside. Is there a secret there to unlocking him? You noticed even the top of the Gonzaga recreation the place he was hesitant early after which sort of letting it fly late.

JOHN CALIPARI: Properly, , my complete factor is I believe his mid-level recreation and his capacity and his athleticism to go to the basket, however it takes a grit to need to go in there and know you’re going to get bumped and pushed, and that’s the place, the one method you will get comfy doing it’s doing it.

He’s received to simply go in there, and there’s going to be some automotive crashes. However he’s a lot a greater participant. However the grit is between him being particular. You need to be particular? Be that man, the place they received to play you on pull ups. They’re not going to attempt to muscle you as a result of it doesn’t matter. It turns into a foul, and also you’re a very good free throw shooter.

Once more, we have been attempting to determine in that first half, they have been packed in so unhealthy, after which we missed some pictures, after which guys wouldn’t take pictures, and that sort of provides up, which is why we got here out and mentioned, ‘All proper, we’re grinding slightly bit.’ So that you don’t rating as many. I don’t know what we scored. It’s considered one of our lowest-scoring video games shortly.

How a lot a recreation like this towards a group like Bellarmine is a rising up half for a group as a result of you’ll be able to’t get pissed off, you’ll be able to’t get impatient, you must be mentally powerful to play it out such as you needed to play tonight.

JOHN CALIPARI: Look, the factor I’d say is, it took unbelievable self-discipline to play the way in which we performed it. They’re a group, anytime you breakdown, which occurred in our different couple video games, the nice groups, if you breakdown, they make you pay. So, it takes unbelievable self-discipline all through the possession for 40 minutes. While you’re drained, come out, as a result of we’re attempting to win. This isn’t you simply attempting to play. And in order that’s what was good about this.

And, like I mentioned, you get a pair guys that cramped up. So it was, it’s what we wanted. I hate, I instructed the blokes in the present day, I instructed the workers, that is like going to the dentist. That’s what it’s like.

In the event you’re going to play Chris on the 4, clearly that possibly pushes someone else out. Is there a situation the place Jacob could be a small ball 5 and he might be your 4?

JOHN CALIPARI: He needed to protect 42 in the present day and did an amazing job. Principally, when he received on him, he didn’t make one other three. When these different two have been on him he was making one after one other. May we do it with Chris and possibly Cason? I imply, you’re going to be actually small. May we play that method? Yeah. I virtually went zone in the present day, and the workers was, ‘Are you nuts?’ We’re defending. Go away it alone. And you can go an enormous zone as a result of they have been simply going, working loopy.

My guess is in the event you performed them in zone, they might do precisely the identical factor and run round like loopy, however you don’t must observe them as a lot. However I simply, I thought of possibly going with an even bigger lineup and simply saying, let’s get large and play some zone simply to do it.

However the excellent news is we’ve it in. Solely labored on it a pair days, however it’s not a tough zone to play.

Tomorrow I’m going to go to Governor Brown’s service. I’m going to go slightly bit early as a result of I need to see the household. I couldn’t stand up there in the present day. I’d think about there have been tons of individuals up there. Particular man, an amazing buddy and supporter and a mentor, promoter. Known as me when issues have been, you wrestle, he would name. When issues are going good, he would name. He came visiting to follow when he was wholesome. Simply turned an amazing buddy. So I need to make it possible for I pay respects and that I stand up there tomorrow. And I actually need to spend time together with his household, so I’m attempting to get out of right here.

The Reeves/Fredrick lineup with them on the ground collectively, it appeared like that gave you that soar begin within the second half, after which when Sahvir got here in for Reeves, that’s when Fredrick hit these two threes. In order that Reeves/Fredrick lineup, what does that offer you?

JOHN CALIPARI: Properly, in the event that they’re taking pictures balls and so they’re in a position to defend and rebound, you simply can’t trade baskets. However like I mentioned, you noticed Cason give you balls and do stuff and I used to be working a play — that is how nice a child he’s. Late within the recreation we have been doing one thing, and I had Antonio someplace and I had him getting a again display. He mentioned, Let Antonio. He’s simply made three pictures. Let him run that and we’ll run it for him.

Now take into consideration that. You concentrate on that. He’s the one man on this group that may say that. ‘Oh, you’re getting me a shot?’ Like, so he’s necessary to this group too. That’s why I used to be saying, with Chris, how will we, , we simply received to determine it out as a result of, once more, he went in and received two nice rebounds. He’s in a position to do it. He’s not afraid of the contact. So possibly we play him on the 4. Let him get in there and also you play small ball with him at 4.

I do know it’s been a number of years within the making, now it received postponed, however the Michigan, the London journey, why did you need to do that?

JOHN CALIPARI: You understand, you’re attempting to get matchups that we might have at dwelling. Subsequent 12 months Gonzaga and Michigan are coming right here. Juwan, I’ve identified him for a very long time, actually like him. I mentioned, , if you wish to do one thing. After which the Corridor of Fame known as us about enjoying in London for the Corridor of Fame. I mentioned, properly, possibly that shall be a 3rd recreation.

So, , we’re going over. It is going to be an amazing expertise for these youngsters, actually onerous recreation. We higher not play how we began this recreation. They’re actually, they’re properly coached and so they’re a very good group, so it is going to be a tough recreation.

However it is going to be an amazing expertise. While you’re doing what I’m doing, you’re attempting to place these youngsters in several conditions the place they be taught and develop. I took a group in ’94 to France after I was at UMass. We flew to France and performed within the season. Went up the Eiffel Tower. Think about none of them will ever do it once more. Perhaps. However possibly not. Made them eat escargot as a result of they didn’t know what it was. So that they took them out of the shells and I had all of them style them. No, properly, it’s not unhealthy, after which I confirmed them the shell that it got here out of, and so they have been spitting it out.

So that you need to put them in — doing these items at Salvation Military. The Lundergan household gave away 700 meals that day. We helped with some, however many have been delivered. To place them in all sort of conditions earlier than they depart right here, the occasions we play in. So this is only one of them. It’s the primary faculty recreation in that venue. Which they are saying is the No. 1 venue on the planet.

We’re staying proper in London. So, , not going to do an entire lot of sightseeing, however we are going to the primary day we’re there and possibly the second day and attempt to get out. Due to the place we’re staying there’s issues they’ll stroll to.

However, , we’re requested to play in plenty of occasions. We’re. I simply need to be certain no matter we play in advantages us probably the most. In order we go ahead with a few of this — they talked about this ACC Problem being now. Okay, then the Gonzaga recreation most likely occurs in January or February in the course of our season.

I’ve performed it earlier than. Performed Louisville. Once I was at UMass. In February we performed Louisville. So, I’ve performed this earlier than that method.

It needs to be — we are going to make it an amazing journey. However we’re getting higher. Pleased we had the times that, the two-a-days that we needed to get the construction that we’d like. The sequence that we have to play with. The grind it out that we received to have in our arsenal. Can’t simply attempt to run and shoot when the opposite group’s holding the ball. So thanks, people.

KENTUCKY BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
KENTUCKY VS. BELLARMINE
RUPP ARENA – LEXINGTON, KY.
November 29, 2022

UK Scholar-Athletes

#12, Antonio Reeves

On how he can construct a/er his nice efficiency…
“When the pictures begin taking place man, it simply constructed all of our group confidence. When one individual hits, it similar to goes off one other. We simply search for one another and ensure we execute.”

On how tough it’s to organize towards a group like Bellarmine…
“Man, it’s tough. They transfer the ball fairly properly, they minimize the ball fairly properly, they do dribble handoffs too, so we simply must focus in on what they do offensively and simply execute.”

On what prompted the big run…
“Sahvir Wheeler positively introduced us confidence into the second half, he positively confirmed management. Simply the power degree that we’ve, we wanted to select it up and we mentioned that within the locker room for certain. Like , our power is sort of low and simply maintain competing on the market.”

#1, CJ Fredrick, G

On the distinction within the offense if you’re on the ground with Antonio …
“There’s for certain a optimistic distinction. After we have been beginning to hit some within the second half, our lead began to extend, and we put plenty of stress on them to come back down and must get a bucket. I positively assume that opened up the sport and helped us offensively.”

On what the group is doing properly and what wants to enhance after the primary few weeks …
“Our protection has been rather a lot higher which has been an enormous emphasis in the present day. I believe our late recreation connectiveness has been an enormous emphasis and it was good tonight. It’s nonetheless a protracted season. Nonetheless plenty of issues to enhance on. We simply proceed to grind day-after-day and are available to work day-after-day.”

On the easiest way to get right into a taking pictures rhythm …
“If I’m open, I simply let it fly. I believe in transition after I’m getting momentum that’s after I really feel prefer it has an amazing shot at stepping into. Or when the ball is swinging facet to facet and my defender turns his head or one thing I can get a shot pretend up. So, I’d say shifting into the shot versus [being] stationary.”

#0, Jacob Toppin, F

On the worth of getting to “grind it out” and present some toughness…
“It exhibits who we’re and it exhibits what kind of group we’re. There’s going to be video games like this and we’ve received to search out methods to win and we did in the present day. The primary half was slightly sluggish however we got here again within the second half and grinded out the sport and we simply knew that was the sort of recreation it was going to be, it was going to be a quick paced recreation, and we found out methods the place we might get straightforward buckets and straightforward performs so we might win the sport.”

On being chosen to take free throws rather than Sahvir…
“Oh yeah, I do know my proportion is unhealthy proper now however I’m a very good free throw shooter. Truthfully, I used to be wiping my palms and noticed that he was going to select someone on the court docket to shoot the free throws so I threw the towel and I walked onto the court docket so he might see me. I used to be sort of excited that he picked me.”

On the preparation for Bellarmine…
“The preparation that we had, our scout group did a extremely good job simulating their offense and we simply spent the previous couple of days actually engaged on what they did. Truthfully, sure it helped put together us, however in a recreation scenario it’s a unique depth, so it was positively a tough recreation for us to play. It was positively a very good win for us.”

KENTUCKY BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
KENTUCKY VS. BELLARMINE
RUPP ARENA – LEXINGTON, KY.
November 29, 2022

Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport

Opening Assertion …
“Initially, I need to thank coach (Calipari). Phrase has already gotten to me, how he began [the press conference]. He is aware of how a lot I respect him doing this. He didn’t must do it. That’s what makes individuals extraordinary. Caring is an unbelievable expertise, and we will all be taught that. Are individuals sick of me speaking about it? Sure. You watch our group play, in the event that they give up with three minutes to go, what would that locker room be like? I’m not going to give up on them. Can’t do it. There’s cruel laws with it. And I respect him doing that. To have us right here? That is unbelievable, these younger males, I’ll let JB (Juston Betz) speak. They’ll always remember that have for the remainder of their life. Pauley (Pavilion), Cameron (Indoor Stadium), Rupp Area, that’s Bellarmine College. Folks say why, I mentioned, ‘I imagine that’s what a program is about.’ I don’t use the phrase tradition. I take advantage of the phrase program as a result of meaning you’ve got a plan. Enjoying on the lights at Cameron and UCLA and Rupp Area, that could be a key element in enjoying as a result of it places your gamers first.”

On how his group made issues tough for Kentucky on protection …
“All people talks about our passing. Properly, passing is an indication of enjoying properly collectively. We’re going to play properly collectively on offense however what we stress is to play group protection. If it’s 5 one on one video games, we’re not successful. However we’re going to attempt to play wonderful group protection. That’s how we’ve to play. That’s how we educate.”

On how they have been in a position to maintain Kentucky out of transition for a lot of the recreation …
“Properly good offense. You understand good offense.”

On what the group will take away from its early season video games …
“If I might deliver Coach Pitino (Rick), Coach Cronin, Roy Williams and Coach Okay and mentioned, ‘Okay, we’ve follow Thursday at 11 o’clock. Will you assist us make a follow plan?’ I might deliver all 4 of them. I might herald Coach Knight. There’s no method they’ll make a follow plan to simulate what we simply went by way of. Not possible. So, what do sensible individuals do, they put on individuals out. After we misplaced to UCLA, we made an amazing run, we vowed, it was a 10-point recreation with simply over eight (minutes). We missed a free throw and two extensive open threes and my message to the locker (room) was no person’s going to make use of the phrase “if”. We’re not going say ‘if’ we’re going to say subsequent time. How do you get higher subsequent time? Apply. The largest detriment of their schedule was an absence of follow. I imply, we simply haven’t had the chance to follow plus the well being points.”

Bellarmine Scholar-Athlete

#1, Juston Betz, G

On how these elite packages have reacted to Bellarmine’s play model…
“The response from the groups and coaches has been that we’re very onerous and irritating to protect and that’s precisely what we try to do on offense. We need to take up all 30 seconds of the shot clock and make them guard all the time, and they’re nice groups and we’re at an obstacle athletically towards groups like this, however it does show to us our offense can work towards them as properly. We simply must think about our capacity as gamers and we’re going to proceed to enhance on our taking pictures. We haven’t actually had a recreation the place we shot the ball very well but. Each time that occurs, our offense is even higher as a result of it spreads the court docket and opens up extra cuts and extra drives, however there have been some factors in every recreation the place our offense is actually environment friendly. There has additionally been some occasions the place it hasn’t been pretty much as good, and that’s what we’ve to be taught from. We have now plenty of younger guys this 12 months versus the final two years and so they’re within the rotation extra and they’re doing nice. We have now had plenty of guys step up offensively particularly. It’s cool as a result of like coach mentioned, we can not simulate their dimension and their athleticism, and plenty of groups can not see how we play offense so it takes them time to regulate. That’s one thing that we should carry over into convention season for groups which have seen us and gained. It provides us plenty of confidence that our offense might be profitable.”

On what classes they’ve discovered that they’ll use later within the season…
“We discovered occasions the place we have to assault. Guys which are coming into greater roles are studying the place to get to their pictures and find out how to talk higher on protection and, truthfully, I believe we’ve actually improved on the backboards the previous three or 4 video games. I believe at halftime Kentucky had 10 offensive rebounds and on the finish of the sport had 13. So, within the second half we did a very good job protecting them off the glass. Enjoying by way of fatigue as properly as a result of there was plenty of touring, not an excuse in anyway, it has taught us to play fatigued. Each groups are drained, and we did a very good job pushing by way of that.”

On why the historical past and custom behind the packages they’ve performed is so necessary…
“The final 9 days have been a privilege in each method attainable, from Duke to UCLA after which right here at Rupp. We have now positively taken the historical past into consideration. At UCLA they’ve a hallway and coach took us by way of it and it has all of their NBA gamers and their historical past. John Wood’s pyramid of success is one thing we will all be taught from and one thing we’re striving to attain in our program. It’s an honor not solely to play at these locations however to play towards the groups we’ve performed as a result of they’ve wonderful gamers and wonderful coaches, it’s all top quality. Our objective is to get higher on a regular basis as a program and as a college. There is no such thing as a higher method to try this than be taught from Duke, UCLA and Kentucky.”