Kentucky uses trip to Bahamas to prove it has a chance to be special

“You’re going to need to go in and battle like hell and have enjoyable taking part in and competing at a excessive degree. I’m anxious to see it. I don’t know what’s going to occur, however I feel folks will say, ‘Wow, this staff has an opportunity.’”

It’s the primary message John Calipari had for his staff when the Wildcats arrived within the Bahamas for his or her four-game exhibition tour. Gamers have been huddled collectively on the sectional couch and surrounding cozy seats within the Kentucky head coach’s palatial suite, wide-eyed with open ears listening to their first official pregame assembly of the season.

A bit on the opponent — “You’re going to be taking part in older guys” and “They’re professionals,” Calipari stated — however extra so the massive image. With all eyes within the school basketball world watching carefully, he needed his gamers to point out they might play for one another, play exhausting, play with pace and have enjoyable.

“For those who do the fitting stuff, you’ll be effective,” he stated.

4 wins in 5 days

4 assessments of various ranges of issue, every handed with flying colours. It began with a 52-point win towards the Dominican Republic Nationwide Choose Group, a staff with Division I school and overseas skilled expertise. Not a star-studded roster, however one with dimension — seven gamers 6-5 or taller, six no less than 200 kilos — and expertise. Calipari in contrast it to a mid-major squad, a degree of expertise Kentucky will face early within the common season three brief months from now.

And the Wildcats ran them off the ground, with six gamers scoring in double figures and the staff taking pictures 56.8% from the sector, 42.3% from three and 92.9% from the road.

“I couldn’t see the rating, I didn’t comprehend it was 50 till we turned on the TV right here (within the resort),” Calipari instructed the staff throughout a non-public postgame movie session. “I’m like, ’50? How within the hell did we do this?’ Brennan (Canada) is jacking up threes! That was towards a mid-major staff, and also you ought to beat mid-major groups like that.”

The opposition was overwhelmed with Kentucky’s — nicely, the whole lot, actually. Talent, taking pictures, size, depth, athleticism, all of it. People on the DR Nationwide Choose Group instructed Calipari after the sport they “didn’t count on” such a dominant effort within the Wildcats’ first unofficial sport collectively as a unit. And that’s not even accounting for five-star freshman middle Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso, who is ready to reach on campus within the coming days.

“They have been all surprised in what occurred that sport,” Calipari instructed the staff through the movie evaluate. “They thought we might beat them, however they didn’t suppose it might be that. … They’re like, ‘Holy shit.’”

The UK head coach began with the unhealthy through the postgame movie session — the very first thing gamers noticed after they walked into the resort room was a shiny blue, daring graphic on the tv that merely learn “BAD DEFENSE.”

As one would count on in a 52-point blowout victory, the section wasn’t lengthy. The one highlighting poor offense was even shorter.

When it got here time for the great, Calipari virtually drooled to the ground. Once more, this wasn’t some put-together squad for a Saturday morning hooping session on the native YMCA — that was nearer to Kentucky’s second opponent — it was a stable group of professional expertise. The attention check was backed up by the numbers and analytics, then the movie spoke for itself.

“We’re going to dam pictures — we had 11 blocks. We had 28 assists and 5 turnovers,” he stated. “We will say what we wish to say, that’s like taking part in a mid-major staff. That wasn’t like a highschool JV staff, that was a mid-major staff. 28 assists, 5 turnovers — woo-hoo. It’s August 10, are you shitting me?”

If Kentucky might do that, and do it now, how would the staff look in November when common season play begins? And within the brief time period, what have been the Wildcats going to do to the three poor souls left on their four-game schedule in paradise?

“We’re fearful about us.”

The main focus rapidly shifted within the staff assembly led by Calipari. Quite than stressing over particular person matchups or opposing gamers, it grew to become about “us”

“All we’re fearful about — neglect concerning the opponent — we’re fearful about us,” he stated. “As a staff, we’re taking part in to be our greatest. We’re not fearful about these different groups. What are we doing defensively? How can we get higher?”

Recreation two, a name-your-score matchup towards Tec de Monterrey, a staff that includes only one participant taller than 6-5. Kentucky wins 102-40, a 62-point demolition through which the opponent shot simply 25.8% from the sector, 26.9% from three and 16.7% from the road whereas additionally being outrebounded 65-22.

Recreation three, a battle towards Canadian powerhouse Carleton College, an enormous killer identified for battling towards — and even beating — high-majors. With 16 nationwide championships during the last 19 years and former exhibition victories over Syracuse and Wisconsin, it was the very best matchup on paper when the tour was initially introduced.

Factor is, the Ravens have been banged up and behind defensively. Carleton’s head coach Taffe Charles joked with KSR that Kentucky could win by 70 following an underwhelming shootaround the day earlier than. After seeing the Wildcats’ pace, athleticism and size on full show of their first two video games, he didn’t like his staff’s probabilities.

UK received by 62.

The Wildcats lastly discovered themselves in a battle to shut out the occasion. The Bahamas Choose Nationwide Group featured starters that have been 22, 30, 32, 35 and 36 years previous, all bringing skilled expertise to the desk — hell, a grown man with a gray beard got here off the bench. Kentucky discovered itself down by as many as eight factors within the first half and led by only one on the break, wanting like a staff that had been within the sizzling solar all week and was taking part in on drained legs. The Wildcats wanted a 3-point explosion from Antonio Reeves to interrupt issues open after intermission.

Early battle or not, UK nonetheless rolled to a 24-point win, giving the staff a median margin of victory of fifty factors throughout the four-game stretch.

“It’s about being dialed in,” Jacob Toppin instructed KSR. “Once you’re up by 50, you are inclined to let go of the rope and grow to be foolish — that’s (the time period) coach makes use of. We attempt to steer clear of that, keep locked in and fear about what we have to work on as a staff. I feel we did that.”

Additional alongside than anticipated

Calipari hoped his gamers would make a press release within the Bahamas, proving they’d a “likelihood” to be particular. It was the very first message he shared with the staff the night time earlier than sport one.

After 4 exhibition matchups in paradise, the Wildcats consider they did simply that.

“I feel we’re doing nice,” senior guard CJ Fredrick instructed KSR. “For it to be August, as easy as we’re taking part in proper now, I’m a little bit shocked. I didn’t suppose we’d look this good straight away. For August, with younger guys, new items coming collectively, we glance fairly stable proper now.”

“An opportunity to be a particular staff? Yeah,” senior guard Antonio Reeves added. “These video games, we’re attempting to point out how good we’re. I’m very assured in that. I see it in observe day by day how good of a staff we may be. Now it’s about falling again on our coaching and displaying out on the ground.”

“I got here to have enjoyable and see how my staff goes to look,” senior middle Oscar Tshiebwe stated. “I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen from my staff. The groups we’re taking part in, they’re skilled, older guys. I’m loving it. I can’t wait to see extra.”

“Scored 100 factors three video games in a row. We’re sharing the ball,” senior guard Sahvir Wheeler added. “It’s good basketball regardless of the way you take a look at it, the way you form it, the way you kind it.”

Constructing early chemistry

How have been issues capable of come collectively so rapidly for this staff, who has solely been collectively since June? It’s a gaggle of like-minded people with frequent objectives.

“It begins with having personalities that match,” Wheeler instructed KSR. “Generally you don’t have personalities that match or mesh collectively, however we’re a gaggle of fellows all about having enjoyable, all about one another who’re selfless naturally. Due to that, stuff like this could occur early and it’s nice to see.”

The Wildcats have had two months to get to know one another and construct early chemistry, however nothing compares to the standard time they have been capable of spend collectively within the Bahamas. It began with waterslides and pool time, together with a staff welcome dinner on night time one. From there, a staff boat trip out on the ocean on day two. After back-to-back days of video games, the Wildcats then got here collectively for a youth camp and group service occasion with Samaritan’s Toes. There, the staff washed the ft of native underprivileged youngsters and handed out new sneakers to every participant.

“Samaritan’s Toes, it’s a giant deal,” Calipari stated in a non-public staff assembly.

After that, a staff lunch and trivia. Then extra waterpark, pool and boat time, regardless of the gamers needed to do on their break day.

And that’s not even counting late-night time within the on line casino and strolling across the resort earlier than curfew.

“They actually like one another, and I’ve coached groups that didn’t get together with one another,” assistant coach KT Turner stated. “On and off the courtroom, they dangle with one another and have enjoyable. It’s a very, actually enjoyable staff to be round.”

“That is what it’s all about, the camaraderie,” assistant coach Chin Coleman stated. “We’ve received guys going fishing, we’ve received guys going to the waterpark, we’ve received guys making sand castles. That’s the way you win basketball video games. The sport is received earlier than it’s even performed. For those who win your locker room and your guys are related — we discuss connectivity, it’s received off the courtroom. … It’s so invaluable to our season. That is the stuff that wins basketball video games.”

The gamers agree.

“Actually, this staff actually received shut every week or two earlier than we received to the Bahamas. At first, it was a little bit iffy, however now, I get the identical feeling as final 12 months’s staff with how shut we’re,” junior ahead Lance Ware instructed KSR. “We’re at all times collectively, we’re at all times doing stuff collectively. The Bahamas undoubtedly helped us an entire bunch, simply hanging round on the seaside, on the waterpark, doing our factor. Simply to have the ability to be round them on this setting, having enjoyable. That’s what Chin is speaking about, successful the locker room.”

“Simply persevering with to construct that staff camaraderie on and off the ground, it’s going to assist us via antagonistic occasions,” Wheeler added.

Enterprise taken care of whereas additionally having enjoyable

It was a enterprise journey for basketball causes, however a trip in paradise for staff bonding causes.

“I believed it was an unbelievable journey,” affiliate head coach Orlando Antigua stated to shut out the occasion. “For the staff bonding side of it, from the aggressive aspect of it. Simply, the practices, permitting us the practices, doing the issues we have been capable of do. We have been capable of see some completely different lineups and check out some completely different schemes. It was a really constructive week.”

The off-court enjoyable and bonding bled onto the basketball flooring, with the Wildcats “having a ball laughing, smiling at one another” through the video games, Calipari stated. The main focus was on rising collectively as a unit and worrying about “us.” Mission completed.

“Each sport we play this 12 months, if we have now extra enjoyable than the opposite staff — as a result of they’re going to wish to beat you. They’re going to spend every week desirous to beat you,” Calipari stated. “No, we’re desirous about us. You all must be taking part in towards yourselves — your self. You play towards you, what you are able to do.”

Extra to show

Wins of 52, 62, 62 and 24 factors throughout 4 video games. Absolute domination from begin to end, excluding a sloppy first half on the ultimate day the place the staff had its luggage packed, scheduled to depart for the airport an hour after the ultimate buzzer. Every thing the staff hoped it might get throughout its journey to paradise, it received.

And sure, optimism is excessive across the program. The Wildcats undoubtedly took care of enterprise of their first 4 exhibition video games collectively as a staff. There’s no denying that.

“The staff’s ceiling is — man, everybody can go get 20 and 10,” Reeves instructed KSR. “There’s not only one individual on the staff that may do this. Now we have plenty of good gamers who can do plenty of good issues on the market and it’s displaying. … I don’t suppose something can go improper actually, man. I consider that if we come collectively as a staff, nothing can go improper.”

“Actually I feel we have now an opportunity to be actually, actually good this 12 months,” Turner stated.

That doesn’t imply the work stops right here. Nationwide titles aren’t received in August. As spectacular as Kentucky was over the course of 1 week within the Bahamas, there are nonetheless three months to go earlier than common season play begins. Then 4 months from there earlier than postseason play opens up.

The Wildcats have title goals, and there’s a protracted highway forward earlier than they hit that time.

“I nonetheless really feel like we have now extra to enhance on, extra issues to study,” freshman guard Cason Wallace instructed KSR. “It’s nonetheless early, so we haven’t gotten anyplace close to what we’re going to be mid-season or by the tip of the season.”

“It’s nonetheless early, it’s preseason, so that you don’t wish to be too boastful with how we did,” freshman ahead Chris Livingston added. “We performed nicely, however there are nonetheless plenty of issues we have to enhance on. However the staff has loopy potential, we’re actually deep and I’m actually excited to be part of it, actually.

“We’re searching for No. 9 and that’s the tip objective, for positive.”