Andy Lyons - Getty Images
With a bullet.
I've been around college basketball for a long, long time, probably longer than a fair number of people reading this piece have been out of diapers. In all that time, I have never seen a college basketball coach make a statement like this:
"What we need to do is have a team come out and go nutty on us," Calipari said after UK went nutty on Florida 78-58 Tuesday. The UK coach wanted to "have us have to respond to that, and then hold on to win a tight game."
In all honesty, and I'm pretty sure Calipari didn't mean it this way, this statement sounds chock full of hubris. What Cal is trying to say, I believe, is he wants to see how his team responds to genuine adversity, and he doesn't want that to happen for the very first time in the pressure cooker of the lose-and-go-home NCAA Tournament.
I don't blame him for that whatsoever, but if he is looking for a way to motivate Kentucky's opponents without saying something overtly contemptuous of them, he just found that way. I expect this statement to wind up on the locker of every player that we face from here on out.
For a coach who says he is trying to warn his team off getting cocky, this might have been a sentiment better kept out of the media. These young freshmen have shown no signs of swell-headedness so far, but we have all seen it happen over and over again, which is why so many well-meaning Kentucky fans are half-wishing that we drop a game or two before the tournament just to return the team to Earth from the high orbit they currently occupy.
But as with last year's team, the 2012 Wildcats seem to be on the path of maturity, and with guys like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist driving that buss, it will be hard for too much vanity to creep in. These days, every child who plays basketball at the highest levels in high school have had plenty of experience with what happens when you read your press clippings.
I don't want this to come off as criticism, because honestly, I think that Calipari has pushed all the right buttons with this team, and this may just be another one -- certainly, he knows better than I do what they are. Playing with confidence is the reason Kentucky is as good as they are, and even though it is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, it's a line every great team must walk.
Comes with the territory, I'm afraid.
0 recs | 61 comments
In a way I agree with him, but I also totally agree with what you said Glenn.
That sounds like a statement that I would make.
In the words of someone really smart, “Be careful what you wish for”…………
Greg Alan Edwards - February 9, 2012
Yeah.
That was my intro line to the facebook posting of this article.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
ooops....hadn't got there yet this morning......
sorry….
This may have been done for a reason too……maybe Cal is trying to deflect the press away from the players and on himself to keep them from getting rattled, who knows?
Greg Alan Edwards - February 9, 2012
Bingo....
classic cal. letting the players play and he is the lightning rod
memphis wildcat - February 10, 2012
i think this is just Cal being Cal...
any coach would love to blow out every team from this point on, and win a NC.
kentuckyrules - February 9, 2012
One would certainly think so.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
He knows his business...
Sounds like some pretty sound logic, to me. Remember, Cal is not only a coach, but a psychiatrist….he really knows how to talk it up…
7BLUeBanners - February 9, 2012
I love Coach Cal almost as much as I love the CATS.
I think he is just being honest. That is exactly what we need this weekend against Vandy. A great one point loss or victory against a fired up Commador team Saturday night, might just push them to another level. Stallings would give his first born to beat UK on Saturday…
big-cuz fan - February 9, 2012
am also a BIG CUZ FAN...
let’s hope for a tight game down there with a BIG W…say about 3 points!!!
KYCatwoman - February 9, 2012
“A great one point
loss orvictory. . .”There, I fixed that for you.
blbskue - February 9, 2012
:-)
.
a2d2 - February 9, 2012
Dense Perhaps
But I see very little hubris in the statement. As i perceive it he’s saying that in this recent dominating run no team has been able to regularly hit shots early in the game thus forging a substantial (double-digit) lead. What he’d wish the team to experience is such an event where all the opponent’s 3’s were falling, they were scoring off turnovers, Cats were cold and something like a 29-11 deficit ensued — UNC at FSU might be an example — and then see Cats come back for a late win.
Come to think of it, Memorial in Nashville might just be the place and Saturday the time.
Wild Weasel - February 9, 2012
Exactly right.
NYCCats - February 9, 2012
I think that's what I said.
Except there is implicit hubris all over that statement. If you can’t see that … well, I guess you can’t. But others will.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
I think you've missed the mark, Glenn.
Out of context, I can see the argument. But Cal made the statement in response to a question about whether this was a measuring stick game for him, just to see where his team was, considering the opponent. He said no, because Florida didn’t shoot it well. That’s the point: He didn’t think another team’s off night should inure to his team’s credit. That’s quite the opposite of hubris. And it’s consistent with his character, which is all about humble arete.
It was then that Cal explained what would be a good measuring stick. He wasn’t hoping for some team to go nutty on us or arrogantly claiming that his team would respond and hold on to win a tight one in such a contest. He was simply saying that a team going nutty on us would show his team’s true character. Much like what Donovan was saying at the timeout about adversity testing his team’s mettle.
I think you have managed somehow to parse Cal’s response to the question into something it wasn’t. So count me among those who disagree.
Wheatgerm - February 9, 2012
I didn't say any of what you seemed to read in.
The statement infers two things:
1. A team would have to go “nutty” to beat them. I don’t think that’s what he meant, but if I were an opponent, that’s how I’d parse it.
2. Even a “nutty” team can’t win against us.
Again, as I explained, I know that isn’t what he meant. But just like in politics, you can’t expect statement to be taken in context, because they won’t be. You have to look at them like an opponent would.
An opponent would parse it just like I did.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
The whole time I was reading this article, I was thinking,
“Cal may just get his wish of a team going nutty on them in a couple of days.”
He may not get his wish for a close win in a tight game, but I bet he gets all the “nutty” he wants.
bob in bg - February 9, 2012
Heh.
Could be.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
+1
jeffy - February 9, 2012
Just happened to Syracuse last night
Georgetown gave them just the scare Cal is talking about
StLHugo - February 9, 2012 via Android app
yep
BarryM - February 9, 2012
However, I don't think that was a case of an opponent "going nutty."
The Hoyas played within themselves and played a tough game.
BCinVA - February 9, 2012
GT vs. Syracuse
Yep. I agree. They also got ripped by the boys in stripes.
bigboyblue - February 9, 2012
For Vanderbilt, there is no tomorrow if they
lose to UK. They already have 7 losses, many of those bad losses and still have to play UK twice and Florida again. They have to go to Tennessee as well. A loss to UK Saturday and they are in deep trouble. If they can split with UK and beat Florida and Tennessee then they should be in the NCAA.
kywineman - February 9, 2012
The should be favored in every remaining game except the ones against UK
That would give them a 22-9 record. Plenty good enough. Their RPI is currently 25 and their SOS is reckoned at #4.
I’d say they have at least 3 more losses available to them before they wind up on the bubble if they win their first-round NCAA game. They have a couple of bad losses but they have a couple of good road wins, too, like Marquette and Alabama.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
Vandy is 1 and 2 in their last three games.
They are not playing very well. A win against UK could do for them what the Duke win against UNC potentially does for the dookies. It could set them down the path towards a stronger post season. However, a loss to UK, especially a bad one would probably put them into a deeper tailspin. This is a much more important game for Vandy and we will learn about what these wildcats are made of come Saturday night.
kywineman - February 9, 2012
Project Teague: On Track
SI’s Luke Winn does his usually thorough job of covering college BB, this time UK’s unlikely romp over Gators: Teague’s progress (with charts) as a PG, AD’s defensive prowess and MK-G’s intensity.
BTW, in the no-time-off-for-Cal category, Coach spent Wednesday in NH watching Nerlens Noel. Guess who followed him — Billy Donovan, hoping for his own AD I suppose.
Wild Weasel - February 9, 2012
I'm feeling good about our chances for Noel
UConn is ready to implode and Syracuse has their big man for next year (plus, how much does playing a zone defense get a guy ready for the NBA). Anthony Davis is now the national media’s darling and will be gone next year. You have to imagine that Noel is thinking those would be nice shoes to slip in and fill.
chicagoblues - February 9, 2012
Noel.
Yes indeed. If he can fill them. Davis is as I thought he would be coming in. But I have never seen a freshman play like this guy. He’ll be a tough act to follow. On the other hand, I never thought a Walls could be what he was either. Anything is possible with these kids in basketball.
bigboyblue - February 9, 2012
Bump that
All them nervous nellies can quit it so the Cats can get wit it….Cal is pumping up the comp so our boys will be ready for the NBA. How is this team supposed to develop if they are constantly blowing away the comp? Give em fodder so they try harder with the end result being a better game for this year’s edition of high caliber Cats.
Bump it, pump it and kill the Commodores Saturday.
bluecrip - February 9, 2012
With the attention on Davis shot blocking...
..will his blocks go down enough to miss out on the all time block record if teams stay away from him?
UK1972 - February 9, 2012
Part of the game
when you are as good as AD at blocking shots, you have to get your numbers despite teams being unwilling to challenge you as much. It must have been the same for Shaq or anyone else whose reputation was so renowned for shot blocking.
kcgard2 - February 9, 2012
Teams will have to start shooting
from half court to avoid having an AD block. He blocks all the way out to the 3-point line, he’ll get his numbers. Probably won’t catch Robinson for the national number but has a good shot at Vanardo’s SEC record.
hoboat33 - February 9, 2012
Should Cal post this in the locker room?
“I wouldn’t say they’re too far ahead (of the SEC pack),” Beal said of the Cats. “We shot ourselves in the foot.”
hgabenne - February 9, 2012
absolutely!!!
KYCatwoman - February 9, 2012
"We shot ourselves in the foot."
And missed.
JLeverenz - February 9, 2012
Maybe.
But I’d just laugh and say, “you should aim for the basket, not your foot, dummy!” :-)
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
As JLev just said
they couldn’t hit either one.
kywineman - February 9, 2012
Just look at the Duke/Carolina game last night if you want to see what going nutty looks like
I’m with Cal 100% on this one. Seeing Duke shooting over half of their shots past the arc and making 14 of them for almost 40% is going nutty, and I’d like to see how this team handles a situation like that before we get into the tournament. Beyond that, I don’t see Cal’s comments as providing any additional motivation for our opponents. I disagree with Tru on this one.
chicagoblues - February 9, 2012
Nutty
Also, Withey went Nutty for Kansas against Baylor last night. He didn’t strike me as that good of a center against UK earlier in the year.
cthom - February 9, 2012
He's gotten much better
He seems more patient and just a smarter player in the paint
Thankfully, KU will always have Taylor to do something foolish
BeachBubbaTex - February 9, 2012
If it's all the same to you...
I prefer the Cats learn their lessons by watching it happen to other teams. Blow outs show how a team AVOIDS adversity.
With apologies Lloyd Benston: I knew the 1996 UK team. The 1996 UK were friends of mine. I liked how the 1996 team learned to field dress their opponents by halftime.
BeachBubbaTex - February 9, 2012
There is something to be said for overwhelming your opponents with talent......
and speed, and execution, and smothering defense, and pinpoint accuracy from outside, and off the hook sportscenter highlight dunks every other time down the floor…..that’s very true….lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 9, 2012
Colin Powell
I like the Powell theory to battlefield plans: Bring overwhelming and catastrophic force (or something like that).
BarryM - February 9, 2012
Yep, it does no good to have a really big stick unless someone sees you use it every now and then to remind them who they are dealing with
Greg Alan Edwards - February 9, 2012
I LOL'd
NYCCats - February 9, 2012
I think that KSR has what UK's solution to Rivers would be.....
I think this is one good solution…..lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 9, 2012
I wondered how long it would take until someone photoshopped that
JLeverenz - February 9, 2012
Did you watch the game?
You couldn’t have if that’s what you think.
Carolina allowed Duke to do that. They refused to defend the strength of Dukes game, and stay home on shooters like UK did to Florida.
Glenn Logan - February 9, 2012
Yeah, it's one thing to miss an assignment on defense....it's another to stare it in the face and watch it bury you.......
Greg Alan Edwards - February 9, 2012
Roy Williams is channeling his inner Hal Mumme.
Let ’em shoot and push the ball down the court on offense again.
kywineman - February 9, 2012
Duke vs. UNC
Duke did shoot lights out. But that isn’t why they won. The last 5 minutes of that game was most horribly officiated. The scoreboard was controlled. There were some pretty obvious calls and no calls in those last 5 minutes. Just my opinion.
bigboyblue - February 9, 2012
Yeah,
I think teams would be really reaching to use this as bulletin board material. There is so many other things written about this team any coach having to use this to get his team up against the Cats has severe motivation problems.
hoboat33 - February 9, 2012
Funny, I said the same thing Cal did a few days ago, but to my Kentucky loving
family, not another team’s fan or the media for heavens sake. I just don’t want them to think they can waltzes in and take anyone with little to no effort and SC looked effortless, didn’t see the Florida game, but the highlights also looked effortless.
KYGRLNNM - February 9, 2012
I certainly don't want a tight game
against Vandy. I want to blow them off the court. I don’t want this team to doubt themselves by having Vandy play us close or beat us. Let a tight game happen against a lessor opponent, one that we know we should beat and then we scrape out a win. Of course I would rather have us just beat the heck out of everybody we play until we hang that 8th banner.
Grasslands1 - February 9, 2012
Vandy would not be the worst place to lose.
It would be easy to rationalize that their crazy gym had something to do with it.
kywineman - February 9, 2012
What is the point spread on Saturday's game?
UK1972 - February 9, 2012
After having just read the thread about swagger vs overconfidence,
on the other post today; I think Cal is real close to that line.
You really don’t want to motivate the other guys more than they already are. Throwing fuel on the fire is almost never a good idea (unless you’re really well trained; it can be useful in quickly blowing out a fire if done rapidly and very very quickly). Usually adding fuel to the fire just gets you very burned. I don’t think he meant it that way, but quotes in print often look very different than when they were uttered under a certain frame of reference or tone of voice.
sweasyf - February 9, 2012
If any of our remaining opponents need
that kind of motivation to get up for the #1 team in the country, then they are sorry indeed and highly unlikely to defeat us.
kywineman - February 9, 2012
Cal could get his wish about a team
going nutty on the Wildcats as Vandy could just do that this Saturday.
UKWildcats #1 - February 9, 2012
Syracuse vs Georgetown
is the sort of game I think Cal has in mind. Playing a team who with less talent who just keeps coming at you and either because the gods of the hardwood are smiling on them, or the refs can only see one color, or the rim on your end of the floor is too “tight” , you have to fight down to the last second. No putting the game into cruise, no 20 to 2 run, no breathing room when a sub can afford to make a careless error, but a never ending catfight.
Last year’s team was just showing on the radar about this time, but this year everyone has been watching UK highlights, and no one who has thoughts of going to the dance is going to be surprised at what this team can do if they let them. And some of those teams are going to have some memories and want to extract some vengeance, like OSU .and Kansas.
I think Cal wants them to know that they have to be willing to win even when things don’t go their way. How many games have we played where the outcome was iin doubt in the second half. How many with ten minutes left?.. with 5? How many have we had to fight our way back from a second half deficit? Not many since we beat UNC, so can we will a win when talent isn’t enough, and we meet a team with the same dedication to win?
I think this is what Coach is looking for, not a butt kicking like UNC got from Florida State. A loss like UNC just took from Duke could be the price, but he would be just as happy to get the lesson and still get the W. But the lesson is what he wants.
blenheim bard - February 10, 2012
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