Not a whole lot out of today’s Southeastern Conference Coaches Teleconference. Let’s quickly run through the highlights:
– Calipari called Sunday’s “Hoops for Haiti” telethon a “huge success.” Calipari said it was not only a worthy cause but “a great experience for our players to start understanding at a young age, you can use your fame and fortune for others.”
– The first-year UK coach said his team would probably rather just keep playing basketball than have a week off. He said he’s not sure his players realize that everyone around the league is starting to play their best game.
– Kentucky’s backcourt takes steps up and then it takes steps back, Calipari said. Against Auburn, UK had a chance to put the game away but then the Cats just started to turn it over. Calipari said there are still a lot of things they need to learn. “I’m trying to do everything I can to get these guys just to stay humble in the success we’re having and understand that we’re not as good as everybody thinks we are. But also stay hungry. Are you trying to get better? Are you trying to learn every day you step on that floor.” Calipari sounded worried that some of the players are starting to believe all the praise they’re receiving.
– A reporter from Arkansas asked about DeMarcus Cousins. Calipari once again emphasized his love for him, saying Cousins would be the first to give him a kidney if he needed one. Calipari said Cousins is in “the best shape of his life but he still needs to get better.” One of the biggest things they’re working on with Cousins is his body language. “He’s such a great kid, but in certain situations he’s still learning how to present himself because he only knows to frown or be sad. There is no reason. When you put him in front of a camera, he’s as good as Charles Barkley.” Calipari alluded to an interview he did with a kid Sunday on the telethon and raved about how good he was. Calipari called him intelligent and bright, but he’s still learning how to act on the court. If Cousins can learn to contain his emotions, “he will have as big an impact on college basketball as anybody,” Calipari said.
– LSU head coach Trent Johnson praised Calipari for the job he’s done this year, saying it’s one thing to have talent but another to get everybody on the same page competing hard. Johnson said one of the things that’s stuck out to him about this Kentucky team from day one is just how hard players like John Wall and Eric Bledsoe compete on a daily basis. A lot of that, he believes, goes back to coaching.
