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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-25-2015, 01:26 PM:

He sure has done a great job getting this team playing like a well oiled machine.

Going into tonight’s game at Mississippi State, Kentucky coach John Calipari continues to want one main thing from his players.

“We're working on each individual player becoming the best version of themselves. Not just our schemes, our plays, team, the program, take the names off the back. This is about each individual player becoming the best version of themselves,” said Calipari.

“They care about one another. They're unselfish. Let's just get better individually. I'll worry about the team stuff. They're worried about each other. I'm worried about each individual guy. It's been a fun thing to go through.”

Kentucky is 27-0 going into tonight’s game but point guard Andrew Harrison is the perfect example of a player Calipari has seen improve dramatically in recent weeks.

“When Andrew plays where he's attacking the lane, he is a totally different player. Let me say this: To play that way all the time is really hard. That means you have to be alert. That means you have to be playing before you catch the ball. It means you have to play with speed and pace all the time. When you throw it ahead, you're ready to get it back and attack the lane. Really hard to play that way,” said Calipari.

“But when he does and that's who he is, he's as good as any guard in the country. The same when he posts the ball. If he's ready to play before he catches it when they throw it out of the post or off a drive, that's where he's getting to.”

Calipari also said Harrison’s improvement includes what he’s doing on the defensive end.

"He's defending the ball better. He's playing weakside where he's a defensive playmaker. And again, we all expect these kids to be the finished product at the beginning of the year. This is all a process for all of these kids. Every single one of them,” Calipari said.

Link

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-25-2015, 01:29 PM:

When Andrew is playing at his best this team can beat anyone. It starts with the point guard and if he is directing traffic and getting the ball to the open man we are at our best.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-25-2015, 06:01 PM:

I'll take our two point guards over any other tandem in the country!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-25-2015, 06:46 PM:

We have to have one of the very best guard combo's in the country.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-25-2015, 06:47 PM:

I would think our 2nd combo of Ulis and Booker would rank at the very top too.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-25-2015, 06:50 PM:

SUre when you think that our second 5 platoon could be a top 20 team by themselves!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-25-2015, 10:44 PM:

We are deep no doubt about it.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-26-2015, 06:08 AM:

I think coach treats these boys just like they were his kids. We all want our kids to be the best that they can be!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 11:54 AM:

Coach Cal treats all his players the same every year. That's what has made him such a good coach all these years.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 11:56 AM:

We can be assured next season will be no different and we again will be right up their come tournament time in 2015-2016.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 12:00 PM:

Cal has had only one team while at Kentucky that didn't make the NCAA tournament. That year we lost in the first round of the NIT to Robert Morris. (2012-2013).

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-26-2015, 01:20 PM:

That year is also the reason why you will never see Cal with a short bench. Probably ever again!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 01:58 PM:

This year is 9 deep and every player is a possible NBA player.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 01:59 PM:

I forgot Poy, when he gets back to normal he too could make it to the NBA.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-26-2015, 02:25 PM:

Yeah, POY makes 10

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 02:33 PM:

That's awfully good for one team and shows what depth can do.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 02:35 PM:

2015-2016 will be awfully good too and depending on who stays we possibly could be just as good as this season.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-26-2015, 02:35 PM:

No surprises

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 02:38 PM:

It's going to be interesting who will actually be coming in as freshmen. It seems like a lot of the recruits are waiting to see who leaves and who stays.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 03:35 PM:

Bama, if you read this what do you think about how many schoolies we will have to fill? We all ready have commitments.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-26-2015, 10:17 PM:

You can't blame these kids for waiting!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-26-2015, 11:44 PM:

It's great they are waiting and means they really want to play for the Cats.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-27-2015, 06:10 AM:

BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE! Wasn't that an ARMY Slogan?

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-27-2015, 09:14 AM:

I really think next year will be a lot like this year and we are going to see a whole lot of wins. The dominance just will continue just like the Rupp and UCLA era's.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-27-2015, 12:21 PM:

I hope you are right

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-27-2015, 01:57 PM:

I know all of us Cat fans hope next years team is like this one.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-27-2015, 06:57 PM:

Yeah it wouldn't upset me if we never lost another game!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-27-2015, 11:06 PM:

I bet their isn't a "true" Cat fan in the country that doesn't hope next years team is like this one or better. That's a no brainer.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-28-2015, 08:26 AM:

Yeah, but hopefully most Cat fans are realists too!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-28-2015, 09:52 AM:

That's why we are confident we are realists and anyone can see the talent we have.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-28-2015, 10:06 AM:

I meant, as far as expecting this type of a record every year!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-28-2015, 01:37 PM:

I see what you are saying.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-28-2015, 01:41 PM:

Expecting and wanting are two different things!