Dodson may not be out of Calipari’s doghouse
November 18th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
There was a reason Darnell Dodson didn’t get to play as much in Kentucky’s second game as he did in the season-opening win over Morehead State when he had 15 points in 30 minutes.
“I was so mad at him earlier in the week,” said Kentucky coach John Calipari Wednesday. “I said things and used words I have not used here.
“The other thing was Darius (Miller) was playing better and I wanted to keep him going.”
Dodson was 3-for-4 from 3-point range and had nine points in 18 minutes in the 72-70 win over Miami.
“He went in and helped. He didn’t play much the second half, but he went in the first half and helped stop the bleeding,” Calipari said.
So is Dodson out of Calipari’s doghouse going into Thursday’s game against Sam Houston State?
“I don’t know. We will see,” the UK coach said. “Guys are going in and out all the time.”
Calipari said there was a simple explanation for Dodson’s time in his doghouse.
“He is not doing what I like in practice. The greatest thing I have is the bench (to put players on),” Calipari said.
Calipari has had sophomore guard DeAndre Liggins on the bench for both exhibition games as well as both regular-season games. The coach would only say Liggins was “getting better” and didn’t indicate if he would play or not.
Freshman Jon Hood also did not play against Miami. After the game, Calipari said when he didn’t play him the first half, he decided not to use him the second half.
“Jon had not practiced for three days. If you do not practice, you do not play,” Calipari said Wednesday.
What was wrong with Hood? Was it his wrist as some have speculated?
“I think he got hurt,” Calipari said. “There are all levels of hurt.”
Just like there are all levels of evaluation after a game. Calipari was not pleased with his team’s overall play and noted again Wednesday that “we have got a long way to go.” However, he added, “I saw Kansas (barely beat Memphis) and I felt better. Maybe we are not so bad,” the UK coach said.
He went on to say he would start having this team watch more game tape daily than he had the past four years at Memphis when his veteran teams normally watched no more than five to 10 minutes of tape per day.
“This team may need an hour every day,” Calipari said.
He may also forego some instructional drills for more scrimmage time.
“We need to learn about the pace of the game more. We need drills, but we need to be a team that understands pace,” Calipari said.
“I have learned you cannot have a team that is great at everything. You will be good at some things and not so good at other things. I am still trying to figure our guys out.”
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26 Responses to “Dodson may not be out of Calipari’s doghouse”
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Larry, FYI, I think you mean Calipari said not Dodson said.
I didn’t get a lot of positive vibes from those notes. Coach can tell us he was ecstatic about being down 18, but I wonder if it has put him a little on edge? Perhaps he has a little more work cut out for himself than anticipated.
To beat the good teams, Dodson will have to play more than Miller . Harris will need a seat and a cigar on the other far end of Liggins.
practice we talking about practice?
So this was what the press conference was about? Is he suspended?
Hey Gabe, Cal himself is the one who has tried to keep us fans in the world of reality by repeatedly saying that this team has such a long way to go. I think maybe he was being honest when he said Miami would be a “challenge” for his baby Cats; I stupidly thought he was just setting us up for a present surprise in a blowout against Miami. Just the other day Cal said that he loved this team but he didn’t love where it was at, progress wise.
I can’t recall ever an early-season rash of losses and close calls by the “big guys” against the “little guys”. So we’re definately not alone among the highly ranked teams having a tough early start. I’m beginning to think there’s not as much difference between the haves and have nots as we’ve been used to historically. And this would be good if true.
Any word on the basketball commit you were hearing about?
I guess our honeymoon is over, reality is going to set in…bummer. It’s still going to be a great season and fun, just gonna take some time to get the guys all on the same page. Come Feb. and March all will be well. GO CATS!
No mention of suspension. Notice Cal said he was mad Monday and not sure he really intended to play him then. But you have to like the tough love he is showing these guys early
No word on any commit yet and don’t think there is going to be one
RE: Jon HOOD… I think when Coach says there are ALL kinds of hurts that he was not talking about a physical issue.
Cats in the doghouse… watch out!
I thought he was questioning whether he was really hurt or not
jimcats: This is the age of the athlete, If you Put a well coached bunch of athletes on the floor you can play with anyone..Its all about putting the rock in the hole… I think that this is the best thing that could have happened to this team..Meaning, we are playing these games against experienced teams, Who mentaly are not intimidated by the Jersey’s..We have A team like that comeing up on Saturday with RIDER…I hate to hear about any team disfunction, But Coach is Making it clear who is in charge..sometimes you have to show tough love to bring a team together IMO!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
But we have started seeing these mid-majors excel since the scholorship limits were put In..Also, I think that you are only allowed 8 or 9 scholorshps in a two year period..I may be wrong, they may have changed it..Is that right Larry? But that is the major reason for these”smaller schools” to be so competative…More Quality players More or less haveing to go to those mid-majors..Larry, What are the limits? I know its 13 for a team, but is there still a 2 year “CAP”? But i believe DODSON will be Fine, So far he is the most consistant from 3..Hope he gets his heart right….GO BIG BLUE!!!
[...] Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports on Darnell Dodson’s spot in Calipari’s doghouse. [...]
Two words. GROWING PAINS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR GO HOME
Growing pains is a good word here. I can’t remember about the scholarship limit, but I think the NCAA finally did away with that. Will try to check on it
It will not matter how much this team improves if we don’t improve our free throw shooting. It will be the end to our season in March. Didn’t free throw shooting cost Memphis and Cal the National title a few years ago. 58% is not going to cut it. These guys are 5 star recruits and cant make a FREE throw. Really? Come on Cats, step your game up.
Fair point and even Cal has joked about howing he has turned a 76 percent free throw shooting team last year to 55 this year. They should be better and have to get better. Agree on that
Larry, I heard you wondering about a redshirt for Liggins on WKYT this morning. Has anyone asked Calipari about that? Would Liggins be open to red-shirting? What is Calipari’s policy on red-shirting kids? It might be the best thing that could happen for Liggins.
The 8 scholarship limit over 2 years was rescinded a few years ago.
D Liggins is not playing due to something that happened LAST SEASON.
Thanks Jack. I just could not remember.
That was just me speculating about redshirting being best if Cal wanted Liggins around a fifth year. Have heard the same as you Brian, but no way for me to verify and Cal won’t talk
THANK YOU JACK!!! I thought they had, I never liked that rule, You could have 2or 3 transfer and graduate 8 in two years,and would have to sign walk ons to stay under the CAP..Thanks again JACK. The 13 limit has evened things out some across college basketball…Alot of talent out their..The AAU circuit has done more for the talent in the last 15 years than any thing IMO!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
We ain’t talking bout the game, we talking back practice….
Not sure I am with you Kenny. I think LIggins’ problem is off court and Dodson’s might be, too. Not sure either one is just practice related