By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky coach John Calipari likes being able to use social media to connect directly with fans rather than having to rely on media members to convey his thoughts to UK fans.

“The greatest thing about social media is I can keep everybody informed on how I’m thinking, not what you think I’m thinking. They know what I’m thinking and why I’m doing it because I tell them, ‘Here’s why I’m doing this.’ That’s why our fans have been great. They have been great. Now you can write that the fans are all mad. Those seven are mad. But the fans as a whole are great. They’re fine with what we’re doing. That’s what I said. I’m happy with our schedule,” said Calipari.

He’s just as giddy about the next team he has put together.

“I’m happy with my team right now. I like the team we have. Someone said, ‘how are we doing it?’ Well we’re doing it because we’re not having nine and 10 and 11 players on the team. My first year, I did. You know what? That was my team that we weren’t a great execution team. What did I mean by that? We weren’t a great execution team. We weren’t a real good team. We were good players. We weren’t where we needed to be as a team. It was hard for that team and we played 10,” Calipari said.

“And then, the next year we play six guys and all of the sudden by the end of the year, we’re the best team in the country. Last year, we play seven guys. The best team in the country obviously, team and players. And so, I like what we have coming back. Again, freshmen, sophomores and a senior. We have a couple guys that are hurt that are going to have the chance to now show that they should be playing or not playing.”