By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky coach John Calipari said today he knew Alex Oriakhi was not going to transfer to UK when he left Connecticut. But he knows what an impact he has made for Missouri going into Saturday night’s game with UK.
“I met with he and his family. He’s a great kid and a terrific basketball player. Really physical and tough. Has made them. Without him, they’re not the same team,” Calipari said. “Without him, they’re not where they are right now. So it was a great pickup for Frank.
“I just watched their Florida game. They’re a good team. They’re good. They ball. They’re not afraid. They’ll fight, they’ll battle. They’ll make tough plays. They got more than one player that can make a play, so they don’t have to run plays to make baskets. They have players that make plays. They’re good.”
2 Responses to Calipari says without Oriakhi that Missouri would not be the same team
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Calipari has downplayed this game. He says that others are saying that this is a make or break game. I don’t know if it is quite that, but I think that it is important. I do think that UK will be invited to the NCAA tournament. IMO they need 20 wins and that surely will come. Seeding is now at stake. Missouri is not ranked, but they are 34th in the RPI ranking. UK is 0 and 4 against the top 50 RPI and 4-4 vs RPI teams 51-100. They need this win. Lose it and the only meaninful foe will be Florida.
I see this season as a test of Calipari’s system. The system includes: 1. A parade one and dones who will be the bread and butter of his team. 2. Play mostly 7 players, have a short bench, and hope the refs don’t call many fouls and that no body will get hurt. 3. Schedule soft so that the freshmen can mold themselves into a team. 4. Showcase your stars so that they will be drafted as high as possible. Seldom play subs so that stars can get as much national attention as possible. 5. Stay in the recruiting mode and try to have the next year’s team committed as soon as possible. 6. Spread propaganda as far and wide as possible. Say things like Gold Standard, It’s the kids, getting kids drafted high is the most important thing that UK does. Helps wow the parents and gets more recruits.
Propaganda? Come on Joe you sound critical. A test of his system? Cal is just is a great recruiter who has the kids best interest at heart and tells them the truth about what is expected at UK in order for them to go pro. I like Cal’s system just fine. It’s hard to argue that it’s not working. I will like his system even better next year with the class he has inbound, and with some kids possibly coming back and creating more depth. I also expect a down year every now and then too. Again I remind you; elite 8, final 4, national champions. Not bad in my book for a body of work over a 4 year period. I can take some more of that kind of success for many years to come.