By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky coach John Calipari was in Richmond, Ind., Thursday speaking at the Smart Futures dinner for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County after being invited by his friend, former NBA coach Del Harris who emceed the event.

Jan Clark of of Palladium-Item covered the fund-raiser and noted that Calipari had an easy answer for how he’ll cope with having basically a new team this year.

“Life is the same. It hasn’t changed. Just keep marching forward and prepare another team,’’ he said. “I’m not one to look in the rear-view mirror. Last year is over. That trophy is in the case. Now, how do we make this team the best team it can be. All we’re trying to do is make sure we’re bringing in kids that understand that this (Kentucky) isn’t the easiest place to play basketball,” he said.

“I tell them that they will have to play at a high level, train at a high level, play with other guys who can play, and you must share and do it together.”

He also took the opportunity to make take a playful jab at former Indiana coach Bob Knight for his remarks about UK players not attending class.

“A lot of people think players at our level don’t attend class or are given their grades. Absolutely not true. Anthony Davis, No. 1 pick in the draft, was a 3.8 student and he finished the school year,” Calipari said.