By LARRY VAUGHT
For the first time this season, freshman Archie Goodwin played less than 20 minutes in Saturday’s 72-62 win over Auburn.
Goodwin, UK’s leading scorer, had just three points, two rebounds and one assist in 17 minutes of play. He was 1-for-6 from the field, missed his only free throw and had two turnovers.
“Archie was struggling a little bit and I didn’t start him in the second half,” said Calipari. “But again, I’m trying to get Archie to zone in on his team, what he’s got to do for his team and get out of how he’s playing because then you can’t make a shot, you’re afraid to make a play because you’re afraid you are going to screw up, versus I’m playing for the team, I know what the team needs me to do, they need me to drive. I need to come to jump stops for the team so I don’t jump over.
“If I miss some shots, it’s okay, they need me to be aggressive and score. But if you’re thinking about how you look, how it makes you look, it’s hard.”
Calipari again emphasized how he is teaching “life skills” and had former Wildcat Derek Anderson speak to the team Friday night. After reading part of Anderson’s new book about his life and what he overcame to become a UK star and NBA player, Calipari read portions of that book to his team at Saturday’s shoot-around.
“His story is a great story,” Calipari said.
Calipari hopes sitting Goodwin on the bench as much as he did and giving extended playing time to Jarod Polson — a SEC high 20 minutes — will help his freshman.
“We were fine without him. It’s good for him to see it, too. But he’ll be fine,” Calipari said. “He works hard. He’s the first one in, the last one out, and he comes at night and he wants to do well. Putting way too much pressure on him because he’s worried about how he’s playing. But this is — he’s 18 years old. He’s supposed to do some of this stuff.”
11 Responses to Calipari trying to get Goodwin to zone in on team and how he looks
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I love Archie. He’s one of the BBN family, but I must admit he frustrates me to no end sometimes. I could say the same for Alex as well. I wish Archie was more under control at times and I wish Alex would lose control a little more often. They are both super talented and I think they will eventually get it figured out, but they better hurry. March will be here before we know it, and this team needs Alex and Archie to be at their best. If they are playing good then the ceiling for this team is very high. This team can make a deep run in March, but Alex and Archie have to find themselves. I still have faith in them. They will be fine. Some guys just need more time to develop than others. Not every freshman is a Michael Kidd Gilchrist or Anthony Davis. We just gotta be patient. They really do care and are trying. They just need to figure out what this team needs them to do.
Agree with what Rodney says above about both Alex and Archie, but I am not so sure they are going to get it together if they haven’t by now. With the season on the downside and all the practices and teaching in between, they should be both be improving and they aren’t. I also am not so sure that Alex cares and is trying as hard as he can. Agree with some other posters that it wouldn’t be difficult saying goodbye to either of these guys. They are playing more like liabilities than assets.
I think Mike is much closer to the truth than Rodney, both of them are going down hill rather than improving. Don’t know why but neither one has a chance of going pro until they start playing better, a pro team would be nuts to invest money in them as of now
They Have 3 days, ‘ To get it together…Florida will be the Kitty Cats chance to become ” WILDCATS ” !!!
I LOVE my BBN and Kentucky basketball even more,but why don’t you just throw these kids and I mean KIDS under the bus.They are just freshmen’s and IF they stayed around for the full ride,by their senior season they would be the cream of all ncaa basketball.I enjoy this team just as much as last years and all of Cal’s team here at Kentucky.Myself I look for things that they do well,and for things they need to work harder at each and every game.The only liabilities here are fans like you
Things i would like to see’
Archie make a layup’
Archie pass the ball to an open team mate.
Archie become a rebounder.
Archie play defense.
Archie make free throws.
Archie start playing for UK .
You got it covered-especially the part about passing the ball to an open teamate! Anybody know how many assists Archie averages/game?
Mike, it’s hard to read your negative comments without wanting to take up for Archie and Alex. They both have had some terrific games over the past two weeks. They are typical freshmen so it will take time – be patient with our young fellows.
Mike, it’s hard to read your negative comments without wanting to take up for Alex and Archie. Both have had some terrific games over the last few weeks and I think we will see more out of them during the rest of the season. Coach Cal is a master motivator, so don’t give up on these two talented youg men who can’t help but play like the freshmen they are from time to time.
Both Archie and Alex have athletic skills which sadly to date have not transformed into “basketball skills.” It truly would be a sad day if either left since neither know the basics of the game.
Is it just me , but it seems likes Archie spends an awful lot of time laying on the floor waiting for a foul to be called.