By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky coach John Calipari thought his team played selfish basketball in its 84-67 loss to Connecticut last week in Maui.
His players didn’t disagree Monday with the coach’s postgame analysis, but they also thought there was a sense of panic, especially among the freshmen, when UConn built a big first-half lead.
“The new guys are not used to being down, especially by 21 points. When it was like 10, 11 or 12, you know that was fine. We could go into halftime, especially where we had foul trouble, and be okay,†said senior center Josh Harrellson. “But when it gets to 21, everyone starts panicking not knowing what to do. It was really tough to come back from that.â€Â
Junior guard DeAndre Liggins hinted that maybe Kentucky did a bit too much celebrating after beating Washington 74-67 in the tourney semifinals and was not focused like it should be on UConn.
“I think Washington was a big game for us and was an energy game that caused us to take UConn for granted the next game,†Liggins admitted before UK’s practice Monday. “They came out and punched us in the mouth. We were so fired up for Washington it took our energy away when they did that.
“It is a tremendous lesson for our young guys to learn. They have to learn what college is about. I have been here for a while and know what it takes, but I have to learn, too. We have to stick together as a team.â€Â
Did he sense any panic?
“I don’t know. Maybe. We have to keep learning as a team and trusting each other and talking more on the court,†he said.
The 10th-ranked Wildcats return to action Tuesday night when they host Boston University, the America East preseason favorite even though the Terriers only returned three players from last year’s team. Still, Boston University is 4-2 with wins over Cornell, George Washington and Nevada and lost only 82-66 at then No. 6 Villanova.
Boston returns starting forwards John Holland, who is averaging 17.9 points per game, and Jake O’Brien, who adds 9.9 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds per game. A third returning starter, junior Jeff Pelage, is out with an ankle injury.
8 Responses to Did Cats panic against Connecticut?
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Unlike many people, I think this team will be just fine. I don’t read anything into the performance against UConn, other than a tired, young team, who got a little full of themselves after the amazing effort against UW. They will and probably already have learned that they will not be given anything. They cannot rest on their laurels or expect a team to roll over because of the name on the front of their jersey. They will have to give a punch to the mouth, as well as take one, to survive in major college basketball.
I think the message was received loud and clear and I think we will see a re-dedicated team give a tremendous effort, from here on out. I believe they will absolutely dominate Boston and I look for a pretty sound beating of UNC as well.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Ditto Jim, I’m not worried one bit. I would not trade this team for any money in the world…it’s so much better then when we were under a psycho coach or the coach that no longer cared. It’s just the beginning of the season and they need to learn to work together. GO CATS! NEUTER THAMEL!
BTW, Tomorrow is Joe B’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE! 82 years young and I still don’t understand why he is not in the NC2A Hall of Fame or Basketball Hall of Fame! Coach Hall is one of only 3 men to both play on a NCAA championship team Kentucky, 1949 and coach a NCAA championship team Kentucky, 1978. In his his 13 years as head coach Joe B had 9 SEC titles, there were no tourneys during 1972-78. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
I agree. Joe B. had the toughest job in bball, succeeding Adolph Rupp. Unlike other coaches who succeeded world famous coaches, Joe B did it his way and was a winner. I loved his teams. They could run and shoot but also could bang away with big guys in the middle. He was a super recruiter and coach.
I think Joe B doesn’t get the credit he deserves. A Kentucky boy who was a big time coach, gentleman and always, a humorist.
Happy Birthday, Joe, from all your fans who have followed your career.
Well said, Paul. I hope Joe B sees our comments. My husband always said he didn’t want to be the man who filled Rupp’s shoes but the next one. I think Joe did a wonderful job and look what happened with the guy that filled his! GO CATS!
I agree Linda. He should be in the Hall of Fame. No reason for him not to be
Oscar Combs just said that Joe B has been nominated for the basketball hall of fame.
Well deserved.
YEAH JOE B!