John Clay: Observations from Kentucky's open practice

**Stardust** · 02-16-2012, 09:54 AM

Random notes, while watching Kentucky basketball's open practice (for UK students and faculty) on Wednesday:

■ Only Kentucky and John Calipari would have a televised open practice during the middle of the week in the middle of the season.

■ Look for the NCAA to ban these sorts of things in the future.

■ Look for Digger Phelps to lead the charge.

■ Asked about the possibility that opponents could pick up something from watching the ESPNU telecast of the practice, Calipari said if someone could get something from viewing his practice to help a player, he had no problem with the whole world seeing it.

■ Of course, Shabazz Muhammad, Nerlens Noel and Andrew Wiggins live in that world, and probably have access to a television. But as Cal said before practice, most kids would be in class.

■ Muhammad is visiting Kansas for the Jayhawks' game with Missouri on Feb. 25, by the way.

■ The class conflict apparently applied to UK students, as well. The predicted estimates of up to 7,000 were wildly optimistic. There were about 2,000 in attendance.

■ It was an enthusiastic 2,000.

■ The player most in attendance appeared interested in seeing was point guard Ryan Harrow, the transfer from North Carolina State who is sitting out this season.

■ One interesting part of the practice and scrimmage, Calipari coached Harrow as hard, if not harder, than he did the players who actually play for him this year.

■ At one point, Calipari was making a point about defense when he asked, "If we let him go here who does he drive into? Spiderman. We're fine."

■ The crowd laughed.

■ At another point, the coach got on Twany Beckham for not listening. "That's why it's hard to put you in," Calipari said.

■ At another point, Cal was getting on Eloy Vargas, when he said, "Do I have to say it in Spanish?"

■ Even an Anthony Davis lob dunk in practice drew applause from the crowd.

■ During the scrimmage part, after an easy lob dunk, Calipari quipped, "I'm just glad we don't defend this way when we're playing other people."

■ One thing it is hard not to notice: Plenty of coaches get on their players for taking too many shots. Calipari is constantly encouraging his players to take shots.

■ From start to finish, with the exception of the TV cameras, and the crowd, it was like a normal Calipari practice.

■ Before the practice, Calipari told the media one reason he decided to hold the practice was because, without a mid-week game, he didn't want his team to get "numb."

■ Calipari said that they could not open the practice to the general public because of the lack of parking on campus.

As he said this, outside construction crews were working on the Wildcat Coal Lodge, which is taking up more (former) parking spaces.

■ Calipari before the practice: "I'm happy with the way we're playing, but I'm not satisfied."

■ Most (over) used phrase at practice: Only at Kentucky.

■ An SEC note: In the short term, Alabama Coach Anthony Grant may have cost his team an NCAA Tournament bid by suspending four players indefinitely, including his two leading scorers, JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell, who are still out.

In the long term, he will hopefully gain the rewards of doing the right thing for his program.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/15/20702...rylink=cpy