[DSRfan]

Something truly great, yet NOT to be expected, has been
going on at UK since Cal has been here. All 3 of his teams
have had just a rabid junkyard dog commitment to playing
defense.

With the fantastic success he has had recruiting, who
would have expected him to land so many players that would
so devote themselves to playing D? Top name recruits
who most all have been primary scoring options in high
school, and known for their offensive ability. The kind
of players who you expect with their athleticism to
be able to play defense okay, but the kind you usually
have to beat into acceptance of its necessity. Not
the kind that embrace it.

And it must be something Cal has great ability in instilling.
Cause once could be luck, twice astounding coincidence, but
there's no way that 3 straight classes like this could be
comprised of kids that will dedicate themselves on their own.

Cal rightly complained last night about the team's lack of
cohesiveness on offense so far, but with the talents and
abilities this team has, worrying about that is WASTED
effort. It will come together, and soon. And when it
does, god help college basketball. In the mean time,
UK fans have the luxury of watching a pack of wild dogs
tear apart UK's foes on the defensive end.

[Aslan]

We are by far the best defensive team in the land. It's not even close.
Cal is a great motivator, but those players aren't just playing for him. He's convinced them to play for the 24+ thousand at Rupp, the millions watching from home, for every player that's played at Kentucky, and pride.
Obviously UK is not the worst offensive team in college basketball, Cal's just using those comments as motivation for Saturday.

[DSRfan]

We are by far the best defensive team in the land. It's not even close.
Cal is a great motivator, but those players aren't just playing for him. He's convinced them to play for the 24+ thousand at Rupp, the millions watching from home, for every player that's played at Kentucky, and pride.
Obviously UK is not the worst offensive team in college basketball, Cal's just using those comments as motivation for Saturday.

I heard someone say that Calipari is trying to be the Lou Holtz
of basketball. A little exageration, but makes the point. Always
soft sell your team, and oversell your opponent.

[zaga_fan]

I think with this group of kids you would be stupid not to play to their strengths and shut people down with your defense.
With Gilchrist being able to guard multiple positions, having big strong guards, and Anthony Davis in the middle....
This team will give EVERYONE trouble.

[DSRfan]

I think with this group of kids you would be stupid not to play to their strengths and shut people down with your defense.
With Gilchrist being able to guard multiple positions, having big strong guards, and Anthony Davis in the middle....
This team will give EVERYONE trouble.

Which raises another point. Love Gilchrist's potential.
but UK slammed the door on SJ last night with him
basically a NO SHOW. He gets a little more seasoning
and the D will be out of this world.

[zaga_fan]

Which raises another point. Love Gilchrist's potential.
but UK slammed the door on SJ last night with him
basically a NO SHOW. He gets a little more seasoning
and the D will be out of this world.

There are a few teams in the SEC that he could probably shut down their 1 through 4.

And imo the reason Wiltjer can't get any more PT is his problems on defense.
They put him in for the first time last night to give TJ a rest and he got posted in 5 seconds.

[theVILLE]

We are by far the best defensive team in the land. It's not even close.
Cal is a great motivator, but those players aren't just playing for him. He's convinced them to play for the 24+ thousand at Rupp, the millions watching from home, for every player that's played at Kentucky, and pride.
Obviously UK is not the worst offensive team in college basketball, Cal's just using those comments as motivation for Saturday.

I dont believe anything this man says! This is jsut the comment earlier that he saids there was 60 or more teams that could beat UK

[vundy33]

I dont believe anything this man says! This is jsut the comment earlier that he saids there was 60 or more teams that could beat UK

lol man...he does that purposely, he doesn't really mean it, we all know that.

Rick Pitino has always done the same thing. Just another reason why they're such great coaches.

[zaga_fan]

I dont believe anything this man says! This is jsut the comment earlier that he saids there was 60 or more teams that could beat UK

Yeah
He should say that they are unbeatable and let them cruise through every game
That would be beneficial to the team

[WideRight05]

Calipari amazes me with how he motivates his players. Those guys go out and they play HARD. You look at some players, take DeMarcus Cousins for instance, he did a great job of keeping them in check and focused on the game. They always get after it on defense. It felt like one of our problems this past decade was with our teams not playing hard and aggressive on a consistent basis. Calipari has brought that mentality back to the program.

[Aslan]

There are a few teams in the SEC that he could probably shut down their 1 through 4.

And imo the reason Wiltjer can't get any more PT is his problems on defense.
They put him in for the first time last night to give TJ a rest and he got posted in 5 seconds.

Yes.
Cal said if Wiltjer would rebound and defend, he'd keep him in the entire game. But obviously, he's got improvement to do in those area's. He'll be here a few years and will. He's already the second most offensively skilled freshman to Rivers. He won't see a lot of PT this year, but Wiltjer will eventually be a UK great. Book it.