[Stardust]

During his radio show Monday night, Kentucky Coach John Calipari said Terrence Jones seemed "shell-shocked" since his desultory performance at Indiana on Saturday. If so, UK's All-American candidate would not be alone in stunned disbelief.

Dick Vitale, who worked the game for ESPN, said earlier Monday that he found Jones' play hard to believe or understand.

"Incredible," Vitale said. "This isn't the kid I picked for first team All-American."
Vitale said he wondered if Jones was sick or distracted by an on- or off-court problem.

"He looked like he was pouting," Vitale said. "He looked like something was bothering him. He looked totally not into the game."
Calipari acknowledged that, the lack of production aside, Jones did not make a good impression on anyone who watched the game

"He almost came across like bad body language and (bad) attitude," said the UK coach, who noted how unusual such an appearance would be for Jones, who had drawn praise in the pre-season for his diligence and enthusiasm.
In an attempt to explain Jones' almost indifferent play in Bloomington, Calipari suggested that Kentucky's practices during the week prior to the game were probably less intense than Indiana's.

Those practices "hurt Terrence more than anybody else," the UK coach said. "He looked totally like the game was too physical, too fast ... "

For Vitale, the nadir came in the game's final minutes when Calipari benched Jones as Kentucky tried to achieve a come-from-behind victory.

"If I was a player and I was a first-team All-American, I would say, 'Oh my God, the game's on the line and my coach has me on the bench,'" Vitale said. "'What is that saying about what I'm doing?'"

Another ESPN analyst, Jay Bilas, said he watched the game telecast. He, too, found Jones' play puzzling. When asked to explain why a star player might be practically a no-show, if not a detriment, in a nationally televised game against a traditional rival, Bilas said, "I don't know. That's the thing. Those things are hard to explain. Maybe he wasn't as mentally and physically prepared for that kind of atmosphere on that particular day."

UK officials did not make Jones available to reporters after the game.
On Sunday, Jones twice tweeted about the reaction to his performance. He wrote that he would remember the "haters." He also wrote that he and his teammates would ultimately make UK fans proud. Of the latter, Bilas said, "I don't doubt that for a second."

Vitale termed Jones' tweets as a good sign.

"He's showing some emotion and he's showing some sense of pride," Vitale said. "I have no problem with that."

While Bilas said poor play by standout players happens regularly, Vitale said the kind of performance by Jones was highly unusual.

"I've been doing games for 33 years," Vitale said. "I can't ever remember a great player in a game where I ever had to talk about (not) playing hard. I've had guys have bad games. Obviously, that happens to everybody. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he's sick. It was really embarrassing, to be honest with you. ...

"The kid has to look in the mirror," Vitale said. "There's no question he let his teammates down. It's not about putting up numbers. I have no problem with that. I have a problem if you're not playing hard."
Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/13/19926...IuhKQDRead more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/13/19926...z1gTIguaFc

[theVILLE]

If jones doesn't come out and put up 30 and 15 against Chattanooga I'd think it's a let down. It all depends on his next game and he comes back. He stayed in Lexington last game so let's see what he does. He just appeared to care less

[dangerousdaneerfan]

During his radio show Monday night, Kentucky Coach John Calipari said Terrence Jones seemed "shell-shocked" since his desultory performance at Indiana on Saturday. If so, UK's All-American candidate would not be alone in stunned disbelief.

Dick Vitale, who worked the game for ESPN, said earlier Monday that he found Jones' play hard to believe or understand.

"Incredible," Vitale said. "This isn't the kid I picked for first team All-American."
Vitale said he wondered if Jones was sick or distracted by an on- or off-court problem.

"He looked like he was pouting," Vitale said. "He looked like something was bothering him. He looked totally not into the game."
Calipari acknowledged that, the lack of production aside, Jones did not make a good impression on anyone who watched the game

"He almost came across like bad body language and (bad) attitude," said the UK coach, who noted how unusual such an appearance would be for Jones, who had drawn praise in the pre-season for his diligence and enthusiasm.
In an attempt to explain Jones' almost indifferent play in Bloomington, Calipari suggested that Kentucky's practices during the week prior to the game were probably less intense than Indiana's.

Those practices "hurt Terrence more than anybody else," the UK coach said. "He looked totally like the game was too physical, too fast ... "

For Vitale, the nadir came in the game's final minutes when Calipari benched Jones as Kentucky tried to achieve a come-from-behind victory.

"If I was a player and I was a first-team All-American, I would say, 'Oh my God, the game's on the line and my coach has me on the bench,'" Vitale said. "'What is that saying about what I'm doing?'"

Another ESPN analyst, Jay Bilas, said he watched the game telecast. He, too, found Jones' play puzzling. When asked to explain why a star player might be practically a no-show, if not a detriment, in a nationally televised game against a traditional rival, Bilas said, "I don't know. That's the thing. Those things are hard to explain. Maybe he wasn't as mentally and physically prepared for that kind of atmosphere on that particular day."

UK officials did not make Jones available to reporters after the game.
On Sunday, Jones twice tweeted about the reaction to his performance. He wrote that he would remember the "haters." He also wrote that he and his teammates would ultimately make UK fans proud. Of the latter, Bilas said, "I don't doubt that for a second."

Vitale termed Jones' tweets as a good sign.

"He's showing some emotion and he's showing some sense of pride," Vitale said. "I have no problem with that."

While Bilas said poor play by standout players happens regularly, Vitale said the kind of performance by Jones was highly unusual.

"I've been doing games for 33 years," Vitale said. "I can't ever remember a great player in a game where I ever had to talk about (not) playing hard. I've had guys have bad games. Obviously, that happens to everybody. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he's sick. It was really embarrassing, to be honest with you. ...

"The kid has to look in the mirror," Vitale said. "There's no question he let his teammates down. It's not about putting up numbers. I have no problem with that. I have a problem if you're not playing hard."
Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/13/19926...IuhKQDRead more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/13/19926...z1gTIguaFc

Stardust, do you even have to ask??? He is a "selfish M-F'er." No if's, and's, or but's about it.

[GetChili]

Everyone has a bad game. Everyone needs to get off his back.

[GetChili]

And as for being a selfish player, Terrence Jones is selfish. That was one reason why I didn't want him to come back this year.

[vundy33]

It's called a bad game people. Damn, Kentucky is so stupid...the people, not the team.

[Ballers]

Fix me some Chili..
Thats why I wanted you to come back this year.

[LWC]

^???????

[Stardust]

^ He had a long night....

[Spud6]

Players have bad games!!!!!!!!! Realize that

[Aslan]

And as for being a selfish player, Terrence Jones is selfish. That was one reason why I didn't want him to come back this year.

Hmm, no.
I can't explain what happened to him last Saturday, because that was more than just a bad game, but he's not selfish.
If he don't make the sacrifices he did last year, UK don't make the Final Four. Taking less shots and putting more energy into defense and rebounding is tough for a young player. Especially one that was projected to be a lottery pick. Heck that might have even hurt his draft stock. But he did it for the team.

[Stardust]

Look, Coach Cal is GOD! And if God calls you a "Selfish M***** F*****", then it is the Gospel. How can any true Blue Faith Believer not bow down to the words of Coach Cal himself!!!

[GetChili]

Like I said earlier, everyone has a bad game and Jones did on Saturday. He will bounce back though. But last year, he was selfish at times. He is not done that as much this season (which is a good thing) though, so he has learned to share the rock.

[Stardust]

Like I said earlier, everyone has a bad game and Jones did on Saturday. He will bounce back though. But last year, he was selfish at times. He is not done that as much this season (which is a good thing) though, so he has learned to share the rock.

Well, to be fair, we have only started the season. I don't recall Cal making that statement in the first 8 games of last year.

[DSRfan]

If jones doesn't come out and put up 30 and 15 against Chattanooga I'd think it's a let down. It all depends on his next game and he comes back. He stayed in Lexington last game so let's see what he does. He just appeared to care less

We definitely want to see him rebound with solid EFFORT, but
his point and board totals in this game are irrelevant. Spreading
the scorting wealth should be the naem fo the game tonight,
and we want to see him come back with big numbers in BIG
games.

[Overrated]

Probably just on a hangover.

[Mntsportsjunky]

If Jones is a 1st team all American then I'm Peter Pan's Brother. Get real!

[dangerousdaneerfan]

Hmm, no.
I can't explain what happened to him last Saturday, because that was more than just a bad game, but he's not selfish.
If he don't make the sacrifices he did last year, UK don't make the Final Four. Taking less shots and putting more energy into defense and rebounding is tough for a young player. Especially one that was projected to be a lottery pick. Heck that might have even hurt his draft stock. But he did it for the team.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see what Paypal Cal does with a head case. I know in Motown, Huggy would not put up with it for five minutes. Huggy made Devin Ebanks ride the bench for a little while before he got his act together in 2009-2010.

[itzAmazing]

Terrence Jones is an NBA star-caliber talent. Now, I have no idea what was wrong with him against Indiana. But, if he is mentally tough he will come out the rest of this season like a house of fire, which I believe he will.

[Stardust]

Terrence Jones is an NBA star-caliber talent. Now, I have no idea what was wrong with him against Indiana. But, if he is mentally tough he will come out the rest of this season like a house of fire, which I believe he will.

IMO, he is not as talented at this stage of his career as Patrick Patterson. PP is trying to find a role in the NBA. So what makes Jones better than PP? I'm not knocking Jones, but IMO, he is not ready for the NBA yet!

[WideRight05]

IMO, he is not as talented at this stage of his career as Patrick Patterson. PP is trying to find a role in the NBA. So what makes Jones better than PP? I'm not knocking Jones, but IMO, he is not ready for the NBA yet!

One difference between Jones and PP at this stage of their respective careers, PP had a much better attitude than Jones.

[FBALL]

Jones has a much better floor game than Patterson. It's not even close. Patterson has a much better attitude. It's not even close.

[Stardust]

Jones has a much better floor game than Patterson. It's not even close. Patterson has a much better attitude. It's not even close.

Depends on the position you are comparing. PP was definitely a 4. and as a four, his skills were much better in the paint than Jones. Jones, is not a strong inside player, thus he plays more like a three. As a three, he still is limited to offensive moves with his left hand.

[Aslan]

Dust is right. PP was a much better player at this point in his career. PP didn't have this kind of team around him either when he was a sophomore.

[itzAmazing]

I think Patrick Patterson was much more mature and understood game situations much better than Terrence Jones. His body was also built NBA-ready as opposed to Jones. I still believe Terrence Jones is more explosive, can handle the ball better, is more versatile, and even more athletic than Patterson. However, I do agree with the idea that Patterson's attitude was much better than that of Jones at the same point in their respective careers.

[Stardust]

Dust is right. PP was a much better player at this point in his career. PP didn't have this kind of team around him either when he was a sophomore.

Think about what he could have meant to all 3 of these Freshman classes had he came in with them and was able to stay with any of these three groups for four years.

[Aslan]

I think Patrick Patterson was much more mature and understood game situations much better than Terrence Jones. His body was also built NBA-ready as opposed to Jones. I still believe Terrence Jones is more explosive, can handle the ball better, is more versatile, and even more athletic than Patterson. However, I do agree with the idea that Patterson's attitude was much better than that of Jones at the same point in their respective careers.

Bottom line, for one game, who do you take? I think most of us would agree and take PP.
PP's one of my favorite Cats because he struck through this program at one of it's lowest point.

[itzAmazing]

Bottom line, for one game, who do you take? I think most of us would agree and take PP.
PP's one of my favorite Cats because he struck through this program at one of it's lowest point.

At the current moment, for one game, I would take Patterson. I basically know what I'm going to get from him: toughness, rebounding, and leadership. With Jones, it's hard to predict how he's going to perform.

[Stardust]

^ Great post, and you hit my comments did on. PPat fits all roles that a team would need. Plus, give me his discipline on defense any day!

[WideRight05]

To be one of the great players in the country, you can't just show up and play your best when you feel like it. Jones has to realize that no matter who the opponent is, you always have to play at your best level.