When asked whether he received text and voice-mail messages on his cell phone after Kentucky's game against Tennessee on Saturday night, DeMarcus Cousins had a question of his own.
"Did I?" he said Monday. "It was crazy."
Messages from "a lot of Mississippi numbers" flooded his phone, Cousins said.
"It started right after the game," he said, noting that the callers used the "N-word" liberally.
"That's just showing their ignorance," he said. "It kind of made me mad at the beginning. Now I'm answering the phone and having conversations with them."
That hasn't gone without incident either.
Cousins said he answered his phone and heard the caller say, "What's up, (slur for a gay person)?"
UK Coach John Calipari made light of the messages left on Cousins' phone.
"I'm glad it was his and not mine," Calipari quipped before adding, "He's a fun-loving kid. None of that stuff, that's not bothering anybody."
If the callers hoped to unnerve Cousins before UK plays at Mississippi State on Tuesday night, Calipari said the effort would fail.
"He's fine," the UK coach said when asked about Cousins' often-discussed frame of mind. Cousins' volatility has resulted in four technical fouls and several other instances of referees checking a sideline monitor to judge his behavior.
Of his technical foul against Tennessee, Cousins said he said something inappropriate in defense of teammate Eric Bledsoe. Looking out for a teammate did not ease Calipari's anger over a technical foul, Cousins said.
Cousins acknowledged that his anger contributed to his 1-for-8 free-throw shooting against Tennessee.
"I just let my frustration get the best of me," he said. "I wasn't as focused as I should have been. I was playing mad. I was getting beat up a lot. I'd go up for a rebound and they were grabbing my arm. I couldn't get any calls."
Before Sunday's workout, Cousins came up and hugged Calipari, the UK coach said.
"What he was saying was, 'I'm sorry. Do you still love me?' " Calipari said.
SEC honors Wall (again)
For the fifth time this season, the Southeastern Conference named John Wall its Freshman of the Week.
Only one player, James Robinson of Alabama, has won that award more. He won it six times in the 1990-91 season.
The only other SEC player to win the Freshman (or Rookie) of the Week award five times is Chris Jackson of LSU. He won it five times in 1988-89.
Wall and other freshmen since 2005-06 have an advantage over previous players in terms of winning the award multiple times. The league did not give a Freshman or Rookie of the Week award from 1992-93 through 2004-05. And before 1991-92, the SEC did not give a Rookie of Week award in November or December. There was just one award given for December.
Wall averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in wins over Alabama and No. 20 Tennessee last week.
Calipari dismissed the importance of the award in terms of helping Wall. There had been talk of Wall's production slipping a bit in SEC play.
"He doesn't care," the UK coach said. "These guys, they really don't care."
The SEC named Jeffery Taylor of Vanderbilt as its Player of the Week.
Three-pointers
Mississippi State set a school record with 296 three-point baskets last season. The Bulldogs are on pace to break that record this season, having made 224 in 25 games. Point guard Dee Bost made a career-high seven against Auburn on Saturday.
In beating UK the last three games (the longest State winning streak against the Cats), State had more three-pointers in each game.
"They're going to shoot 30 threes," Calipari said. "If they made 18, we've got an 'L.' "
Calipari said UK defenders can't "fall asleep" as opponents milk the shot clock.
Tough stretch
Calipari recently told his team that the New Orleans Saints lost three straight games at the end of the regular season. Then the Saints won the Super Bowl.
Message: UK should not be discouraged if losses come down the stretch of this regular season. Beginning with State, four of UK's final six games are on the road. Mississippi State, Vandy, Tennessee and Georgia are a combined 17-3 in league games at home.
Etc.
The SEC assigned Mike Stuart, Mike Kitts and Michael Stephens to referee the game.
Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes and Jeannine Edwards will call the game for ESPN.
