Skal’s emergence allows UK pieces to fall into place
Freshman Skal Labissiere’s 11th-hour emergence does more than give Kentucky a productive big man, Coach John Calipari said Monday. Labissiere improves several positions.
“Skal being plugged in really kind of puts the pieces where they belong,” Calipari said on a Southeastern Conference teleconference.
With the pieces in place, Kentucky can contend for a national championship, Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl said. But Pearl added a qualifier.
“If Kentucky’s front line can play with any consistency and play well, Kentucky can win it all,” he said. “But when their front line gets outplayed, that’s when they’ve gotten beat. Because their backcourt has rarely been outplayed all year long.”
Labissiere was originally envisioned as Karl-Anthony Towns reincarnate. But he struggled for most of the season in the adjustment to a more physical style.
His development also slowed as Kentucky repeatedly tried to make him a low-post scorer.
Labissiere may have hit rock bottom at Vanderbilt on Feb. 27. He played only eight minutes, in part, because he picked up four fouls in that time. He finished with no points and one rebound.
The biggest thing is Marcus Lee is able to play to his strength, which is energy, offensive rebounds, tipping balls, (playing) around the goal. He’s not asked to do more (than he’s capable of doing). He can play to his sweet spot because Skal can do the scoring and all the other things you want that big man to do.
John Calipari
on how a productive Skal Labissiere changes Kentucky’s teamNone of UK’s other “bigs” did much either. That continued a season-long dependence on guards Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray. It also prompted a meeting with the big men in which Calipari and his assistant coaches emphasized the need for production.
As if on cue, Labissiere scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds at Florida three nights later. That was the most he’d scored since Jan. 27 and a season-high rebound total.
Labissiere followed up with 18 points and nine rebounds last weekend against LSU.
Calipari said Labissiere’s productive play impacts teammates.
“The biggest thing is Marcus Lee is able to play to his strength, which is energy, offensive rebounds, tipping balls, (playing) around the goal,” the UK coach said. “He’s not asked to do more (than he’s capable of doing).
“He can play to his sweet spot because Skal can do the scoring and all the other things you want that big man to do.”
Derek Willis provides similar help with his perimeter shooting.
With Labissiere and Willis productive, Ulis and Murray carry less of a load and enjoy more space to operate.
“Now, you have guys not asked to do things that would make them less than confident,” Calipari said. “All are in positions where (they can say) ‘I can do this. It’s who I am, and I can be confident.”
Instilling confidence has been a priority for Kentucky, Calipari said. It’s what he’s talked about for weeks.
Kentucky enters the SEC Tournament this week in Nashville having beaten Florida and LSU in the last two games of the regular season.
When asked on the teleconference for some general thoughts on the team going into the conference tournament, Calipari said, “I’m pleased. I’ve been pleased with this team. We’re just trying to continue to build confidence from within. … That’s been our mission the last three weeks.
“I love how the kids are responding, taking it on themselves. Their confidence, they own it.”
When asked about his recent improvement, Labissiere has credited associate coach Kenny Payne.
He has a great relationship with these kids. He doesn’t B.S. them. He doesn’t tell them what they want to hear. He tells them the truth.
John Calipari
on assistant coach Kenny PayneCalipari saluted Payne’s work.
“It’s not just big guys” that have been influenced by Payne, Calipari said. “He’s working with the guards and everybody.
“He has a great relationship with these kids. He doesn’t B.S. them. He doesn’t tell them what they want to hear. He tells them the truth.”
Payne is also a demanding taskmaster, Calipari said.
“He’s extremely hard on them,” the UK coach said. “He’s harder on them than I am, which is good for me because I’m tough, too. But I’m not as tough as him. He absolutely accepts nothing but their best.
“We’re not here to alibi. We’re not here to enable. We’re here to move you from Point A to Point B to Point C.”
Payne has been the subject of speculation about head coaching jobs. Calipari made it seem his associate coach is ready for a promotion.
“He took over at South Carolina and did a better job than I would have done,” Calipari said in reference to his ejection from the Feb. 13 game in Columbia. “As a matter of fact, if we play South Carolina again (in the SEC Tournament), I’ll probably be sick that day. Let him coach the team.”
Jerry Tipton: 859-231-3227, @JerryTipton
When: Wednesday-Sunday
Where: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
TV: SEC Network (Wednesday through Friday), ESPN (Saturday and Sunday)
Kentucky’s opening game: UK plays the winner of Thursday’s Alabama-Mississippi game in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. EST Friday.
SEC Tournament schedule
Wednesday
No. 12 seed Tennessee vs. No. 13 Auburn, 8 p.m.
Thursday
No. 8 Florida vs. No. 9 Arkansas, 1 p.m.
No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee-Auburn winner, about 3:30 p.m.
No. 7 Mississippi vs. No. 10 Alabama, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 11 Mississippi State, about 9:30 p.m.
Friday
No. 1 Texas A&M vs. Florida-Arkansas winner winner, 1 p.m.
No. 4 LSU vs. Vanderbilt-Tennessee-Auburn winner, about 3:30 p.m.
No. 2 Kentucky vs. Mississippi-Alabama winner, 7 p.m.
No. 3 South Carolina vs. Georgia-Mississippi State winner, about 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinals at 1 and about 3:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 1 p.m.
This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Skal’s emergence allows UK pieces to fall into place."