Quickley says he’s started closing his eyes before shooting free throws
The “Nick and Quick Show,” as UK sports information director Tony Neely labeled Kentucky’s victory over Missouri on Saturday, included positioning for a possible Name, Image and Likeness opportunity in the future.
Immanuel Quickley, whose game-high 23 points complemented Nick Richards’ double-double, said afterward that he had begun closing his eyes before shooting free throws.
Since Quickley came into the game as the third-best free-throw shooter in the country (94.9-percent accuracy), the obvious question was: why change?
“Maybe it’ll help me get an advertisement or something,” Quickley said.
When the burst of laughter from reporters subsided, Quickley said his routine had been to take a deep breath before shooting free throws. He started closing his eyes before the shots last weekend against Louisville.
“Visualizing the ball going through the net has really helped me a lot,” he said. He made all nine free throws in UK’s 71-59 victory over Missouri.
Quickley also made a career-high four three-point shots against the Tigers. More than one came in transition.
Teammate Nate Sestina said Quickley excels in a drill late in practices when the players shoot threes in transition.
“Everybody’s legs are tired …,” Sestina said. “And he makes 15 in a row. He’s pretty incredible. He’s our go-to guy at the end of games when our legs are tired. We trust he is going to make those shots.”
The semester break means more time to shoot extra shots, Quickley said. Plus, he finds Rupp Arena a good place to shoot.
“I love the rims at Rupp,” he said. “They’re really soft.”
‘He’ll be fine’
Freshman Kahlil Whitney’s struggles continued. After playing a scoreless two minutes against Louisville, he went scoreless in eight-plus minutes against Missouri.
One of his two shots was a dunk attempt that Missouri’s Reed Nikko blocked.
Whitney’s averages slipped to 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds, but his teammates said he would not be too stressed by the blocked dunk.
“He’s an 18-year-old kid,” Sestina said. “So, it happens. You get a dunk blocked. Well, the next one’s going to go on the (defender’s) head. I can say that right now because I know that’s how he plays. He’s doing to do the same thing next time, and he’s going to dunk it next time.”
Quickley likened Whitney’s struggles to his own as a freshman last season. Both struggled with the adjustment to a faster game.
“Some people make the jump really fast,” Quickley said. “For somebody like me, it takes a year. Kahlil, he’ll be fine. He’s a great player. He has a great attitude about all of it. He’s always leading the huddle.”
Do better
UK Coach John Calipari said the team needs more production from EJ Montgomery, Keion Brooks and Whitney. The three made two of nine shots, scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in a combined 33 minutes and 39 seconds of playing time.
“They’ve got to play better,” Calipari said. “Part of that is just be rougher. You can’t have your offense tied or your emotions tied to your offense. You miss a shot. You miss a dunk. So what?”
Juzang ill
Freshman Johnny Juzang was not available for the game because of a virus.
“We kind of separated him from the team …,” Calipari said. “He’s in one of the rooms in the lodge, but off by himself.”
The UK coach said his wife, Ellen, made Juzang vegan cookies. “I brought them over and slid them under the door,” Calipari quipped.
Must see TV
Sestina said his father texted him a photograph of people gathered in the basement of St. Mark’s church in his hometown of Emporium, Pa., to watch the Kentucky-Missouri telecast. In a town of about 1,900 people, more than 100 might come to the church to watch the game.
“It’s awesome to see that because I know everybody there …,” Sestina said. “Most of the time, you’re supposed to be quiet upstairs. But you can be a little louder down stairs.
“It means everything. If I can be a light for a place that’s kind of dim, that’s what I’m going to try to be.”
Cal impersonation
Calipari is not the only person prodding Richards for more. After Richards had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Quickley said the big man “should have gotten 40 and 24.”
When it was noted that he sounded like Calipari, Quickley said, “I definitely have the best Cal impersonation. I can’t do it right now. There’s too many cameras.”
Quickley did offer one inspiration for his Calipari impersonation. “The funniest thing he does is when he does his jump when he gets this high off the ground,” he said while moving his hands an inch apart. “And his arms go way up in the air.”
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 8:06 PM.
