A ‘breakthrough is coming’ for Kentucky basketball’s Kahlil Whitney
McDonald’s All-American and consensus five-star prospect Kahlil Whitney surely hit a personal nadir in Kentucky’s victory over Louisville last weekend. He played two scoreless minutes.
Yet, fellow freshman Tyrese Maxey saw reason to believe.
“He was the biggest cheerleader,” Maxey said Friday. “Even after the game, he was really hyped and very positive, which is really good. That’s how you have to be.”
Assistant coach Tony Barbee, who substituted for John Calipari at the regular day-before-the-game news conference, also saw good things ahead for Whitney.
“He’s been great,” Barbee said.
Barbee suggested that Whitney, who is UK’s eighth-leading scorer (4.8 points per game) and rebounder (2.3 per game), is not necessarily underperforming. It’s just that former freshman stars like Anthony Davis, John Wall and Karl-Anthony Towns skewed how first-year players should be viewed.
“He’s a typical freshman,” Barbee said. “We’ve had so many atypical freshmen that people think that is the norm and that is the standard.”
Maxey said he has been advising Whitney not to put importance on scoring. Look to defend, rebound and get loose balls. Then the scoring will come.
Barbee said Whitney might be having to pay attention to “detail things” that his talent on the high school level made irrelevant.
Whitney, who scored more than 2,000 points as a high school player, has been “working his tail off,” Barbee said. “So, his breakthrough is coming. And his attitude has been great about it.”
‘A confidence deal’
In the last four games, EJ Montgomery has averaged four points and five rebounds. He has not shot a free throw in that span.
“He’s got to have a self-belief because we believe in him,” Barbee said. “He’s got to look in that mirror and see what we think he should be. And sometimes, I think he questions that.”
Barbee saw a positive sign in Montgomery’s two blocks in overtime against Louisville.
“When you really needed it, he went and did it,” Barbee said. “He was physical. He reacted.”
Barbee attributed Montgomery’s lack of production lately to “a confidence deal.” Playing more assertively can be uncomfortable, Barbee said. “If you stay in your comfort zone, you’re never going to grow.”
‘UMass Cal’
During the SEC coaches teleconference Thursday, Calipari said he had orchestrated “monster practices” since the victory over Louisville. Those practices included a toughness that hearkened back to “my UMass days,” Calipari said.
Barbee explained.
“It’s always been his kind of philosophy,” Barbee said. “You don’t want to let the guys rest on laurels or get too comfortable. So he wanted to maintain their attention as we head into conference play.”
Rupp Arena
SEC teams are more used to Rupp Arena, Barbee said. “So, (Missouri is) not going to be intimidated by what we bring to the table.”
Missouri’s Torrence Watson on facing the Rupp Arena atmosphere: “I don’t necessarily think we’re worried about the energy in the arena. We (will focus) on executing the game plan.”
Missouri Coach Cuonzo Martin said he liked road games as a player.
“I think the focus level, at least for me, was greater, was better on the road,” he said. “Minimal distractions on the road. Just the task at hand. Twenty thousand-plus. On the road. That’s a great feeling. I hope our players look forward to it.”
Like coach, like team
Missouri, at 8-4, reflects Martin’s personality, Calipari said.
“Physical, collapsing defense, block shots,” the UK coach said. “You’re not getting open, clear looks. That’s not how they play. … They play to (Martin’s) personality, which is grit, let’s go, we’re bringing it, we’re not afraid.
“It’ll be a really hard game for us to win.”
When asked about the team reflecting his personality, Martin said, “I would assume Cal was saying effort, play with a level of toughness. That’s what we try to exude every night on the floor because it gives you a chance. And when you do those things, they are things you can count on. Hard. Smart. Play without fouling.”
Transition a key
More than one Missouri player spoke Friday about the importance of limiting Kentucky’s opportunities to score fast-break points.
“We know we’re going to have to stop them in transition,” Watson said. That would include taking high-percentage shots and getting back on defense, he said.
Added guard Mark Smith, “They have good guards, and they get out in transition, so, obviously, stopping the ball in transition is a big thing.”
Etc.
Missouri sophomore guard (and recruited walk-on) Brooks Ford is the son of former UK guard Travis Ford. … Dave Neal and Debbie Antonelli will call the game for the SEC Network.
