UK basketball heads to South Carolina. Here’s what the Cats talked about Tuesday.
Takeaways from media interviews Tuesday previewing Kentucky’s game at South Carolina on Wednesday:
▪ Associate coach Kenny Payne, who substituted for UK head coach John Calipari, suggested Kahlil Whitney must try too hard to be successful. “I feel confident he’s going to fight through,” Payne said of Whitney.
▪ Whitney credited self-awareness for remaining even-keeled this season. The key to keeping a good attitude? “(I) just know my journey,” he said.
▪ Tyrese Maxey spoke glowingly of how Whitney has maintained a good attitude while not being an instant-impact player as a freshman. Maxey called him a “great dude. He’s my dog.”
▪ Payne said Nick Richards had to adjust to having a prominent role this season. In the past, “Nick was a piece to the puzzle, not the puzzle,” Payne said.
▪ Although South Carolina has lost its last three games, Payne said the win-loss records should be ignored. He spoke of the Gamecocks’ signature physical style under Coach Frank Martin. “You’ve got to be ready for a fight,” Payne said.
▪ Payne said Johnny Juzang has returned to practice. He missed the Missouri and Georgia games due to illness. UK cited a coach’s decision for Juzang not playing against Alabama.
Wednesday
No. 10 Kentucky at South Carolina
When: 6:30 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1
Records: Kentucky 12-3 (3-0 SEC), South Carolina 8-7 (0-2)
Series: Kentucky leads 52-12
Last meeting: Kentucky won 76-48 on Feb. 5, 2019, in Rupp Arena.
