For UK’s Nate Sestina, perfection is a hindrance to optimal performance
Graduate transfer Nate Sestina senses the clock ticking on his college career. That’s not a good thing, he said.
“I know I have limited time left in college basketball,” he said Monday. “And college basketball is a lot of fun. This is not cutthroat as next year’s going to be for some of us. Just trying got enjoy it.
“But I’m trying to play a certain way, and I feel I’ve been trying to play, like, a perfect role instead of just playing for, like, approval.”
Sestina, who has not scored double-digit points since his breakout 17-point game against Ohio State on Dec. 21, said he needed to change his approach.
“I just haven’t been playing freely …,” he said. “Being that energetic guy. I try to be in the right spot. … I think I’ve been trying to do it too much instead of just play.”
That’s what associate head coach Kenny Payne said he saw.
“We need him to relax and play hard …,” Payne said. “Fight. Energy. Toughness. Effort. … This team sorely needs him, and he’s trying. But, we need more.”
In UK’s last 10 games, Sestina has scored 51 points and grabbed 33 rebounds.
Sestina suggested the fractured left wrist that sidelined him for three games as a factor.
“Ever since I got hurt, I’ve tried to increase my level of play,” he said.
‘Carelessness’
Monday’s announcement that Ashton Hagans was one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award came amidst a time of struggle for the UK sophomore point guard. His six turnovers at Auburn gave him 15 in the three most recent games.
When asked about Hagans’ turnovers, Payne said, “I just think there’s carelessness. It has nothing to do with the defender. It has more to do with his mindset. … When we watch film, there’s eyes off the ball for no reason. (The ball) hits his foot for some reason.”
Payne suggested fatigue as a factor. Going into last weekend, Hagans had played the sixth-most minutes of any SEC player.
EJ progressing
EJ Montgomery has had one double-digit scoring game since Dec. 7, and two all season.
“He’s capable,” Payne said. “He’s a very good basketball player that has to learn to fight through his own demons. He’s heading in the right direction.”
100 pounds?
In assessing how UK would defend Mississippi State’s leading light, forward Reggie Perry, Payne said Nick Richards and Montgomery might share the assignment. Then in adding freshman Keion Brooks to the list, Payne said, “I don’t care if he’s 100 pounds bigger. You’ve got to fight.”
To which Brooks said with a smile, “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have 100 pounds on me.”
Mississippi State lists Perry’s weight as 250 pounds. UK lists Brooks’ weight as 205.
When asked how he could combat the size disadvantage, Brooks said, “This thing right here in my chest. My heart. That’s all it comes down to.”
Since 1946
On Jan. 14, Mississippi State defeated Missouri 72-45. Four days later, the Bulldogs beat Georgia 91-59.
It had been more than 70 years since Mississippi State last won by 25 or more points in two straight SEC games. On Dec. 13 and 14, 1946, State beat Florida 55-24 and Auburn 61-35, respectively.
First four out
Mississippi State presumably will come to Rupp Arena with incentive.
In the Friday update of his 2020 NCAA Tournament bracket, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi included Mississippi State among the first four teams out. The other three were Alabama, East Tennessee State and Virginia.
Lunardi had five SEC teams in the field: Kentucky as a four-seed, LSU and Auburn as five-seeds, Arkansas as an eight-seed and Florida as a 10-seed.
NCAA promotion
On Saturday, the NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee will name its top 16 teams in seed order and bracket them in the four regions: Houston, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and New York. The announcement will be at 12:30 p.m. EST on CBS.
Duke’s director of athletics, Kevin White, will explain the seeding and bracketing on the CBS show.
The seeding and bracketing is entirely preliminary in nature. Much can change in the following five weeks leading into Selection Sunday, the NCAA said.
The TV show is intended to promote the 2020 NCAA Tournament.
Etc.
Isaac Stansbury, whose father is Western Kentucky Coach Rick Stansbury, is a freshman walk-for Mississippi State. Rick Stansbury is the winningest coach in State history. He compiled a won-loss record of 293-166 as State coach from 1999 to 2012. … Mississippi State Coach Ben Howland is seven victories shy of 500 in his career. … Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes and sideline reporter Marty Smith will call the game for ESPN.
