Reading was fundamental to Nate Sestina’s big game in UK’s win at LSU
Who says print is dead? Nate Sestina credited a book he recently read for helping him be a difference-maker in Kentucky’s 79-76 victory at LSU on Tuesday night.
Sestina said the book, titled “10-Minute Toughness,” helped him deal with the frustration of not playing as well as he thought he could.
“I’m supposed to be a senior leader,” UK’s graduate transfer said after the game, “and I’ve been playing like I was a freshman (or) I was a high school player.”
The book, which UK Coach John Calipari recommended, offers advice on developing mental toughness.
“It’s a mental training thing …,” Sestina said. The book, which is authored by Jason Selk, details breathing exercises and advises readers to visualize success.
“Get rid of all the ‘don’t’ statements,” Sestina said. “‘Don’t foul.’ ‘Don’t do this.’ Think positively.”
Calipari said that it’s not unusual for him to suggest books for players to read.
“If I can leave them with one thing (it would be) read,” he said. “Tweak your mind. Be curious.”
The book tells a story about a female college athlete demoralized by an injury, but then she finds a way to resume playing well, Calipari said.
Sestina has had “buzzard luck,” meaning not catching a break this season, Calipari said.
“My teammates and my coaches have just been on my case about trusting my training and believing in myself and knowing everything is going to pay off.”
Sestina’s 11 points increased his college career total to 1,010.
His eight rebounds were the most he has had since getting 12 against Utah Valley on Nov. 18.
When asked about the rebounds, Sestina recalled an exchange with assistant coach Tony Barbee before the game.
“I always bump into him before I leave the locker room,” Sestina said. “He said, ‘Don’t let that be the last time you hit somebody.’
“I took it to heart. That’s the kind of guy I need to be for this team to be successful. And tonight was a really good stride and move forward to do that.”
It’ll even out
Against Ole Miss on Saturday, Kentucky made only two of 22 three-point shots. The first half at LSU was more of the same with UK making two of 10 shots from beyond the arc.
UK’s 7-for-8 three-point shooting in the second half bolstered Immanuel Quickley’s contention that poor shooting will give way to better accuracy.
“The numbers have got to balance out eventually,” he said. “They’ll probably go, like, 20-of-22 the next game. Something like that.”
Hard act to follow
In terms of staging memorable basketball drama, Kentucky and LSU had a hard act to follow. Earlier games in the series seemed like once-in-a-lifetime happenings. Except they kept happening when UK and LSU played.
For example:
In 1977-78, LSU beat No. 1 Kentucky in overtime despite all five starters fouling out.
In 1980-81, Kentucky beat LSU 73-71 in the regular season’s final game. Sam Bowie’s block in the final seconds preserved the victory and ruined LSU’s chances at an 18-0 SEC record.
In 1986-87, LSU beat Kentucky 76-41. It was the most-lopsided home loss in UK basketball history.
In 1989-90, Kentucky beat LSU 100-95 in a classic David-and-Goliath story. LSU had Shaquille O’Neal, Stanley Roberts and Chris Jackson. UK had no player taller than 6-8.
In 1993-94, the Mardi Gras Miracle. UK rallied from 31 points down in the second half to win In 1994-95. Walter McCarty’s go-ahead corner three is among highlights of past glories shown on a video before each home game.
In 1994-95, Kentucky beat LSU 127-80. It was the most lopsided defeat in Dale Brown’s coaching career.
Then last season Kavell Bigby-Williams’ controversial tip-in at the buzzer gave LSU a 73-71 victory over UK. The NCAA subsequently changed its rules to allow referees to go to the monitor to check for basket interference.
‘He’s good’
LSU Coach Will Wade did not sound surprised by Sestina’s near double-double.
“He’s a good college player,” Wade said. “Of course he’s going to make a wide-open shot. He had been shooting it well earlier in the year. I knew he had struggled lately. … He’s going to make plays when you give him those opportunities.”
Double figuring
LSU went into the game as one of only nine Division I teams with five or more players averaging double-digit points so far this season.
No. 2 Gonzaga had the most with seven players averaging 10.3 points or more.
LSU was one of eight teams with five players averaging double-digits. The other seven are South Dakota, Michigan, Buffalo, North Florida, Nicholls State, Kent State and Colgate.
Etc.
Among those in attendance were former LSU coach Dale Brown and the actor Jim Caviezel.
Caviezel portrayed Jesus in the movie “The Passion of the Christ.”
This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 1:52 AM.
