‘I love college basketball.’ Parting a sweet sorrow for Kentucky’s Sestina.
Takeaways from Monday’s news conferences previewing Tuesday’s Senior Night ceremony for Nate Sestina and Kentucky’s game against Tennessee:
▪ When asked what surprised him in his one season for UK, Sestina noted the support of his teammates when “I was going through that slump.”
▪ “I love college basketball,” Sestina said. He added that he’d like to play another season. His future plans are to play professionally “as long as my body allows me to.”
▪ Assistant coach Joel Justus, who substituted for UK Coach John Calipari, said, “I enjoyed the 22-year-old Nate. At times, he slips to the 13-year-old Nate.” When asked to describe the 13-year-old Nate, Justus said, “He tells bad jokes, and laughs at even worse jokes told by others.”
▪ Justus credited Sestina for sparking a player-driven team mentality by being a talker on the court. “When it’s player-driven, you have a chance to do something special,” Justus said.
▪ Justus on Immanuel Quickley’s play, which netted a second straight SEC Player of the Week honor: “I think it’s confidence. His confidence is sky high, and that comes from work.”
Tuesday
Tennessee at No. 6 Kentucky
When: 9 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1
Records: Tennessee 16-13 (8-8 SEC), Kentucky 24-5 (14-2)
Series: Kentucky leads 156-73
Last meeting: Kentucky won 77-64 on Feb. 8, 2020, at Knoxville, Tenn.
