Calipari playing the (unexpected) hot hand pays off in Kentucky’s win at Florida
Trailing 70-69 and looking to complete a comeback from an 18-point deficit, Kentucky called timeout with 27 seconds left.
UK Coach John Calipari decided to put winning or losing in the hands of … Keion Brooks?
“You look and say, ‘He’s only averaging five points (actually 4.3 per game),’” Calipari said of the expected second-guessing.
So, why did Calipari want Brooks to take the big shot, which he missed before EJ Montgomery’s tip-in set the final score?
“Because he was playing good,” Calipari said. “Whomever has it going, we go to them.”
This decision on Saturday put action into words Calipari spoke on Friday when he said Kentucky was a game-to-game team. That meant its inconsistency would mean going with the most productive players in any particular game.
Brooks’ 10 points marked only his fifth double-digit scoring game this season, and it was his first since Jan. 18 (and second since Dec. 14). That included 2-for-2 three-point shooting from a player who came into the game having made three of 17 shots from beyond the arc this season.
After the game, Brooks welcomed the responsibility of taking a big shot.
“Growing up hooping, I’m pretty sure that’s what everybody dreams of. Close game down the stretch. And you want the ball in your hands.”
Brooks was not the only unlikely UK hero.
Johnny Juzang chipped in 10 points, which marked only his second double-digit scoring game of the season.
Calipari noted Nate Sestina’s contributions, which included nine points and a season-high five offensive rebounds.
“Nate was huge today …,” Calipari said. “We need those three for us to do something (in the postseason).”
When asked about these contributions from players that Calipari has repeatedly called to step up, Nick Richards said something unexpected.
“That shows how deep our bench is,” he said. “We knew they could do it. … It was just a matter of time.”
Getting technical
With 18:13 remaining in the second half, referee Doug Shows hit Calipari with a warning about being outside the coaches’ box.
With 14:46, Shows called a technical foul when Calipari strayed outside box.
Then with 12:36 left, Shows again called a technical foul when Calipari was outside the box.
Thinking a second technical foul meant an ejection, Calipari began to leave the court. Ultimately, he coached UK to the finish.
Huh?
“When I walked out, I was going to get changed,” Calipari said. “And they said, ‘You’re not out.’ I said, ‘What?!’”
He learned that the first technical was on the UK bench.
“Oh great!” he said. “And I went back.”
Calipari denied wanting to get ejected as a way to inspire the Kentucky team.
“I thought I was gone,” he said, “and I wasn’t happy about it either.”‘
‘It’s crazy’
Of the comeback from 18 points behind, Calipari addressed reporters who cover Florida.
“I know you look (and say), ‘We had an 18-point lead and lost,’” he said. “We just had one against Tennessee and lost. At home.
“This stuff has happened 20, 22 times this season (in games involving SEC teams). It’s crazy. I can’t explain it. Don’t ask me what happened.”
Dodging bullets
UK’s 71-70 victory marked the 25th time in 31 games that the margin separating the teams was seven points or fewer inside the final seven minutes. It was the 17th time the difference was one possession inside the final six.
“We’ve been in so many close games, it’s incredible,” Calipari said. “… Some of it is the ball bounces right. Or you get a call or (the opponent doesn’t) get a call. You’re like dodging bullets.”
Being facetious?
Among the many handicaps Kentucky overcame was this leading scorer Immanuel Quickley’s foul trouble. He picked up his fourth foul with 13:35 to go. He fouled out with 9:04 left.
“I said the biggest play of the game to help us win was Immanuel fouling out,” said Calipari, presumably facetiously.
The UK coach then said he did not like how Quickley fouled out: reaching in on a driving Florida player.
“Why would he grab an arm with four fouls?” Calipari said. “… ‘Why did you do that? If you wanted to come out of the game, tell me.’”
Quickley responded by saying he didn’t want to exit the game, Calipari said.
“All of a sudden, we’re playing a bunch of young guys,” Calipari said. “And they played pretty good.”
Pouring water
The game was relatively meaningless. UK had clinched the SEC regular-season championship and No. 1 seed in the league tournament. The season’s primary focus — the NCAA Tournament — was two weeks away.
“They were pouring water on each other,” Calipari said of the victorious UK locker room. “… So they love to win.”
