‘This is why you come to Kentucky.’ Cats face ‘ultimate challenge’ at No. 5 Kansas.
Playing No. 5 Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse, which ESPN analyst Jay Bilas has called the “St. Andrews of college basketball,” Kentucky is aware the uphill climb it faces Saturday night.
“This is the ultimate challenge,” UK Coach John Calipari said Friday.
Kentucky, which has a 1-3 record against ranked opponents this reason, may be short-handed. Calipari said among those missing Thursday’s practice were freshman standout TyTy Washington, versatile defender Jacob Toppin, freshman “big” Daimion Collins and assistant coach Ron “Chin” Coleman.
Calipari did not sound optimistic about Washington playing at Kansas.
“If TyTy is not 100 percent, this isn’t the game you play a guy who is 80 percent,” the UK coach said. “It’s just not. Same with Jacob. After a recent game, Calipari suggested that Washington’s ability to create would be valuable in games against superior opponents that come down to possession-by-possession abilities. X-and-O strategies diminish in importance.
“In the last three minutes, it’s players making plays,” Calipari said. “Not offense creating a shot for players because we all scout each other.”
Keion Brooks acknowledged Washington’s importance to the team.
“Extremely important,” he said. “He does a lot for this team.” Shot-making and creating for others have been trademarks of Washington’s offense. “He’s also one of our better communicators out there,” Brooks said. “The times we didn’t have him were difficult. But we have guys stepping up.”
Washington seemed to injure an ankle when he came down on Oscar Tshiebwe’s foot after shooting a floater at Auburn.
Those other players stepping up might include Dontaie Allen after his spirited play against Mississippi State on Tuesday.
When asked about Allen, Calipari said, “I have more confidence in Dontaie shooting the ball than he does.”
Then the UK coach playfully added, “Now, he and I have about the same confidence in his defense.”
Calipari also said he was trying to find more minutes for freshman Bryce Hopkins.
This led to a question about Shaedon Sharpe, the highly regarded freshman who only joined the UK team this month. Calipari continued to downplay the possibility of Sharpe playing in the next game.
“I’d rather not right now only because I think he needs more time to elevate his intensity (and) his fight,” Calipari said. “All the stuff you need.”
Kentucky players acknowledged the challenge presented by Kansas, which has a 17-2 record overall. That includes 10-0 in Allen Fieldhouse.
“It’s going to be our third blue-blood (opponent),” said Sahvir Wheeler, who reminded listeners that UK had earlier played Duke and North Carolina. “This is why you come to Kentucky. To compete against the best.”
Brooks suggested that simply saying it’s a Kentucky-Kansas game conveys the message of a challenge.
“Just being Kansas themselves is going to be a challenge,” he said. “They always have a great team (and) always going be be coached very well.
“When you sit down and watch them, you notice the similarities between our two teams. Similar playing style to us.”
Calipari also noted the similarities. For instance, he said Kansas at times runs the dribble-drive offense, which is the UK coach’s signature offense.
So, what determines the winner in a game between two ranked teams who use similar tactics?
“We have to run our stuff better than they do their stuff,” Calipari said with a smile. “Because it’s very similar.”
Brooks echoed that sentiment. He suggested a mano-a-mano test.
“When you play against a team that plays like you, it’s going to come down to me against you,” he said. “Can I get stops guarding the ball man on man?
“If you can take on the challenge and get stops and be the aggressor and make plays, that team is going to be the winner.”
Saturday
No. 12 Kentucky at No. 5 Kansas
What: SEC/Big 12 Challenge
When: 6 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1
Records: UK 16-4 (6-2 SEC); Kansas 17-2 (6-1 Big 12)
Series: UK leads 23-10.
Last meeting: Kansas won 65-62 on Dec. 1, 2020, at the Champions Classic in Indianapolis.
