Kentucky basketball notes: Lamb earns his reward

Making Kentucky's starting lineup and acquiring prime real estate have a lot in common. A key factor can be location, location, location.

Because UK is going to New York City next week, Coach John Calipari said Thursday he probably would start Doron Lamb rather than Darius Miller.

Lamb is from Queens.

"Probably, unless something crazy happens," Calipari said. "Doron going back to New York, in all likelihood, I'll start him. I do that with anybody who goes home."

Calipari noted that Lamb has been following Josh Harrellson's example of last season and putting in extra work.

"But you can't do it one week and say, 'OK, I did it. Where's my reward?' " the UK coach said.

Lamb made 52.2 percent of his shots and averaged 15.5 points in Kentucky's two exhibition games. Miller made 66.7 percent of his shots and averaged 10.5 points.

Each had seven assists, but Miller was the more prolific rebounder: 12-5.

60-70-80

Despite an 85-point victory over Morehouse on Monday, Calipari stuck to his stance that many teams could beat UK.

"I still stand by, there's 60, 70, 80 teams that could beat us," he said before adding a new qualifier. "I'll say this: The way we played against Morehouse, it'd be hard for them."

In reviewing the victory over Morehouse, Calipari found much to like. Fast start. "Terrific" defense. Run wide in transition to offense. Productive bench play. Maybe most pleasing: sustained effort and diligence despite a cartoonish lead.

"It's hard being up 60 to continue to play," the UK coach said.

But Calipari found nits to pick. Fish must swim. Birds must fly. Coaches must find room for improvement. For instance, some rebounds were not pursued aggressively.

"He's got to find something," Marquis Teague said.

Teammate Anthony Davis noticed a different Calipari reviewing the Morehouse and Transylvania exhibitions.

"He was in a lot happier mood," Davis said.

Toughness

Toughness remains on Calipari's mind. He conceded that this team might be more diligent than his first UK team. DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall might "stop playing" on occasion.

However, that UK team of 2009-10 had a physical side and toughness.

"Can Terrence (Jones) and Anthony give us that toughness that those other players gave?" Calipari asked.

Poole on hold

Calipari said he hoped to meet with sophomore Stacey Poole in the next few days to discuss the player's basketball future.

Poole has been thinking of transferring, his father said.

Calipari said he would be disappointed if Poole departed, but he would support a decision to stay or leave.

Cancer awareness

UK managers are growing beards this month as a means to create awareness about prostate cancer, manager Will Martin said.

Checks can be made to: Markey Cancer Foundation, 800 Rose Street, CC160, Lexington, Ky. 40536-0093 or by visiting the Markey Cancer Foundation Web site: www.markeycancerfoundation.org.

Though supportive, Calipari said he would not grow his beard.

"It's gray, and I really look old," he said before volunteering, "No, I don't paint my (black) hair. It's what it is."

Oy vey

When noting the players' day off this week, Calipari said, "When they have a day off, they don't come kibitz in my office."

Kibitz?

"I was at a Jewish funeral (Wednesday)," Calipari said.

UK-UNC sold out

Tickets for the Kentucky-North Carolina game on Dec. 3 have sold out during the student distribution, UK announced Thursday.

Etc.

■ Teague must be a perfectionist. When asked about his 16 assists and four turnovers in exhibition play, he said, "I'd like to have no turnovers."

■ Calipari said he will comment on all new signees when the fall signing period ends next week.

■ Since 2002, UK has lost one season opener: the 111-103 loss to VMI to start the 2008-09 season.

■ Dave Baker, Kyle Macy and sideline reporter Rob Bromley will call the game.

This story was originally published November 11, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Kentucky basketball notes: Lamb earns his reward."