Kentucky-Tennessee notes: Calipari seeking more ‘easy baskets’ in the post

Neither Kentucky nor Tennessee is likely to go postal in Rupp Arena on Thursday night. Neither team has established an offensive post presence this season.

At a news conference Wednesday, UK Coach John Calipari floated the idea of again trying freshman Skal Labissiere in the low post.

“I’d like to see us throw the ball to the post a little bit more,” he said. “See if any of these guys can give us anything down in there.

“Maybe throw it to Isaac (Humphries). Maybe throw it to Skal.”

A few weeks ago, Calipari proclaimed Alex Poythress as Kentucky’s post player. Poythress has missed the last three games after injuring a knee. Calipari expressed doubt that Poythress would play in UK’s two games this week.

UK’s lack of a post scorer showed itself in the loss at Tennessee on Feb. 18. The Cats could not stem Tennessee’s momentum with inside baskets. The Vols rallied from 21 points down to win.

“As we move along in the season, it’d be nice to get a couple of easy baskets by throwing it in there,” Calipari said.

Meanwhile, Tennessee Coach Rick Barnes has not found a dependable low-post player.

“We don’t really have a post game that we can throw the ball to and stop the bleeding when we’re not shooting the ball well,” he said earlier this season.

Comeback

Isaiah Briscoe downplayed the notion of taking special vengeance on the Vols.

“Oh, I think we let one get away from us,” he said. “Give credit to Tennessee. They played a great game at home, and we’ll get our chance.”

Barnes pointed out a benefit in falling behind by 21 points.

“Now you’re playing with house money,” he said. “There’s no pressure. You just let it go. You wish players, coaches (understood). That’s how you ought to play the game anyway.”

Road woes

Tennessee has a 1-11 record away from home this season. The Vols’ only victory outside of Knoxville was at Mississippi State.

“It comes down to toughness,” Barnes said of the road woes. “If you’re going to be a good road team, I’ve always said, it’s defense. Being aggressive. Being in that attack mode.”

Barnes then listed another avenue to a road victory.

“On the road, we can’t rely on one or two guys. You’ve got to have a group effort from your entire team,” the coach said. “We haven’t gotten that but one time: At Mississippi State. I thought everybody in that game was locked in and engaged.”

Of course, Kentucky almost never loses in Rupp Arena. UK is 14-0 at home this season, and a Globetrotter-esque 116-4 in Calipari’s seven seasons as coach.

“Our guys know that,” Barnes said. “The fact is, as a coach, you know what? It’s about getting your guys to execute extremely well.

“The teams that win consistently are the ones that are mentally tough enough and competitive enough to fight through the low spots during a game. You’re not going to go into Rupp or anywhere and win if you don’t have a competitive spirit about you.”

Zone defense?

Calipari credited a switch to a zone as a factor in Kentucky’s victory at South Carolina.

“It slowed them down,” he said.

Although UK works on zone defense “every day,” Calipari said, he remains averse to abandoning man-to-man. He made it seem he had a phobia about zone defenses.

“When they play zone, we cannot make a shot,” he said. “And when we go zone, they make every shot.”

Pivotal moment?

Briscoe cited the overtime loss at Kansas as a possible turning point for Kentucky. Not necessarily the loss at Tennessee three nights later.

“After that, we just came together,” he said, “(and thought) maybe we are a top-five team, regardless of what the rankings say.”

Overshadowed?

Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray have been showered with media attention. Calipari likened the pair to the John Wall-Eric Bledsoe tandem.

Briscoe said he does not feel overshadowed.

“I don’t look at it like that,” he said. “I think I contribute in every way on the court. I get to score. I get to rebound. Play defense. I get to do everything.

“Tyler and Jamal have been shooting lights out . . . and my assists are going up. I’m not mad at that. I enjoy seeing my teammates shine. I think they deserve it.”

Etc.

Joe Tessitore, Sean Farnham and sideline reporter Seth Greenberg will call the game for ESPN.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 8:02 PM with the headline "Kentucky-Tennessee notes: Calipari seeking more ‘easy baskets’ in the post."