John Calipari says Kentucky is 'built for March' amid shaky stretch of games
John Calipari asked for patience during his weekly radio show on Monday night. The Kentucky head coach believes brighter days are ahead.
Kentucky lost to Gonzaga on Saturday, 89-85. The loss was the Wildcats’ third consecutive defeat at Rupp Arena — something the hallowed venue had never seen. Kentucky hadn’t lost three straight games at home since the 1966-67 season, before Rupp Arena was built. It was also Kentucky’s fourth loss in its last six games.
Calipari said after the game Kentucky lost it in the first half. With a golden opportunity in front of it, Kentucky came out flat and trailed by 10 points at the halftime break. And it came on the heels of a 103-92 loss to Tennessee the last time the ‘Cats played in front of their home fans.
“We’re built for March,” Calipari said Monday night.
Calipari said Kentucky, which currently sits 241st nationally in defensive rating, needs to get “10% better” on that end of the floor. The Wildcats are giving up 105.2 points per 100 possessions this season. They’ve given up at least 80 points in regulation eight times this season. Two other games that went to overtime saw UK opponents crack 80 before regulation ended.
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Calipari said the Wildcats have a zone they can call on, but he doesn’t want to compromise the team’s rebounding ability. Even that area has been a struggle, however. He said the team needs to be more physical. He said the Wildcats need to start winning more 50/50s on the floor.
“I believe in the team,” Calipari said. “We’re going to break through. We’re built for postseason. We are. You may say, ‘Well, why does he say that?’ Because, if you can score 75 or 80 (points) in an NCAA (Tournament) game, and let’s defend a little better, let’s get a little more physical, let’s do it, you can advance.
“It’s hard to advance if you’re scoring 60, 65. … We have guys that can make baskets, that, we’re not running (plays), they can just go get a basket.”
And that belief isn’t necessarily misplaced. Kentucky has the other side of the floor figured out. The Wildcats are fifth nationally in offensive rating, scoring 119.5 points per 100 possessions. They lead all Division I schools in 3-point shooting, connecting on 41% of their looks from range.
Antonio Reeves is scoring 19.6 a game. Four other Kentucky players are scoring in double-figures. Short of a complete and unexpected bottoming out, Kentucky is likely dancing when the NCAA Tournament comes around. The Wildcats are a 6-seed in Joe Lunardi’s most recent projections. They should get a chance to play tournament basketball.
But Calipari also led Kentucky past the second round of the tournament since the 2018-19 season. If his Cats slide into the postseason, few will hold the same belief as Kentucky’s leading man.
Kentucky hosts Ole Miss on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN). Calipari’s ‘Cats have an opportunity to stop the bleeding and get the momentum back inside Rupp Arena.