John Calipari made a significant change to the Kentucky Wildcats starting lineup in recent weeks when he replaced Sahvir Wheeler for Cason Wallace.

Calipari spoke about Wheeler’s contributions at Vanderbilt in a win on Tuesday, and how the coaching staff and teammates love Wheeler.

“How his coach is both feet in until the wheels fall off for him,” Calipari said. “Now, you may have to come off the bench, but so what. Doesn’t mean I don’t love you, I’m not for you, I won’t be there for the rest of your life as long as I’m living. But someone’s playing better, so they’ve got to be in. That’s team. Then you accept it and say I’m ready. It’s my role, I’m going to do this.”

Wheeler added that at Kentucky, he has to learn to play with great players and be mature about it and grow from it.

“Those guys deserve to play as much as anybody else,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler played 23 minutes Tuesday night, and added 4 points and 5 assists.