All that was missing (for the most part) is what’s always missing from these affairs – defense and hard knocks. Proceeds from the John Calipari Coaches’ Clinic will be used to fund the scholarships. Junior forward Marcus Lee provides rebounding and shot-blocking, while sophomore guard Tyler Ulis (5.6 points per game, 43 percent 3-pointer) takes over the point after being Andrew Harrison’s backup last season.
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Tyler Ulis has been asked to take on several roles this year by head coach John Calipari. “Fight doesn’t mean punch and swing and grab”.
While the Hall of Fame coach acknowledges that they aren’t ready for a title fight at the moment, his Kentucky roster appears to have filled the voids left by seven players who began their National Basketball Association careers this week. “Sometimes you’ll be so open, like, ‘Dang, I didn’t know you got me that open.’ He’s fun to play with”. If there’s a 50-50 ball, you get that ball. You’re diving on the floor, making an extra effort.
“We’re not doing any of that right now”. “I’m not one of those people that tackle people in the post”, he said. Never have; never will. Especially when the nature of these affairs demands that so many players play so many minutes. The 6-9 Mt. Washington, Ky., native finished with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
First, back to Ulis, who may be the best guard in the country before this season is done. “They all see things that we don’t and their minds are all going at the same time”.
“It’s something I have to learn to know how to do”. “With a few players it looks good”. He finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, showing that he is poised to have a strong upcoming season. Poythress also displayed his range, going 3 for 4 from 3-point land.
“He’s still not there yet”, Calipari said of Poythress.
“I just want them get out in front of people”, Calipari said. All the other stuff will come in time, but focus on one thing: Let’s get that down and build your confidence in yourself and in your body and through that you can do that.
“You saw him block that shot”, Calipari said. “That’s why in the second half the scoring went (down) where it was because we were throwing it to him every time”.
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The starters on the blue team were Alex Poythress, Isaiah Briscoe, Jamal Murray, Isaac Humphries and Derek Willis. “Try to do everything on my team”, Labissiere said. Poythress said his explosiveness comes and goes, but added, “it’s coming and every day I’m just getting better with it”. It’s a different level here, so I’m still trying to learn how to get used to it. Trying to learn how to play through contact, catching every ball.
