Terrence Clarke (SEC Photo)
Freshman Terrence Clarke says playing No. 6 Kansas tonight is “just another game” for him and Kentucky even if the Cats are coming off a 12-point loss to Richmond Sunday.
“For us, we’re a great team, and as long as we take care of business, I feel like we can win any game that we go up against. Right now, I feel like there is a lot of emotions, a lot of people think that from the loss that we took that means we have a lot to fix,” Clarke said. “We’re just going to do as much as we can to fix the habits that we need to build on and try and get as many wins as we can.”
Kentucky certainly could redeem itself by beating Kansas. The Jayhawks lost 102-90 to No. 1 Gonzaga in their first game but beat Saint Joseph’s 94-72 in game two. Tonight they face UK in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis (no fans will be allowed at the game).
“I think everybody is kind of motivated to come back and bounce back from the loss that we took. After going over film, there’s a lot of things we would have changed,” Clarke said Monday.
“We hit on defense. I felt like we played a great defensive game against Richmond. We limited the back doors and layups that they usually take. Tough shots that they made. Coming back from it, we’re just going to bounce back, play as hard as we can and try to get a win tomorrow.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari says Kansas’ unique five-guard lineup the Jayhawks use at times can be a difficult matchup.
“They play their point guard as a five man. They put him inside. I mean, it’s amazing stuff,” Calipari said. “They’ve got some vets. They’ve got some tough (players). Their post player is physically tough and will fight. They’re downhill runners. They’ve got good 3-point shooters. Guys that are supposed to shoot 3s shoot 3s. And they’re in there knowing, I’m searching out 3s.”
Calipari said it was obvious in Sunday’s loss that UK players still had to learn that. However, he likes what Kansas is doing despite the loss to Gonzaga.
“I think they’re playing well. Two good teams, and Gonzaga may be the best team (in the country), and that was a touch-and-go game. They got down but they would come right back. They’re not afraid. They’re a veteran (team). They’ll fight. It’s going to be a hard game for us. We know it,” Calipari said.
Kentucky had trouble with Richmond point guard Jacob Gilyard disrupting its offense. He had five steals. Kansas point guard Marcus Garrett presents different challenges.
“More physical. One (Gilyard) is a tiny, quick, water bug, Tyler Ulis-ish. Garrett’s got some size and girt to him. He’ll physically come right at you. Terrific defender. One of the best defenders in the country,” Calipari said. “And so whoever he guards, you may be a creator because he’s going to lock down. He’s a good defender.”
Calipari said the Champions Classic helps prepare teams for neutral site games — even though most games this year will be like neutral site games with few or no fans. But it still could help if the NCAA Tournament is played in a bubble in Indianapolis.
However, Calipari is also trying to keep everything in the proper perspective.
“The great thing is we’re playing basketball. So, however this is, we’re playing basketball,” Calipari said.
