Devin Askew had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists Saturday but didn't want to talk to the media after UK's loss. (CBS Sports Classic Photo)
Keion Brooks Jr. has yet to play this season and certainly was not the reason Kentucky lost for the fifth straight time Saturday. Yet after the 75-63 loss to North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic, there was the sophomore doing the postgame press conference.
Why was he out there?
“Because I’m one of the leaders on the team. My teammates did not feel up to it, didn’t want to do it,” Brooks said. “I am not going to put them out here in vulnerable situations where emotions are high. You never know what might go on. I am out here to defend my teammates.”
Emotions should be high because Kentucky is losing and not playing well. Poor shooting, turnovers, not enough fight … take your pick of reasons why the Cats are 1-5 now after starting the season ranked in the top 10 and considered a potential Final Four team.
John Calipari said he was “kind of proud” of Brooks for volunteering to “step up and face the music” when he didn’t even play in the loss.
“You are talking about guys going through stuff that is really, really hard for them to take responsibility for, to own their performance … there is a lot of stuff,” the UK coach said.
Brooks said he was doing everything he could to help players keep believing in themselves despite the loss.
“It is a long season. We have got to continue to believe in the coaching staff and one another,” the UK sophomore said. “Five straight losses sucks but the way we are playing right now we don’t deserve to win.”
Blunt but honest.
