John Calipari wants to see his team huddle and talk a lot more during games. (SEC Photo)
Late in Tuesday’s loss against Arkansas, Kentucky did something that seems so simple but yet has been missing way too often this year. Freshman point guard Devin Askew helped make sure the Cats huddled during a dead ball situation. Not only that, Askew was talking to all his teammates. He was animated and in the ear of every teammate.
Calipari liked it…a lot.
“We’ve been talking about that. We’ve been talking about it. You guys don’t even huddle. You’re so disappointed in how you are playing, you can’t even huddle and talk at each other,” Calipari said.
“Again, we’ve got inexperienced guys who have only played for themselves. I’ve had it before but I’ve had the summer and the fall. And they figure out at some point in the year, we need each other, so I’ve got to stop this, or you’re not going to play. I’m not going to put you in the game. And so now they are starting to huddle. They are starting to talk.”
Freshman teammate Brandon Boston was one of those Askew was instructing, challenging, criticizing or something. Whatever he said, it could have only helped.
Boston said the team “definitely” needs more of that.
“He was just getting us fired up, telling us we have to finish this game out. Just be ready to shoot and be ready to defend,” Boston said. “Definitely need those encouraging words down the stretch.”
Calipari can only hope going into Saturday afternoon’s game with Auburn some of that chemistry will carry over and help UK snap a four-game losing streak.
“There were points in the game (against Arkansas), one or two or three plays, bang, that changed the complexion of the game and we’ve still got to get it under control,” Calipari said.
