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Kentucky coach John Calipari agrees with Kentucky fans about “this is going to be a big summer for us” after UK’s 9-16 season that kept a preseason Top 10 team from even making the NCAA Tournament field.
“Again, what will the team look like,” Calipari said on his weekly radio show Monday. “How many new guys will we be blending in with guys coming back?”
He does know one change he definitely will make — players will be playing more pickup games and doing fewer set workout programs on the court.
“You need to play basketball. You get more out of pickup games and learn about each other,” the UK coach said. “It’s all part of being empowered as a team and knowing each other but you have got to do it by playing.”
Tom Leach asked Calipari if his team would shoot more 3-pointers or at least have more players who can make 3-pointers.
“Have to see where you are as a team when it is together,” the UK coach said. “If a team is playing with no center and three or four guards that is how you are going to play. You don’t have a choice.
“If I do have a big guy can he shoot 3’s and space the court. Where I see the game going is position-less basketball where the point guard may be 6-10. Guards can post up.”
The UK coach says the game is going to be more about skills — passing, shooting — than just length and athleticism.
“Just five or seven years ago it was all about athleticism and length. If you could not shoot great, it was okay. But now you need to have great skills.”
