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LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) — Kentucky has always been the team to beat in the Southeastern Conference, but that trend has changed in recent years, and coach John Calipari isn’t concerned about that.
“I’ve said this over and over again for 30 years: Basketball coaches win games and operations win championships because they’re invested in it,” the Kentucky coach said. “Think about what’s happened in this league. Mike Thrive got us this TV deal and we got to choose where we put that money. We put it into one sport. When you look at it, you can say basketball needed that.”
Most of the conference’s programs have invested in basketball, and schools like Tennessee in particular are starting to see results.
Kentucky (12-2, 2-0 SEC) is one of three teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Volunteers are fifth, the Wildcats are sixth, and Auburn is 16th.
“A lot of schools said we’re investing in basketball and baseball, and we’re doing that and we’re going to upgrade our football content,” he said. “Now, all of a sudden, they have an incredible facility, they have access to some of the top coaches in the country, they have the ability to do recruiting.”
He added that coaches in the conference now have the tools to recruit on a larger scale than in the past.
“All members of our league travel on private planes,” he said. “To recruit… let’s say you’re thinking about flying on a commercial airline within the year, and you do this job and do some recruiting, then stay overnight, and then come back on a 5 o’clock flight. You’re 30 years old. It’s better.”
heart and soul
Missouri coach Dennis Gates praised the Wildcats after his team lost 90-77 to Kentucky on Tuesday night. Last season, the Tigers suffered an 89-75 loss to Kentucky in Columbia, but Gates noticed a different look from this year’s team.
He called Rob Dillingham “the most isolated player in college basketball” and added that Justin Edwards’ “best basketball is right in front of him.”
Gates moved up and down the roster in his praise, citing the leadership of senior Antonio Reeves.
“If you look at his mental intelligence, nine field goal attempts, he was probably rooting for Rob (Dillingham) louder than anyone else,” Gates said. “Oscar Tshibwe is a dominant player when you have connectivity and can play a style that opens the court a little bit, but you also need the ability to occupy space in the middle. Now, five out, make a jump shot We have (Aaron) Bradshaw who is capable, but they have versatility. They take care of the basketball and are three-point threats.”
Reaves is one of five Kentucky players averaging double digits this season. He leads the team in scoring (18.6 points per game) and is shooting a team-best 36-for-36 from 3-point range this season.
Dillingham is second on the team (14.4 ppg), followed by Tre Mitchell (13.2 ppg), DJ Wagner (12.4 ppg) and Reid Shepard (11.9 ppg).
the best of the best
Calipari praised Alabama football coach Nick Saban, who retired after 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide on Wednesday. Saban, 72, won seven national titles, including six, at the University of Alabama and posted a 297-71-1 record in the school rankings.
Calipari spoke to Saban by phone Wednesday night after the former Alabama coach announced his plans to retire from coaching.
“He might be one of the best, or the best, at what we do,” Calipari said. “He was in a situation where winning wasn’t necessarily enough, but he handled it with grace. I admire his focus, but more importantly, he helped lead the team to win a championship.” It’s a way to focus on one goal. It’s a great run by the greatest player of all time! Congratulations, Coach Saban.”
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