Could John Calipari’s three-year unbeaten streak at Rupp Arena be in jeopardy of coming to an end?
Former Tennessee coach and longtime Calipari feud opponent Bruce Pearl thinks so. Now a grocery chain administrator and an ESPN basketball analyst, Pearl tells Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger that he sees another talented Kentucky team, but one that might experience some growing pains.
“I just think it will be difficult to maintain that streak of not losing at home,” Pearl tells Vaught. “Young players can be more inconsistent. Will they guard and rebound every night? Will they make clutch free throws every night, something it seems like UK has always done under John? It will be by far his youngest team, and they have so many pieces that have to come together that they may well have an off night at home.”
Pearl also has a question about who will advise the younger Kentucky players how to deal with the head coach.
“John doesn’t have as much help coaching this team as he had a year ago. He doesn’t have Darius Miller, Terrence Jones or Doron Lamb, guys who could tell the freshmen last year not to pay attention to how John was saying things but what he was saying.”
Kentucky has not lost a home game in Calipari’s three years as coach.
Related links:
- Perception, reality doesn’t always jibe with Calipari, Pearl
- Follow John Clay on twitter
- Bruce Pearl’s house for sale
Sorry Bruce, but no way.
Cal has loaded the schedule with so many bums of the week they might not ever have to play the first five in some games.
WAIT! I forgot, STATS! We have to have those stats, not just wins but stats.
Watch how often the first five are still in the game with a thirty point lead with three minutes to go. A
The team only has 5 new players. Is it a must that the “veterans” be contributors? (Serious question.) If not, then Polson, Hood, Beckham, Long, Malone, Harrow & Wiltjer have all been through practices, games, speeches, etc. If the freshmen and Mays are willing to listen to the guys who don’t play – but have been there – they will get the lessons that BBQ Bruce is talking about in regards to listening.