Calipari MVP

I have heard a lot of people saying "Calipari is a great recruiter, but is terrible at the X's and O's of the game". I have always disagreed with this statement, and usually it's people that know nothing about basketball who makes this comment. The coach can't MAKE the
players run the plays he draws up, and he especially can not make the ball go through the basket. But it never fails the coach will ALWAYS get the blame for a loss despite doing everything he can to get the team to respond. It's not just at Kentucky, this happens with every fan base in the country.


Sunday, Calipari had probably one of his best coaching jobs of the year. The team was awful in the first half, no rebounding, blown defensive assignments (except Liggins) and just wasn't playing with any heart what so ever. But this all changed after halftime, Calipari finally got through to his team, and they came out and looked like a totally different team. They came out with a fire that we haven't seen from this team all year, they were aggressive on defense, they were rebounding the ball with a purpose, and they started playing like the team we thought we would have seen more often this year. This was the first game that Kentucky improved from the first half, only the second time they have won on the road in SEC play, and finally they won a close game on the road.


The best adjustment Cal made after the half, was mixing in a 2/3 zone that this team rarely runs. When they switched the defense, Tenneesse was confused and started rushing their shots. That was the boost this team needed, and it showed in their play. They started making shots and their over all attitude changed from the rest of the season. In past games this team has played scared or trying not to lose. Sunday, this team played to win, they had the attitude of "we're gonna win, and no one is going to stop us." We haven't seen that type of attitude since last season. It was good to see this team play to their potential and talent level, and that is thanks to the adjustments Calipari made at the half.


Calipari done a great job keeping his players motivated in the second half, he was animated on the sidelines and giving praise when one of the guys done something good. I don't know what was said by Calipari at halftime, but whatever it was worked. And his play calling in the second half was great, without changing the defense up we don't win the game.


So when people say Cal isn't a bench coach, go back and watch this game and look at the difference in the first and second half. The team played great, but Cal brought it out of them.