Notes from the Wildcats’ first practice under John Calipari

[LRCW]

Not even 36 hours after John Calipari was hired to become the 22nd head coach in program history, Calipari held his first practice Thursday night at the Joe Craft Center. Cat Scratches had an exclusive look at Kentucky’s first practice under Calipari. Here are some observations from the Wildcats’ first workout:

• Practice started at 8:30 p.m. and lasted about an hour and a half. Per NCAA regulations, teams are allowed two hours of drill instruction per week until April 15.
  

• The entire 2008-09 roster was there, including senior Jared Carter.
  

• The practice was extremely instructional. Calipari’s demeanor was pretty intense, but he doesn’t teach by yelling, calling out players, stomping his feet or any of that. He was very hands on and very talkative. Calipari would stop drills if he didn’t see what he liked, but he also didn’t hesitate to stop practice and single out a player if he was doing something right.
  

• Dribble, dribble, dribble. Calipari mentioned his love and philosophy for the Dribble Drive Motion Offense in his introductory news conference, and he wasted no time implementing it in his first practice. The first hour was dedicated solely to dribbling and driving the ball to the bucket. Calipari started the players off with different dribble-drive layup drills, and then increased the number of defenders as practice wore on until they finished with a three-on-two drill.
  

http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/040309aaa.html

[Clyde]

Why was Jared Carter there?

[LRCW]

Why was Jared Carter there?

 

 

Hoping Calipari will see his talent, and ask for a medical redshirt for Jared so he can come back one more year? :confused:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:laugh::laugh: I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

[MountainThunder]

I liked this comment:

 

Just an observation, but I believe Darius Miller is going to flourish in Calipari’s system. I thought he had a phenomenal first practice under Calipari, and the coach even praised him one time for his ability to drive the ball to the basket. Calipari told Miller he was going to “drive his brain out” playing for him.

 

And especially this one:

 

And finally, practice was extremely upbeat. The guys were constantly clapping, very attentive and looked like they were just having a good time.

[racer4life]

Why was Jared Carter there?

 

He is preparing for the NBA draft.

[Wireman]

Why was Jared Carter there?

 

Hey, the city league is tough.

[ekubum]

He is preparing for the NBA draft.

 

I bet he will be drafted as high as Randolph Morris. :idunno:

[Seebee54]

Who are Cal's assistant coaches?

[Rebel]

He is preparing for the NBA draft.

 

:notworthy: :lol:

[oldrambler]

Good stuff LRCW, thanks for posting. :thumb:

[thebigfella23]

Sounds good.

[Hip-Hop Box]

I love it... All the player Clapping having fun. Will be a totally different environment with Cal.

[halfback20]

Very cool.

[Hip-Hop Box]

Was Liggins there?

[inthesuite]

Pretty cool, and I do see Miller being a totally different player in this system too.