John Calipari started his head coaching career with the UMass Minutemen. At least at this early stage of the 2017-18 season, he’s coaching the Kentucky Minutemen.
After UK beat Thomas More 103-61 in an exhibition opener Friday night, Calipari repeatedly cited minutes played as an indicator of how his UK team must improve its level of conditioning.
“Right now, I think we could play about an 18-minute game . . . ,” Calipari said afterward. “I think if it’s 40 (minutes), we’re going to struggle for a while.”
When a reporter suggested that freshman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared ready to play with energy the entire game, Calipari quipped, “Yeah, he’s on the IV in the back right now.