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Kentucky players brush off current No. 1 ranking, focused on ending the year at the top

After Kentucky’s season-opening victory over Michigan State in the Champions Classic, John Calipari was interested to see how his players would respond at home against Eastern Kentucky.

Would there be a hangover? Would they play down to the competition? Would they take the Colonels lightly after taking down the top-ranked Spartans?

The Kentucky head coach simply wasn’t sure.

“I don’t know [how they will respond],” Calipari said. “I have no idea. When you’re coaching young guys, you don’t know.”

The Wildcats followed it up with a 42-point blowout, holding Eastern Kentucky to just 25% shooting and forcing 21 turnovers.