Associate Coach Kenny Payne substituted for John Calipari at a news conference previewing Kentucky’s game at South Carolina on Tuesday night. Given recent history, it would not have been surprising to learn Calipari was too busy studying relaxation techniques to speak to reporters.
In two of Kentucky’s last three games at South Carolina, referees ejected Calipari. UK expects more physical play from South Carolina in this season’s only meeting.
“They’re going to try to rough us up,” Payne said of the Gamecocks.
Wenyen Gabriel echoed the sentiment. “They definitely swarm the paint . . . ,” he said.