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Why John Calipari is redefining the assist statistic for UK basketball

John Calipari sends message to Marshall County Jon Hale/Courier Journal

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sorry about your luck, PJ Washington.

John Calipari’s new directive to his players is pass, pass and pass some more. He is changing the assist rule to credit players for creating shots for teammates regardless of whether the basket is converted.

Emphasizing passing means deemphasizing scoring.

“When guys are doing great passing, you're hugging them, you're telling them,” Calipari said after a 78-65 win over Mississippi State. “And when a guy gets 22, you don't even mention it.