John Calipari urges patience in message to fans: "We're not where we need to be right now"

On3 imageby:Tyler Thompson11/01/22

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Kentucky’s 56-38 exhibition win over Missouri Western State on Sunday wasn’t exactly the type of game you write home about, but the Cats were without Oscar Tshiebwe the entire game and Sahvir Wheeler for parts after he reaggravated a knee injury. Two days ahead of Kentucky’s next exhibition vs. Kentucky State, John Calipari took to Twitter to urge fans to be patient with this squad, which is “not where we need to be right now.”

“As I get ready for practice, BBN, I said, let me talk about this team a little bit and be direct to you. I like the pieces. We’ve got the player of the year, we’ve got another first-team all-conference [player], we’ve got good young guys, but let me explain to you — and you know I’m honest about stuff — we’re not where we need to be right now. And I’m looking at November and December saying, we could be a little shaky.

“And what we’re building to and what we’re doing every day, these guys are giving everything. I love the pieces. I love the teammates but what we have to do to win at the highest level is going to take us a little time.

“I’m saying this for me as well as you to say every day, man, get better. Every day you step on the gas, to look at this and say where can we take this? The big picture of this is January, February, we’ve got to be at our best. Hopefully the injury bug hit us early this year instead of what it did last year, it hit us late. Let’s hope that we move on. Can’t wait to get the entire group together and then start working together to grow this thing.

“Good group. Let’s have some fun. Let me coach. Let me cheer these guys on, hold them accountable, and let our fans enjoy the ride because that’s what this is.”

In November and December, Kentucky faces Michigan State (11/15), No. 2 Gonzaga (11/20), No. 22 Michigan (12/4), No. 8 UCLA (12/17), and Louisville (12/31).

Calipari says Sahvir Wheeler’s injury is “short-term”

In the video, Calipari acknowledges the “injury bug” Kentucky is dealing with. As mentioned, Oscar and Wheeler are on the mend. Oscar told reporters at Media Day that he doesn’t expect to miss any regular-season games as he recovers from a minor knee procedure, although Calipari did not confirm that timeline. Yesterday, Calipari told Alan Cutler that Wheeler’s knee injury is considered “short-term” and he should be fine. Jacob Toppin and Lance Ware dealt with injuries during the preseason, but both played in the win over Missouri Western State on Sunday.

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2024-03-27