UK Basketball: Cal seeks more teamwork

John Calipari knows his team can’t continue to beat teams with just sheer talent.
The Kentucky coach indicated that his team must come together as a unit following its 75-65 victory over Kansas in the State Farm Champions Classic Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Wildcats committed 19 turnovers, with freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and point-guard Marquis Teague combining for 14 of those miscues.
Kentucky had 14 assists, with just three of those coming from Teague.
As the season progresses, Calipari will be expecting more teamwork from his squad, currently ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press college basketball poll.
“It’s not talent that wins,” Calipari said following the win over the Jayhawks. “Teams (that) win are teams that are playing together. Talented teams that play together become really good. We’re just not very good right now.”
Calipari added that his team’s biggest issue is lack of execution on offense.
“We’re right (on offense) about 20 percent of the time,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of young guys.”
Although the offense is a work in progress, Calipari likes his team’s desire through the first two games of the season.
“I like their will to win,” he said.

More playing time?

Calipari hinted on his website Wednesday that freshman Kyle Wiltjer could see more playing time in the future. The 6-foot-9 Wiltjer played just three minutes against the Jayhawks after scoring 14 points in the team’s season-opening victory over Marist last week at Rupp¿Arena.

Dominating Davis

Davis has scored in double figures in both games, but his post presence on defense has been a welcomed addition this season. To go along with his 13 dunks, Davis blocked a career-high seven shots in the team’s win over the Jayhawks earlier this week at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“It’s nice that we can block shots,” Calipari said.
In the win over Kansas, Kentucky altered 13 shots, with Terrence Jones and Kidd-Gilchrist collecting three blocks apiece.
Davis had 14 points, six rebounds, seven blocks and two steals in the win over Kansas.

Cats open new arena

Kentucky will open the Barclays Center next year when it takes on Maryland in the Barclays Center Classic. In addition, Morehead State and Long Island University will also compete in the doubleheader slated for Nov. 9 in Brooklyn.
“We’ve played in the Garden and now we’re going to be playing in Brooklyn,” Calipari said. “We appreciate the opportunity. We will bring 10, maybe 12,000 fans, maybe more. They’ll overrun the building.”