LEXINGTON — Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague are putting in extra work during the preseason.
“We always get to practice an hour early and we’re always the last to leave the gym,” Lamb said. “We’re just working hard. We’re trying to win the whole thing this year.”
Lamb has taken Teague under his wing and is showing the freshman point guard what it takes to be successful. Both players spend time together on and off the court.
“I hang out with Doron a lot,” Teague said. “He showed me the ropes when I first got here as far as the dribble drive and working out with me. I spend a lot of time with him.”
Aside from their friendship, Lamb also has been telling Teague what to expect from Kentucky coach John Calipari.
“I just always tell him how coach (Calipari) will get on you, and how he’s always wanting to push the ball (up the court),” Lamb said.
Teague will make his unofficial debut tonight in the Blue-White game set for 7 p.m. at Rupp¿Arena.
Teague can learn from Lamb, who made considerable contributions as a freshman last season and played in all 38 games. Lamb started 14 games and averaged 12.3 points per game. Lamb’s most memorable outing was a 32-point outburst in a win over Winthrop on Dec. 22 at Rupp¿Arena. Teague said Lamb took his game to another level during the off-season.
“He has improved a lot,” Teague said. “He’s gotten a lot stronger, his shot is better and he can’t miss.”
Lamb plans to add the leadership role to his resume this season and become more vocal, especially to newcomers such as Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Teague.
“Coach Cal told me I have to become more of a leader, because I’ve been there,” he said. “Last year, we went to the Final Four. so I know what it is to play college basketball. I’ve told the freshmen how the games are, how the fans are and how to opponents play against us. They can’t wait (to start the season) and I can’t wait. I think I can be more vocal on this team. We have enough guards and a lot of freshmen. I will help them during practice and tell them what to do.¿We have enough experience to tell the freshmen what to do and not to do.”
Lamb said Teague got a taste of playing for Wildcats when fans camped out for tickets to Big Blue Madness earlier this month and added that the players got a real close of view of the fans’ expectations during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena. So far, Lamb has been impressed with Teague.
“He’s real tough,” Lamb said. “He’s not afraid of nobody and I like that.”
Lamb added that he’s not sure what to expect in the first half of the season. Last year’s squad struggled during the first two months before picking up the pace down the stretch that resulted in the team’s first Final Four appearance since 1998.
“Everybody is working really hard, making shots and everybody is playing great,” said Lamb.
Lamb isn’t feeling like an “old man,” but ready to lead Kentucky back to the proverbial promised land.
“I’m just one year older,” he said with a smile. “I always tell (the newcomers) like it is.”
“We always get to practice an hour early and we’re always the last to leave the gym,” Lamb said. “We’re just working hard. We’re trying to win the whole thing this year.”
Lamb has taken Teague under his wing and is showing the freshman point guard what it takes to be successful. Both players spend time together on and off the court.
“I hang out with Doron a lot,” Teague said. “He showed me the ropes when I first got here as far as the dribble drive and working out with me. I spend a lot of time with him.”
Aside from their friendship, Lamb also has been telling Teague what to expect from Kentucky coach John Calipari.
“I just always tell him how coach (Calipari) will get on you, and how he’s always wanting to push the ball (up the court),” Lamb said.
Teague will make his unofficial debut tonight in the Blue-White game set for 7 p.m. at Rupp¿Arena.
Teague can learn from Lamb, who made considerable contributions as a freshman last season and played in all 38 games. Lamb started 14 games and averaged 12.3 points per game. Lamb’s most memorable outing was a 32-point outburst in a win over Winthrop on Dec. 22 at Rupp¿Arena. Teague said Lamb took his game to another level during the off-season.
“He has improved a lot,” Teague said. “He’s gotten a lot stronger, his shot is better and he can’t miss.”
Lamb plans to add the leadership role to his resume this season and become more vocal, especially to newcomers such as Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Teague.
“Coach Cal told me I have to become more of a leader, because I’ve been there,” he said. “Last year, we went to the Final Four. so I know what it is to play college basketball. I’ve told the freshmen how the games are, how the fans are and how to opponents play against us. They can’t wait (to start the season) and I can’t wait. I think I can be more vocal on this team. We have enough guards and a lot of freshmen. I will help them during practice and tell them what to do.¿We have enough experience to tell the freshmen what to do and not to do.”
Lamb said Teague got a taste of playing for Wildcats when fans camped out for tickets to Big Blue Madness earlier this month and added that the players got a real close of view of the fans’ expectations during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena. So far, Lamb has been impressed with Teague.
“He’s real tough,” Lamb said. “He’s not afraid of nobody and I like that.”
Lamb added that he’s not sure what to expect in the first half of the season. Last year’s squad struggled during the first two months before picking up the pace down the stretch that resulted in the team’s first Final Four appearance since 1998.
“Everybody is working really hard, making shots and everybody is playing great,” said Lamb.
Lamb isn’t feeling like an “old man,” but ready to lead Kentucky back to the proverbial promised land.
“I’m just one year older,” he said with a smile. “I always tell (the newcomers) like it is.”
