After apologies, Kentucky basketball’s wings take flight at Ole Miss

OXFORD, MISS.

Kentucky Coach John Calipari said Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson apologized to him in the wake of Saturday’s loss at Tennessee. “They need to do well,” Calipari said after the pair contributed greatly to Tuesday night’s 80-seventy six victories at Mississippi. “One apologized to me for (pause), you already know, for something that became said.” That sounded like Herro, who drew Calipari’s ire during a primary-half of the timeout at Tennessee. “And the other apologized (and said), ‘I’ll play better,’” the UK coach said. That seemed like Johnson, who made nine shots at Tennessee.

“I said, ‘I’m now not concerned approximately you apologizing to your play,’” Calipari started. “‘It’s your attitude. Everybody’s was given to develop up.’ “And I said to them, ‘When you’re a toddler, you act like a child. When you’re a person, you leave all the ones child matters in the back of. Now, you’re either a person; otherwise, you’re a child.’ How do you respond to all these items?’” The roommates mixed to make 17 of 30 pictures and score 42 factors in opposition to Ole Miss.

Johnson, who led the UK with 22 points, denied that his seven-factor recreation at Tennessee served as motivation. “We just placed that recreation behind us,” he stated, “and didn’t truly consider it.” After telling newshounds of his baby-or-guy task, Calipari paid Johnson and Herro a compliment. He stated he reputable how gamers can characteristic and thrive within the stress cooker this is Kentucky basketball. “You also get the muddle that they’re listening to approximately ‘You’re the best player, you need to take the maximum pictures,’” the United Kingdom train stated. “All these things, and that they hear it. And they must cope with that. And they’re all 19 years old. … I advised them the day before today; I respect what these men cope with due to the fact I couldn’t have handled it as a 19-yr-vintage. No way.” Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis Jr. Got here away impressed with Johnson and Herro. “God, their energy for their age,” he said. “In individual, their durability was honestly marvelous to me. Their physicalness. And they’re each downhill gamers.”

REID’S RETURN

Calipari forged doubt on Reid Travis gambling towards Florida on Saturday. Travis has not played, considering that spraining his right knee at Missouri on Feb. 19. “I’m not going to assume him for Saturday,” Calipari started. “I’m merely now not. If he says ‘I think I can cross,’ and he practices a pair of days, maybe shove him in a little bit. Get his feet under him. See how he does. Perhaps no longer. “But I’m now not afraid no longer to play him. This approximately his fitness. The difficulty sometimes is you’re OK to go, but you’re simply uncomfortable, or you’re a little bit afraid.” Calipari expressed thanks that Travis most effectively sprained his knee instead of sustaining greater severe harm.

‘GETTING BETTER’

Immanuel Quickly contributed five points, assists, and no turnovers in 19 minutes. He also performed some factor-protected when Ashton Hagans picked up his 1/3 foul with 16: eleven left in the 2d 1/2. “He’s growing,” Calipari started. “He’s getting higher. His thoughts are slowing down. Early on, his thoughts just raced. He couldn’t sincerely gradual the mind down a good way to do the things he’s capable of doing.”

NCAA TEAM?

Ole Miss, which hadn’t overwhelmed a crew ranked inside the top seven in view that 2001-02, changed into trying to solidify an NCAA Tournament bid. “This is an NCAA Tournament group,” Calipari said. “And they could do damage.” Added Davis: “Do I think we’re an NCAA Tournament group? You bet,” he stated. “I suppose anyone in our league thinks we’re.”

LOOKING AHEAD

ESPN announced its plans for televising next week’s SEC Tournament. The SEC Network will televise the first and 2d rounds, plus the nighttime quarterfinal video games. ESPN will televise the afternoon quarterfinal video games, semifinals, and championship games. Tom Hart and Karl Ravech will name play-by-play for the primary, 2nd, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds. Analysts may be Jimmy Dykes, Andy Kennedy, and Jon Sundvold. Laura Rutledge may be the sideline reporter for maximum games.

STILL LOOKING AHEAD

SEC FanFare could be Thursday and Friday, 10 a.M. Through 7 p.M., and Saturday 10 a.M. Till 6 p.M. Next week in Nashville. FanFare could be throughout the road from Bridgestone Arena inside the Music City Walk of Fame Park. Admission is free. The event is a complete interactive enjoy proposing meals, drinks, and stay amusement, the SEC said.