Five takeaways from Kentucky’s interview session with reporters on Monday:
u25aa Ashton Hagans’ freedom to go for steals (22 of them in the last five games) shows how UK Coach John Calipari makes coaching adjustments based on his players’ strengths and weaknesses. Calipari usually doesn’t put great value in steals, preferring his defenders not gamble, but instead steer drivers toward UK’s rim protectors. But Hagans is so good at disruptive defense, he gets the freedom to go for steals.
u25aa Calipari said Vanderbilt on Saturday and Georgia on Tuesday represent good preparation for the NCAA Tournament. Vandy played zone almost exclusively and did not try for offensive rebounds.