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[B][U][FONT=Arial]The Experience[/FONT][/U][/B]
[FONT=Arial]What would you do if you had the opportunity to meet all of the current Kentucky men’s basketball players, take a picture with Coach Calipari, participate in drills with the players and be the very first group to watch this Kentucky team practice? You would sign up for Coach Calipari’s women’s clinic. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I had the luxury this past Sunday to attend this women’s clinic with my Mom and sister. The day began with a line that wrapped around the Joe Craft Center. Each participant had received an email stating to arrive around 2pm to sign in and tour the practice facility as well as Wildcat Lodge. We promptly arrived at that time to a large line of ladies waiting for the doors to open. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]The line moved rather quickly and while waiting to go inside we saw several players, most of which looked as though they just rolled out of bed, head out of the lodge and into the Joe Craft Center. Eloy Vargas came out looking like he just got done churning some butter with the beard he is growing. Doron Lamb walked by, pleasing several gals who yelled flirtatious comments towards him. The excitement was already in the air. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Once we entered we were given a t’shirt and lunch from Rafferty’s. Once my fam and I ate lunch, it was time to explore. Now I must preface this with telling you that I have attended one other women’s clinic at the University of Kentucky. In Billy Gillispie’s very first year, my sister and I attended and had the luxury of meeting Mr. Bill Keightly, Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks. That year we were taken around in groups to tour all of the facilities and at the end of the day, the players were free for autographs. This was the only clinic I could compare this to so I was a little unsure of how the day would unfold. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]As my Mom, sister and I entered Memorial Coliseum; first thing we saw was Coach Cal signing autographs with about 150 ladies waiting in line to meet him. My Mom was so giddy, she wanted to hop right in line but I recommended we go take our tours and find the other players. So on we went to the Joe Craft Center.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Entering the Craft Center from Memorial was hard to get through as there were women EVERYWHERE! We saw players galore and like a kid at Christmas, didn’t know who to meet first. We met Ryan Harrow and he was as sweet as can be (and wearing pink shoes), then took a picture with Kyle Wiltjer. I asked Wiltjer if he felt overwhelmed and he stated, “not at all.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]I eyed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who has the prettiest smile on the team. He signed my Mom’s lamp shade (yes she brought a lamp shade to be signed) and was very gracious to each and every lady he met. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]We then fought the crowd and headed into the training room where Doron Lamb, Marquis Teague, Brian Long, Stacey Pool, Terrence Jones and Anthony Davis were all stationed. That room was a mad house! I have to say those that stuck out when I met them were Marquis Teague who was very shy and reserved but very sweet and Stacey Poole who was obviously enjoying all of the love from the ladies. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]After rounding up autographs and pictures with as many players as we could find, we made our way back to Memorial for the actual “start” of the clinic. My Mom noticed Calipari’s line had dwindled to about half the size as it was earlier, so they made a dash to get in line. 10 minutes later, Coach was signing the lamp shade and we got our picture with the czar of Kentucky basketball. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Quickly followed by a photo op with Cougartown’s Josh Hopkins, who had no line what so ever.[/FONT]
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[B][U][FONT=Arial]We talkin’ ‘bout practice[/FONT][/U][/B]
[FONT=Arial]All of the ladies were split into three groups and sent to different locations. We were in the green group and setup shop in the Kentucky Hoop’s practice gym. Coach Antigua led our first session teaching us what they call “Perfection.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]“Perfection” is a series of drills that they use to kick off every practice. The entire goal for the team is to not make a mistake. First the guys race down court hoping to get to the basket as soon as possible in as little as 3 or 4 dribbles. They end with a layup and a rebound with two hands, and then repeat. I have to say some of the players that stood out during this drill at the actual practice were Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Coach Antigua invited several volunteers up to run the drills with the players, where some of the ladies stood out. You had Geraldine who came prepared in her basketball shorts and t’shirt, ran full speed and made almost all of her layups. You had another lady out there in fringed suede boots, her hair did, running delicately up and down the court. It was great to see the players and coaches interact with the women all the while learning how our Cats prepare for the season.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]The next group that came in was with Coach Robic, who has to have the best sense of humor on the coaching staff. His group of Darius Miller, Kyle Wiltjer, Doron Lamb and Brian Long showed off a few shooting drills. Robic definitely enjoyed interacting with the lady volunteers calling them out if they didn’t jog to their spot, if they got confused he joked around they had to run sprints and even asked one woman if Rafferty’s was serving wine because she was so lost! I was lucky enough to run through one of the drills with Coach Robic and his group, what a dream come true! [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]The last group that came in was Coach Kenny Payne with Terrence Jones, Anthony Davis, Stacey Poole, Marquis Teague and Twany Beckham. Coach Payne spent less than half of the allotted 20 minutes on a drill and the rest was a Q & A session with the players. During this time Stacey Poole probably provided the most well-rounded answers but Terrence Jones was definitely the most comedic, stating when he plays Louisville he just pictures all of their faces as Coach Kenny Payne![/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]I decided to ask Jones why he returned for another year of school, of course already knowing his answer but I knew it would pump up the crowd, His answer, “to win a national championship.” The crowd went wild! [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Participating in this event was made extra special when Coach Cal informed all of the ladies that the team was going to hold a one hour practice for us. His instructions were for the crowd to remain quiet to let the team focus and practice as if we were not even there. [/FONT]
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[B][U][FONT=Arial]Practice notes[/FONT][/U][/B][FONT=Arial]:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][B][FONT=Arial]Anthony Davis[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] is special. From all of the reports coming out I think everyone already knew this but I’m telling you, he is going to be a star. His shot is pure and graceful and he just glides across the floor when he runs down court.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][B][FONT=Arial]Michael Gilchrist[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] will be a beast….but he needs a little time. Gilchrist has all of the physical attributes and the heart to go along with it, but there were several times in drills where Cal stopped practice and gave him personal instruction. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][B][FONT=Arial]Terrence Jones[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]…I already see improvement. He looks faster and stronger and more confident. I saw a lot of the things that we loved about him from the beginning of last season, aggressively driving to the basket, following up a miss with a thundering dunk. He even graced the ladies with the Antoine Walker shimmy after one throw down![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][B][FONT=Arial]Darius Miller[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] was quiet. There was literally one point during the practice where I looked around for him because I felt like I had not seen him do anything. One thing I did notice is he was the fastest guy out there when his group had to run sprints and during the shooting drills he was nailing the three.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][B][FONT=Arial]Marquis Teague[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] looked like a leader and he can JUMP! I mean, he just springs to the rim, it really is unbelievable to see. He looked like he will meld right into Calipari’s dribble drive offense and I can’t wait to watch him lead this team.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][B][FONT=Arial]Best shooters: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]Anthony Davis, Darius Miller, Kyle Wiltjer, and Doron Lamb. What essentially plagued Kentucky in the Final Four game? Shooting, they went cold. This team is loaded with shooters, so I do not see this area as a weakness.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]- [/FONT][FONT=Arial]I have a soft spot for [B]Stacey Poole[/B]. He still seems to have a few knuckle-head moments during practice but when those would happen, Calipari would stop everything, and direct Poole on what he should do. They would run it again and boom, perfection. If the system will “click” in Poole’s head, he has an opportunity to be a contributor this year. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]This team is going to be special, and if North Carolina were not loaded, I would go ahead and make the bold prediction that #8 will be coming home. I honestly think there is a very big chance the Cats will be playing for that title this year, and I can’t wait to be along for the ride. GO CATS! [/FONT]
