Calipari Gives Off-Season Update on Next Year’s Team; Matchup with Notre Dame Set

First of all, I owe you an explanation for the above image. I enjoy leading off my posts with the results of a Google Image search for one of the words in the title of my post. In this case, I searched “off-season”. For some reason that escapes me, such a search yields a lot of pictures of disgustingly jacked bodybuilders who may or may not be clients of Dr. Anthony Galea. I opted for the one picture where the dude has his shirt on. You’re welcome.

Now that we have that tangent to end all tangents behind us, let’s get down to business. John Calipari has kept somewhat of a lower profile in recent weeks as he and his family deals with his mother’s battle with cancer, but today, David Scott of CoachCal.com provided an off-season update with quotes from Cal on how the team is progressing.

On Darnell Dodson

“Darnell finished the year up strong academically but still has a ways to go and will be on campus this summer to take some classes. He still has some work to do before he will be able to be on the court with us.” – Calipari

The continuing story of Darnell Dodson, huh? Based on this information, it sounds like Darnell is trying to work his way back, but has still not completely dug himself out of the hole. It will be very interesting to see if the rising junior is able to prove to his coach whether he deserves to be on the team.

On DeAndre Liggins

“DeAndre (Liggins) is really putting in the hours in the gym, from what I’m told.” – Calipari

Calipari has limited access to his players during this time, so that’s why he says “from what I’m told.” Liggins figures to have the inside track to a significant role next year, but he plays a spot with some heavy competition. Liggins, Darius Miller, Dodson, Doron Lamb, Stacey Poole, and Jon Hood all figure to compete for minutes at the two and three positions, as well as backup minutes behind Brandon Knight. I anticipate Liggins filling the energizing first man off the bench role he played last year.

On Josh Harrellson and Jon Hood

“I got a great note from Robby (Speer, the leader of Hood and Harrellson’s China trip) and he praised how hard Josh and Jon worked and the way they represented our University throughout their travels,” Coach Cal said. “When our guys get the chance to take part in adventures like that, it not only makes them better, but it makes our team better as they are exposed to all different types of play.”

Hood and Harrellson have been somewhat of an afterthought this off-season due to their lack of play last season. However, with a year of Calipari’s system under their belts, they may just have a leg up on incoming freshman for some early playing time, although I doubt it.

On the team’s pre-season Canada trip

“That’s going to be great for all of us,” said Coach Cal. “To be able to get together and get a head start on what we are going to need to do with such a young and inexperienced team will go a long way in preparing us for what is going to be an incredibly challenging regular season schedule.”

I do like the fact that the team will face some outside competition before the season starts, something that did not happen last year. You never can quite simulate game intensity, but this should be a very positive experience for the team.

UK to Face Notre Dame in Freedom Hall

Pairings for the annual SEC-Big East Invitational were released today and, most notably, Kentucky will face Notre Dame on December 8 at 9:30 pm in Freedom Hall. John Calipari has talked constantly about adding big names to the schedule, playing in Freedom Hall, and playing neutral site games in general. This fits the bill on all three counts.

While this is not the best news for those of us who like to sleep on Wednesday nights, it will be a very cool game between two of the biggest names in college sports. Also, based on recent happenings, this could well be the last SEC-Big East Invitational because, well, the Big East could be on the brink.