Calipari unsure how team will respond in wake of Alex’s injury
What impact will Alex’s injury have on the team? John Calipari said it can go one of two ways. “Things like this can bring people together or it can break people apart,” Cal said. “But you have to be more responsible, and you have to add a little bit to your game. When Nerlens went down, we didn’t have that mentality, that make up. We weren’t able to do it. We’re going to find out if this team has the ability to do it.”
Cal mentioned that before practice even began yesterday, the team spoke about clutter and trying to block it out. Now, they have to shake off the emotional upheaval from Alex’s injury and try to focus on beating North Carolina. “I don’t know. We have to play games. We’ll see,” Cal said on his team’s emotional state. “This is all part of it, things happen that you have to deal with and respond to. Next man up and all that, it’s great coach speak. The reality of it is the fear, and the anxiety, and all the other stuff that Alex has and we have for him, it just zaps you.”
Cal said he’s not sure if Alex will be at the game tomorrow, but if he’s able to be, can you imagine Rupp Arena if he was the Y?
7 Comments for Calipari unsure how team will respond in wake of Alex’s injury
This same core of players dealt with perhaps a more critical loss (WCS) last year right in the middle of the tournament, and we saw how they rallied. And they didn’t have much time to prepare for that lineup change either.
I don’t think he’s ready yet, but Poythress as the Y gives me chills.
I’d say in terms of importance to the team, the players rank something like this:
1. Andrew
2. WCS
3.Aaron
4. Ulis
5. KAT
6. Booker
7. Lyles
8. Dakari
9. Alex
10 Marcus
Just hoping they can get past the emotional loss…….
Agree if you are just talking about offense, but for defense and rebounding I think Alex ranks higher – somewhere around KAT / Booker.
Well, one thing to consider also is that at the time no one really knew how serious Willie was hurt. He was in some pain, but he was actually talking about trying to play through it. It is much more devastating for a team to see a brother-in-arms writhing on the court in pain.
In all fairness he was hurt enough that he didn’t play in the Bahamas games 3+ months later.
I’ll take “the glass is half full” approach and say they walk UNC tomorrow by 20. This team seems very close so while Alex will be missed (and was a huge part of the team’s makeup), they will pick up their game to fill the void.