WILDCATS

Calipari says Cats need early test vs. Kansas

Kyle Tucker

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Never one to turn down a chance for national exposure, University of Kentucky coach John Calipari agreed to play in the made-for-TV Champions Classic during the second week of the past three seasons and signed on for another three years starting with tonight's game against fifth-ranked Kansas at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

But being a willing participant in ESPN's creation hasn't stopped Calipari from complaining before that it is "not fair" for his perpetually young teams to face such stiff competition so early. The Wildcats' 2012 NCAA title team beat the Jayhawks in this event — and later the national championship game — but their last two squads fell to Duke and Michigan State in the Classic.

Those teams didn't have what this one does: 10 projected pros, nine former McDonald's All-Americans and a starting lineup featuring two sophomores, two juniors and just one freshman. Calipari started four freshmen and played seven against the Spartans in this event last season.

It's little wonder, then, why he suddenly doesn't mind a major test right out of the gate for top-ranked Kentucky (2-0).

"Well, we're in a little different position than I've been in the past, where you got a brand-new team and you're trying to just get your team together," he said. "This team needs to be challenged to see where we are, and this is going to be one of those kinds of games."

While Kansas (1-0) doesn't have the Wildcats' depth — who does? — it can put five players on the floor at a given time that are similarly talented. The Jayhawks have five former five-star recruits on the roster to UK's nine and six players 6-8 or taller to the Cats' seven.

ESPN's Chad Ford has as many Kansas players (three) as Kentucky guys among his top 25 NBA draft prospects for 2015, including 6-7 swingman Kelly Oubre and 6-8 power forward Cliff Alexander, projected top-10 picks who are (for now) coming off the Jayhawks' bench. Junior shooting guard Wayne Seldon is also a potential first-round pick and junior forward Perry Ellis is a former McDonald's All-American.

In other words: This is not Buffalo, which led the Cats at halftime Sunday.

"They're a top-five team. They're predicted to be in the Final Four. They're that good," Calipari said. "And if we play like we did in the first half last game, we'll get smashed. If we play like we did in the second half, we got a chance. Because you're gonna have to fight on every possession."

Kansas coach Bill Self is focusing on that second half against the Bulls, which he described as "a beatdown," when Kentucky gave up just 14 points, forced 10 turnovers and allowed only four made field goals.

"They're extremely talented, a lot like they were in 2012," Self said. "They're so long, so big, and they can all move. They've got all the pieces to have a great team, obviously. But on the flip side, hopefully we'll be sound enough that we can create problems for them, too."

Kentucky freshman Trey Lyles, a 6-10 McDonald's All-American from Indianapolis who'll enjoy a homecoming tonight, believes that because the Wildcats face arguably as much talent in their own practice gym they'll be ready for whatever the Jayhawks can do.

"We're going against the best players in the country every day," he said. "I think that we're prepared for it."

Calipari knows the freshmen are not. His rookie-led team fell behind 10-0 and trailed by 15 in the first half against Michigan State last season. The newcomers looked shell-shocked before Julius Randle eventually put the team on his back and for a rally that came up just short.

Five guys who played at least 14 minutes in that game are back for the Wildcats tonight.

"I would hope that these veterans understand what they're walking into," Calipari said. "But, look, teams are going to play like their life depends on it, and then we've got to do the same."

This also provides the first test of Calipari's two-platoon system, which was shaky for a half against Buffalo, in a high-level game. How will it hold up under the pressure? How long will he stick with it if an opponent starts pulling away?

"We have so many questions to answer," he said. "You can say what you want (but) this is a totally different team than last year's team, even though we have some guys back. So it's now: OK, what does this team need? What do they need from me? How do we need to play? What gives them the best chance?

"And by the end of the year, hopefully those quests are answered and it's not as late as last year."

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.

UK, KU IN ESPN TOP 100 NBA PROSPECTS

Kentucky

No. 2 Karl-Anthony Towns, 6-11, C

No. 14 Willie Cauley-Stein, 7-0, C

No. 25 Trey Lyles, 6-10, SF

No. 32 Dakari Johnson, 7-0, C

No. 34 Alex Poythress, 6-8, SF

No. 38 Aaron Harrison, 6-6, SG

No. 41 Andrew Harrison, 6-6, PG

No. 46 Marcus Lee, 6-9, PF

No. 63 Devin Booker, 6-6, SG

No. 82 Tyler Ulis, 5-9, PG

Kansas

No. 5 Kelly Oubre, 6-7, SF

No. 7 Cliff Alexander, 6-8, PF

No. 22 Wayne Seldon, 6-5, SG

No. 72 Jamari Traylor, 6-8, PF