UK's Harrison twins: We want wins, not minutes

Our esteemed columnist, Adam Himmelsbach, wrote a column that appeared online yesterday and in print today about the sacrifice sophomore guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison are making in Kentucky's two-platoon system.

They're really the only guys whose minutes have dipped dramatically from last season – Aaron's from 32.6 per game to 22 through three games this year; Andrew's from 31.7 to 20. Today, following a 32-point rout of fifth-ranked Kansas and as the top-ranked Wildcats prepare to host Boston University tomorrow, the twins talked about that very thing.

"Coach knows that we're sacrificing," Andrew said. "We might not be getting the numbers we planned on getting and stuff like that, but when we win and we're playing like that, together as a team, and everyone is shining, everyone is seeing what you can do, it's great."

Andrew is shooting 47.4 percent overall, 42.9 percent from 3-point range and averaging 9.7 points and 2.7 assists in his 20 minutes. Aaron is shooting just 33.3 percent so far, averaging 7.7 points, two rebounds and a steal in 22 minutes per game.

Coach John Calipari has said he needs to get the ball into Aaron's hands more often, and his brother agrees, saying he's "probably the best scorer we have." But both brothers say they're happy with the current arrangement.

"That shows how unselfish our team is," Andrew said. "If you're the best scorer on the team and you're not really worried about points – you just want to win, do whatever it takes to win – that just shows.

"Anybody can see how good you are in 20 minutes, just like they can in 35 minutes. It's not like you can't see the talent or can't see how good you are."

Aaron Harrison said team success is "the ultimate goal in basketball, period" and the Wildcats have a roster – deep and talented as it is – that has bought into that concept.

"It even shows a lot about the new guys," he said. "We all know we're sacrificing things, and you just have to be mature and be able to give it up."

After all, many of the players on this team experienced last year's struggles, when a roster full of elite freshmen who thought they could go undefeated lost nine regular-season games before coming together to launch a memorable run to the NCAA title game.

"Some of us have been through it," Andrew said, "and we know how hard it is to try to win on individual play. So we're just trying to play as a team."

* For instant updates on the Wildcats, follow me on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ. Email me at ktucker@courier-journal.com.