All John Calipari said following Kentucky basketball victory over Alabama

Rupp Arena saw UK basketball dominate Alabama 117-95 on Saturday night, writing a number of new records in the process. Saturday’s focus was on the Wildcats’ ability to score, regardless of the SEC-leading Crimson Tide’s top-ranked offense, which they brought to Lexington.

With a brilliant performance that included four 3-pointers in four attempts and a perfect 10-for-10 shooting from the field, freshman Justin Edwards led the way for Kentucky (19-8, 9-5 SEC).

The only two perfect shooting games in UK history, Rodney Dent’s (12-for-12 against Morehead State in 1993) and Kenny Walker’s (11-for-11 against Western Kentucky in 1986), were surpassed by Edwards’ 10-for-10 shooting performance.

Antonio Reeves, a fifth-year guard at UK, scored 24 points in his first game after breaking the 1,000-point mark. Zvonimir Ivisic, a rookie center, also had a stellar night, scoring 18 points and grabbing four rebounds in 20 minutes of action. Ivisic had only contributed four total minutes to UK’s previous three contests.

The UK team’s offensive statistics were astounding: the Wildcats’ 1.539 points per possession versus the Crimson Tide were the most since at least the 2002–03 campaign. The 117 points that UK scored against an AP-ranked opponent was a record for the Wildcats.

One last offensive tidbit from Kentucky’s pivotal victory: 117 points was Kentucky’s total on Saturday. In the last five basketball halves, Virginia has scored 112 points in total (100 minutes). And the Wildcats accomplished all of this while Tre Mitchell, a fifth-year forward, missed his third straight game due to injury.

After the game, John Calipari held a media conference at Rupp Arena to talk about his team’s amazing scoring performance, which came only days after an unexpected SEC road loss at LSU. Here’s what Calipari had to say after the erratic UK basketball season took a significant turn for the better.

Concern regarding Justin Edwards’s progress.

You know, I’ve been saying this all along—I think you’re going to succeed. “Coach, I believe in you,” he added. And I told him to just stick with it. He has lived in the gym, I told the team today. He hit every shot. He turned back and was about to twirl, move, and toss the ball, but I pulled him out. I told him, “You’re playing a perfect game,” and I took him out. I will not allow you to make a mistake.

However, and even Z. Yesterday, I decided that Z would be my role. There was opposition, yes. However, I replied, “Nope,” because I would follow my instincts when I wake up and feel that’s the right thing to do. He has bided his time. It’s none of Aaron’s or his skill. All of the play is physical. Are you fit enough to continue playing games? They were in this game, too.

Look, though, our lineup was different. Justin and I were supposed to play at four today. And that was a really good move because it gives you four guards with a significant advantage out there. I keep returning to this idea because there are many different ways we may approach it; all we need to do is have everyone prepared for when their turn comes. Rob, Reed, and Antonio were all excellent. You know, DJ’s timing and rhythm are a little off after his vacation.

It simply has. You are aware that his 3-point percentage was 40%. When you see him, like everyone else, make free throws. Then you begin to remark, “Well, the timing is impeccable.” He didn’t bounce a ball during his two and a half-week vacation. He’ll return. He does, however, battle for us when it comes to defense, ball screens, and balls. The crux of our defense is that we are generally strong against him. Indeed, we are. I didn’t play him, and LSU scored 48% of their points in the second half.

The coach emphasized the strengths of his offensive lineup, highlighting the potential of players like Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves, Justin Edwards, and Zvonimir Ivisic. He praised Ivisic’s performance and explained his decision to play him more, citing his effectiveness in certain game situations. He also discussed coaching young players to understand different game strategies and adaptability.

Despite occasional inconsistencies, he expressed confidence in his team’s talent and emphasized the importance of focusing on the game rather than external factors. The coach stressed the need for consistent performances and encouraged his team to maintain a positive mindset and focus on their potential achievements. He acknowledged the challenges of coaching young players but expressed optimism about their progress and ability to overcome obstacles.