Coach Cal might want to focus on humility today in practice

Kentucky has five freshman and a JuCo transfer playing major minutes this season. With the Wildcat's high ranking and the amount of praise and prestige heaped upon this group of kids, youthful exuberance is to be expected.

But at some point, head coach John Calipari needs to explain the difference between confidence and idiocy.

Take DeMarcus Cousins as an example.

After Kentucky knocked off UNC-Asheville, DeMarcus Cousins had this to say to reporters about the UNC Tar Heels: "I'm not impressed."

DeMarcus Cousins needs a heaping helping of humility.
(photo credit: Washington Post)

When that AP report hit the internet, you could also hear the whirr of the printers in Chapel Hill. Roy Williams is a master motivator. The last thing you want to do as a player is to give the Heels more reason to be fired up for the meeting of the two blue bloods on Saturday.

But that's not it.

You see, every season Kentucky plays one game at Louisville's Freedom Hall, and last night was their annual trip. The Wildcats held an open practice on Sunday before the game in Freedom Hall, and that's where thing went a little south.

According to the Courier-Journal, Patrick Patterson, egged on by a fan, jumped high in the air and landed with a two-footed stomp on the Cardinal at center court. DeMarcus Cousins and Josh Harrellson followed suit.

Right as John Wall was about to go, Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua stepped in and put an end to the shenanigans.



Kentucky plays Louisville in their annual tilt in January.

How many times do you think the Cardinals players are going to watch this clip prior to that game?

There is no denying the talent on the UK roster. But last night was one of the first times all season that Kentucky, and DeMarcus Cousins (24 and 10 in 17 minutes), looked dominant. And it came against winless UNC-Asheville. The Wildcats have a lot of work to do and a long way to go before they are a team that can be considered a national title contender.

They aren't good enough right now to be able to provide their opponents with bulletin board material.

The sooner they realize that, the better.