You would think it was a summertime shoot around if you walked into Tiger head coach John Calipari’s pre-practice warm-ups at the Larry O. Finch Center.
Calipari is jogging on his treadmill and making small talk. Sophomore guard Antonio Burks is shooting free throws while the rest of the team slowly surfaces to loosen up and shoot around. Shooting the breeze on a stationary bike is former University of Memphis standout and NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, talking on a cellular headset.
Everything seems laid back. Consider it the calm before the storm.
Calipari, known for his grueling practices, began the Tigers’ annual ritual of two-a-day workouts this weekend. He had his team back to regular two and a half hour practices Monday and Tuesday.
“We look very good. Everybody’s working hard,” Calipari said Tuesday before practice. “I’m pleased right now, but we’re only five practices into the season.”
So it is with what many have called one of the best recruiting classes in the nation that Calipari begins the season. He said his team — which was welcomed Friday night during Midnight Madness by chants of “Final Four, Final Four” — would keep things simple in its early practices.
“We’ve been working on defense, conditioning and rebounding,” Calipari said. “The fundamentals, footwork and some basic offensive fundamentals like shooting, handling, passing, catching and some team defense.”
For some teams, what Calipari calls the “basics” are a season’s worth of work. But for Calipari, who led Massachusetts to the Final Four in 1996, being a decent team isn’t enough.
“I’m not worried about offense,” Calipari stressed to his Tigers Tuesday. He went on to tell his players that what he is worried about is, “rebounding, defense, conditioning, diving on the floor, taking charges and winning games.”
Burks said he and the rest of the team, which also features McDonald’s High School All-American Dejuan Wagner, All-Conference USA forward Kelly Wise and JUCO All-American Chris Massie among others, have been adjusting well to getting back to work.
“It’s not physical.” Burks said. “It’s harder to stay mentally focused. It’s easy if you just stay focused, pay attention and go through the workout.
“We won’t be ready until after the exhibition games. After a few games, we’ll be in mid-season form.”
Though Calipari said it’s too early to predict his starting lineup, he said whoever plays will get the job done.
“Starting for me is not an issue,” Calipari said. “It’s the guy who plays the last five minutes that matters. Other coaches and pro scouts want to know who ends games.”
Burks said he’ll be comfortable with whatever decision Calipari makes as far as playing time.
“Coach can switch a whole five at a time,” Burks said. “We can easily go eight to 10 deep this year.”
