John Calipari says that he as wells as his players got caught up in the hype about this Kentucky team coming into the season.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - John Calipari was not pleased with his team's second-half performance in Kentucky's 88-56 win over Samford on Tuesday night.
The Cats' coach suggested maybe he and his players thought this team was better than it is.
UK was ranked No. 3 in the preseason, opened with a win over Maryland and then lost to Duke but played the Blue Devils tough. Duke has since beaten top 5 opponents Louisville and Ohio State.
What followed for Kentucky was the first back-to-back non-conferences ever under Calipari in Lexington - which included his first loss at Rupp Arena in 55 games as UK's coach.
"I think we all got intoxicated, including me, about everything that was written and said about this team. I kept telling you, ‘We're not that good.’ I'm looking, ‘Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we're better than I think. Huh uh,'" Calipari said.
"I like my team. I like my players. I got good guys. They're going to do what I ask them to do.
"If you demand a lot, you get a lot. If you accept mediocrity... Obviously, I'm accepting something less than their best, and that's on me."
