John Calipari and seniors preview Kentucky vs UCLA in Sweet 16

Q. Knowing Coach has never been past the Sweet 16 and knowing Bryce and Isaac aren’t going to be here next year, who knows who else won’t be here next year, how much does that add to the importance for you guys to do it for Coach? I see things before they happen and I kind of have a good feel for the game. Like I said, I know he’s in a better place, and I know he’s looking over me. “I think he’s just continued to get better …”

A closely watched facet of Kentucky’s visit to Memphis has been the response of Memphians and particularly University of Memphis fans to John Calipari. UCLA was pulled into the NCAA tournament by its two gifted freshmen and it will go only as far in this tournament as the two 19-year-olds will take them, all plainly evident in their occasionally shaky 97-80 opening-round victory over Kent State.

United Kingdom players Thursday said they felt their defense has improved significantly since the game against UCLA. United Kingdom and UCLA represent two of the blue-bloods of college basketball to the fullest extent, combing for 19 national championships and 35 Final Fours.

The incredible thing is how little impact all of the commotion has had on Lonzo Ball’s performances for the Bruins. UCLA has won 11, Kentucky eight, and no other school has won more than five.

In NCAA appearances, Kentucky is first and UCLA third. However, this time was different, since the Trojans rallied and won the game by a score of 75 to 71. Attendance then surged inside Pauley Pavilion, where the Bruins played before celebrities that included Jessica Alba, Vince Vaughn and Caitlyn Jenner. UCLA and Kentucky have met 13 times, seven of the games coming this century.

“You nearly don’t want to think about it”, Steve Alford said.

LONZO BALL: I think it’s just playing point guard my whole life. “And here we are in a neutral setting”.

Alford said his players had been taking finals on Thursday.

Coach Cal led the Memphis Tigers from 2001-09. Fox had more assists (nine), but fewer turnovers (two).

While he has a wacky shooting motion that should absolutely not work, he’s hitting 42 percent from beyond the arc and has near-unlimited range.

We asked people to provide three words they would use to describe John Calipari. Ellen (his wife) and I loved our time here …

“I think for two freshmen these guys have been built this way”, said Alford.

College basketball fans can barely wait until Friday. It just is. There’s was no intent to offend anybody. The Cats haven’t lost since February 4. This UCLA has lost once since January 25. Obviously, they should be high in the (2017 NBA) draft, this upcoming draft. That’s unheard of playing as fast as we want to play. “I can go on and on and on”. Six players average double figures in scoring, giving the Bruins the balance needed to withstand an off night by one or two of their stars.

“I think we did all right here”. “That’s a lot of transition points”.

The question was directed at Lonzo Ball’s teammate, but the UCLA point guard wasn’t about to leave the podium without answering it himself.

This will essentially make it a United Kingdom home game and that is fine for the Bruins as they have already proven they can beat Kentucky at home.

FAB FRESHMEN: Kentucky has its trio of starting freshmen in Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo. Possibly the best game of this Dance.

“Basically dominated the game”, Calipari said.

With two of the highest-scoring offenses in the country, numerous freshmen phenoms, National Basketball Association lottery picks galore and two head coaches who have been there and done that in the tourney, we should be in for a real treat come tip-off of this one.

UCLA and Kentucky will trot out the same lineups, but only in name.