Kentucky was reduced in a 75-70 defeat at No. 18 Missouri.
The Wildcats were without Terrence Clarke, Jacob Toppin and assistant coach Joel Justus in Columbia. Ultimately, he forced John Calipari to play Cam’Ron Fletcher at one point, his first minutes of 2021. The depth was even more difficult after Olivier Sarr was fouled with more than five minutes left.
After the game, coach Cal said the three did not join the rest of the team for the trip, so Justus could work with the other two players, especially the lame Clarke who traveled with the team for all of his previous games.
“Joel stayed for that reason and I want to see the boy (Clarke) train tomorrow and Friday to see if he has any chance of playing against Tennessee. He didn’t need to be here. In basketball, when you’re looking at a guy, what, do we need a cheerleader? He didn’t need to be here. He needs to prepare to try to play that game on Saturday. If he can’t practice without limping on Thursday and Friday, he won’t play on Saturday and we’ll just keep him out and see where that goes. It gets to the point where you’re out. Five, six weeks means that you are simply not able. The game is too much for you to play. But that’s why we left him at home. “
First, do we believe that is why they stayed at home? And what exactly does the last part of your answer mean? If Clarke can’t play on Saturday, won’t he play again? Calipari’s answer leaves the listener with more questions than answers.
UPDATE (10:04 pm)
Shortly after pressing the “publish” button, John Calipari offered this to the UK Sports Network’s listening public. Understand how you want.
Calipari in the UK Radio Network postgame offers more about Terrence Clarke: If you limp after 5 weeks and the MRIs and scans show that there is nothing wrong, you cannot play.
– Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) February 4, 2021
The complete quote:
“After five weeks, are you still limping? And there is nothing wrong, there is no MRI – there is nothing there. But players know his pain and what his pain limit is, so if he’s limping, I won’t play against him. ”