Calipari wants Cats to crack code to consistency

Kentucky beat Penn on Monday night. But falling behind by 12 in the first half, then rallying was not the kind of victory Coach John Calipari wanted as a springboard into Southeastern Conference play.

"If we played in a league game and did this, we're down 15 at the half, and it's a struggle now," Calipari said after UK's 86-62 victory. "The other (SEC) team, you know, they're going to grind it a little bit more and make us take chances. And they keep making shots, you lose the game.

"I mean, that's the lesson of this game."

The victory over Penn had a familiar feel. There was Calipari calling timeouts because of defensive lapses. There was a starter, in this case Darius Miller, sitting on the bench as the second half began. There was Eloy Vargas imposing his will during one stretch of the game and at another juncture reaching for a rebound with one hand rather than securing it with two. There was Terrence Jones oozing skill but not intent on dominating the game the way Calipari thinks he should.

Reflecting on the inconsistencies, Calipari said, "You know, it's just the importance of every possession we don't get yet. And young kids don't. Inexperienced players don't."

Kristanna Loken Aubrey ODay Drew Barrymore Marley Shelton Thalía