UK's Marquis Teague lays up the ball during the second half of the University of Kentucky men's basketball game against Arkansas at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on 1/17/12. UK won the game 86-63. Photo by Mike Weaver | Staff
Some of the recently struggling Cats have been making strides and continuing to make progress to improve their performances, UK head coach John Calipari said.
Undoubtedly, freshman point guard Marquis Teague’s assist-to-turnover ratio has improved in the last few games.
“He’s starting to listen to Coach Cal more,” freshman forward Anthony Davis said. “As the season progresses, he’s really being the point guard we need him to be.”
Earlier in the season, during non-conference play Teague’s assists were overshadowed by his turnovers, with three assists to four turnovers against Loyola and four assists to six turnovers against Lamar.
But lately, since their New Year’s Eve victory over Louisville, Teague’s performance has improved, Calipari said, contributing nine assists to only three turnovers in the Cats’ most recent matchup against Arkansas.
“He’s playing as a point guard versus trying to score baskets,” Calipari said. “He’s still scoring and making free throws. The biggest thing is our team is a totally different team when he’s playing.”
But Teague isn’t the only player who has made improvements. Calipari said sohpomore forward Terrence Jones and sophomore guard Doron Lamb have begun to play like their former selves.
“Both of them have made strides,” Calipari said. “They’ve both got to keep going.”
With Jones recovering from a minor hand injury weeks ago, teammates say he is inching toward 100 percent with each passing day.
“He’s starting to get back in his groove, being more (aggressive),” Davis said. “He’s going back to the old Terrence Jones.”
Jones tallied 13 points and nine rebounds against Arkansas.
“I was playing like I usually play,” Jones said.
With more contributions from Lamb, who recorded 14 points in Tuesday’s game and senior guard Darius Miller, who had 11, the Cats have the potential to be restored to full capacity for Alabama on Saturday at Rupp Arena.
“Last year, (Alabama) beat us down there,” Calipari said. “They beat us in the paint. They beat us in the scoreboard. They beat us physically. They beat us a hundred different ways. They’re a really good team.”
Go Cats!