By Josh Ellis

Calipari said that Ulis did not practice on Sunday, and that if he needs to sit Ulis for a game or two he will. Calipari also noted Ulis’ absence gives freshman guard Isaiah Briscoe a chance to get some time on the floor by himself.

“Knowing him he’ll want to play, but we’ll just have to see. I mean, we’re playing a good team. Illinois State, I watched their Maryland game. They had Maryland beat,” Calipari said. “Tyler just keeps coming and he does not stop and he’s not going to make mistakes to let another team get back in the game. That’s the difference. That’s the experience.”

Illinois State is no cupcake

Though the Redbirds might not pass the eye-test with their 3-4 record and 41 percent average from the field, Illinois State should not be taken lightly. It took rallies late in the second half for San Diego State and No. 2 Maryland to take down this feisty Illinois State team.

“They had Maryland beat. They’ve got their quick guard, (Paris) Lee; I’m not sure what we’ll be able to do with him. They’ve got a kid (DeVaughn) Akoon-Purcell that’s scoring 16-17 a game,” Calipari said. “Will be a tough matchup for us depending on how we play. They’ve got some veteran guys. They run. It’s not Princeton (offense); it’s more like a five-out where you’ve got to play it like you’re playing Princeton. But they do good stuff. So we’ve got a hard game.

Look for a bump in Dominique Hawkins’ playing time

After Ulis went out with an injury against USF, Hawkins contributed three points in his nine minutes of play. The Madison Central star did not have his best game on either end of the floor, but Calipari said that could change come Monday.

But he’ll have to earn it. Calipari said on Sunday that every player is where they’re at because of themselves, and need to take advantage of their minutes like freshman Charles Matthews has the last few games.

“It’s what (Hawkins) wants and what he’s willing to do to get that. There’s pressure on these kids. Like you can’t go in and just not guard,” Calipari said. “You can’t go in and be so anxious that you’re tight. You can’t do that here. You’ve got to play. And it’s on them to do it. And they know it.”