Calipari tired of crushing teams: 'I don't want these kind of scores'
John Calipari is getting fed up with winning big, and wants his team to have to fight through a close game.
The Kentucky head coach has led his team so far to a perfect 6-0 record, averaging a total of 92 points per victory and a 28-point average margin of victory. Many coaches would be content with the thunderous effort the Wildcats have given so far this season, but Calipari doesn't exactly fall into the category of "many coaches."
"We need close games to see - alright, who and how do we finish a game? Calipari said during his press conference Monday, according to Kyle Boone of CBS Sports. "Who do we finish with and how do we finish? Who can make the play? Who cannot - absolutely not - be in the game? But, until you're in a close game you don't know. Believe me, I don't want these kind of scores. At times, I'd like us to shoot 32 percent and win. Like, just god awful, can't make a shot and still win the game."
The Wildcats have been on cruise control through their first six games, never receiving any sort of pressure from their opponents thus far.
| Opponent | Score | Point Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 87-64 | 23 |
| Canisius | 93-69 | 24 |
| (13) Michigan State | 69-48 | 21 |
| Duquesne | 93-59 | 34 |
| Cleveland State | 101-70 | 31 |
| University of Tennessee - Martin | 111-76 | 35 |
It's only the the first six games of the season, but perhaps a tougher schedule with more ranked opponents could solve Calipari's perceived problem in the future. The Wildcats seemed to set the tone for their impressive start in an epic preseason annihilation of Asbury, an NAIA program that plays in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Related: By the numbers: Kentucky sets scoring record in astonishing fashion
Looking ahead, Kentucky is set to face the likes of Arizona State, No. 11 UCLA, Valparaiso, and Hofstra in the next two weeks.