John Calipari explains biggest issue that led to free throw misses

Kentucky shot 38.5 percent from the free throw line in Saturday’s 63-53 loss to UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic. Missed opportunities at the line and a sluggish final eight minutes plagued John Calipari’s Wildcats as the Bruins took control of the entire game.

Following the disappointing finish, Calipari discussed his team’s abysmal 5-for-13 mark from the line and the factors that played into it.

“We’re not a bad free-throw shooting team. We were today. But mental toughness comes into play in all that. You’ve just got to be tough enough to know, I’m going to the line. I’m making these,” Calipari said after the loss. “I told them prior to the game, you’ve got to play like you have nothing to lose. And everybody that we play against plays like they have nothing to lose. So we’ve got to play that way.”

That lack of mental toughness coincided with Kentucky allowing UCLA to go on an 8-0 run over the final 4:11 of regulation. Kentucky scored once in the final five minutes of regulation and missed its last 11 shots.

UK went so far as to tie the game at 40 during the second half. They even trailed 53-51 right before the final four minutes, but Kentucky’s poor shot selection alongside leaving several 1-and-1 free throw attempts off the board, there was no shot Kentucky could overcome the Bruins.

“We’ll go back, and we’ll get better. Like I said, the only way you can learn about your team mentally and physically is in games like this, where you just get physically beat and learn,” Calipari said. “Now it’s either you learn you can play in this kind of game or you can’t be in the game.”

Kentucky will look to get back on track this Wednesday as they host the Florida A&M Rattlers inside Rupp Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET live on the SEC Network.