John Calipari explains Kentucky's struggles on defense vs Florida A&M

Despite beating Florida A&M 88-68 Wednesday night, Kentucky still has questions on defense. The Wildcats allowed the Rattlers to shoot 52% from the field and 56% from three-point territory — and John Calipari expressed his displeasure afterward.

In the halftime locker room with his team ahead 42-32, Calipari asked the room which players were leading the charge for Florida A&M. He wasn’t happy with Kentucky’s defensive effort through the first 20 minutes and called it out both in the locker room and in the press conference.

Calipari also noted the team was getting ready to head home for Winter Break. He said that could’ve been a factor, but it shouldn’t have.

“I had to ask them at halftime, ‘Who are the two guys that have all the points? Do you know the number? Why would you leave the guy? There were two guys. You left them, or you went out and guarded them with your arms down? Are you not watching?'” Calipari said. “Again, this is hard, playing here and playing for teams that come in inspired to play. You’ve got to bring it, and if you’re into you and you’re out there by yourself, this is impossible. You have to be together, all of you, and talking. We did some good stuff. But at halftime, nobody shot 50% on us this year. They did. … They shot 52 [percent] for the game? That’s the first team to do that to us.

“Just so you know, my stuff has been packed since this morning, and my guess is their stuff has been packed since this morning, too, and ready to get out of here. But that’s no excuse for what they did to us offensively. But give them credit. They were playing inspired. Again, they haven’t shot the ball from the three that way all year, but they did today.”

As well as Florida A&M shot the ball, Kentucky also played well on offense. The Wildcats shot 52.5% from the field and 56.5% from three-point distance to come away with the victory and improve to 8-3 on the season, including a perfect 7-0 record at Rupp Arena.

Now, the Wildcats turn their attention to their SEC opener against Missouri after a full week off for the holiday break. They then take on rival Louisville Dec. 31 as a final tune-up before conference play picks up for the rest of the season.