John Calipari says team is 'fighting and playing' in Game 1 of GLOBL Jam

Kentucky finished the first half of Wednesday’s GLOBL Jam opener versus Team Germany with a 39-36 lead. Wildcats head coach John Calipari liked what he saw from his team in the first half of the GLOBL Jam game, although there were also points he hopes to see improve.

“Like us to make a couple more threes,” Calipari said on the Sportsnet broadcast of the GLOBL Jam game. “But the kids are fighting and playing. You have 10 practices. They’re all new. I’m really proud of how they’re finding each other. We’re trying to get a group out there that plays together.”

Antonio Reeves led the team with 13 points at the end of the half. DJ Wagner was second with eight points plus three assists and two steals.

The team is without center Ugonna Onyenso, who was injured in Kentucky’s scrimmage the day before, leaving the Wildcats without a true center. Five-star freshman Aaron Bradshaw is also out with an injury.

The team was 15 of 39 from the field for a 38% field goal percentage. They were 3-for-12 from 3-point land.

“I think again, you got to find, know who their shooters are, and you can’t totally leave them, which is what we’ve done,” Calipari said. “Like helpside, you can help but you’ve got to know who you’re playing. So we’ll talk about that. I want us to play faster, play more random, inside-out threes. We took 11. We should have taken two or three more.”

Kentucky’s shoe bag stolen ahead of Wednesday’s game GLOBL Jam game

Kentucky had its shoe bag stolen off the team bus during the night, Wildcats radio announcer Tom Leach said Wednesday during the game.

The team had a backup shoe bag not on the bus so the team used those shoes during Wednesday’s game.

Whether they have their favorite shoes or not, John Calipari and his Kentucky players have high expectations for the team’s performance at GLOBL Jam. Freshman Jordan Burks said his expectation is to win all the games the team plays.

“My expectation is to win all of the games,” Burks told reporters ahead of the tournament. “We have to work together and win. Winning is key. If we win, we all get to eat. … I want to win the national championship. I want to win games [with this group], I want to see everyone happy. It’s a team sport, it’s not just yourself.”

The team has two more group stage games before a final game Sunday.