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Kentucky coach John Calipari makes Thanksgiving plea to fans

Screenshot 2023-07-18 at 4.54.37 PMby:Riley Gates•11/24/22•

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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 23: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats against the North Florida Ospreys at Rupp Arena on November 23, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time that many take to step back and reflect on all they are thankful for in their lives. While many will spend the day with family in all areas of the country, Kentucky head coach John Calipari encourages fans to welcome in some unfamiliar faces into their homes this year. Calipari explained more following his team’s 40-point win over North Florida on Wednesday.

“I would tell everybody — if anybody’s writing this or you’re listening; reach out to somebody who you know, maybe by themselves. Invite them to your house,” Calipari said. “Maybe somebody that’s older, maybe a widow, maybe somebody’s that’s moved to town and they’re here by themselves. Invite them to the house. Bring them food and spend some time with them. It’s a great time and I think for all of us, that’s why we do stuff at Thanksgiving. I want these kids to feel it, what it is.”

Calipari’s words come after a significant victory for his team but it has been a slow start so far for the Wildcats. Kentucky enters the Thanksgiving holiday at 4-2 but does not have a Power Five win yet. The Wildcats have beaten Howard, Duquesne, South Carolina State and North Florida, but have lost games to Michigan State and Gonzaga. But while it has been a bit of a slow start, there is still plenty of time to turn things around and get going.

For Kentucky, that starts with star big man Oscar Tshiebwe. Battling a knee injury to start the season, Tshiebwe has been a bit limited to begin this year and been limited on his in-game time. Tshiebwe is averaging 24.8 minutes per game of action and is putting up 16 points and 13.8 rebounds per game in that time on the floor.

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Kentucky has a brief break before jumping back into action again. The Wildcats will not take the floor again until Nov. 29, when they host Bellarmine at Rupp Arena. That comes right before the Wildcats travel to London, England, to face the Michigan Wolverines on Dec. 4.