Chris Livingston builds momentum vs. SC State

Last night’s blowout win vs. SC State not only got Kentucky back in the win column, it gave several Cats some much-needed playing time. Every single player on Kentucky’s roster saw the floor save walk-on Grant Darbyshire, who is recovering from a leg injury. After a quiet start to the season, freshman Chris Livingston made the most of his 17 minutes, finishing with 13 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, and a block. It was the former five-star prospect’s first double-figure scoring effort as a Wildcat.

Afterward, John Calipari told reporters he was pleased with Livingston after a “shaky” performance vs. Michigan State. Livingston was 0-3 from the floor with three rebounds in 12 minutes in the double-overtime loss to the Spartans.

“They are trying, but it takes time,” Calipari said of Kentucky’s freshmen. “It takes experience. I was happy with Chris today. Driving the ball, making his shot. He started a little shaky like he was up in Michigan State. He was shaky. But we need his toughness.”

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“If neither one of you do, I’ll put Chris in at four.”

As Calipari tinkers with lineups over the course of the non-conference schedule, Livingston’s versatility is intriguing. At 6’6″, 220 lbs., he can play either forward or guard, not unlike his mentor LeBron James. Calipari likes him at the four, telling Jacob Toppin and Daimion Collins, who are ahead of Livingston in the rotation, that they better step up or the freshman will take their place.

“I put the challenge to both Jacob and Daimion, we need offensive rebounds. If you’re not getting them, you’re going with one hand, I’m taking you out and I’m playing Daimion, I don’t care the other stuff. Rebound the ball. Jacob had nine rebounds today. I’m looking at Daimion, you’d better get blocks. If you don’t get blocks, I’m not playing you. I’m playing Chris at four.”

“It’s very important,” Livingston said of his versatility. “I think it is one of the reasons I came here. I can fit in a lot of different lineups with a lot of different people. My teammates and I can just gel and work together. Me being able to slide around in different positions allows us to really show our depth as a team, so I think that’s good.”

Calipari came back to his challenge to Toppin and Collins later in his postgame press conference.

“I’ve already told you with Jacob and Daimion, you better offensive rebound or I’m putting the other guy in, and if neither one of you do, I’ll put Chris in at four. Now offensive rebound. Now they are going to check you and do it. That ain’t an excuse. You’re out, he’s in. Figure it out.”