Responding to questions from the Tribune on the weekly Big Ten teleconference Monday, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo talked about Kentucky and its quest for perfection.
Later on the SEC call, a reporter asked Kentucky coach John Calipari a pointed question about Izzo’s comments. Judge for yourself if it was a fair question.
“If Kentucky is able to run the table, how do you compare that to what Indiana did nearly 40 years ago?”
Izzo: “It’s different in some ways … I think John has done a hell of a job. I’m not sure I’m crazy about the way everything has worked out; I don’t know what it will do for college basketball and everything like that. But he has withstood the pressure, he has dealt with the young guys. I think that has been great. Bobby Knight’s team, from what I know of it, was built on a lot more veterans and I don’t know what you’d consider. I know the SEC isn’t as strong and I don’t know where the Big Ten was then. I don’t know who they played in the non-conference … there are so many things I don’t know. But I know this: If you can go undefeated in ’76, 2015 or 3012, that’s an incredible accomplishment. No matter who you play, that pressure is very difficult. I give him a lot of credit for how he has handled this team, what they’ve done and I don’t know how you compare the two, to be honest.”
“Every coach would like to have that talent, but it’s not always easy managing an NBA roster? Or is it not that hard?”
Izzo: “I think John has a niche. It’s easier because it’s harder to control the, as you say, NBA roster, but the niche is that if you don’t (perform), you don’t play. He has another guy there who could also be on an NBA roster. Most of us don’t have that. So you have to put up with a little more (trouble), maybe, and most of us don’t have that issue. But he has issues, like: How do they defend? How do they run an offense? You’re talking about a lot of young kids and he has done it as well as anybody as far as getting those kids ready to play. They’ve been progressing and have had a chance to grow. It has worked. He has done it. If they go undefeated it’s an incredible accomplishment no matter if he has 12 McDonald’s All-Americans, instead of 10. Or 12 pros. It’s still difficult to do that, especially with young guys.”
The question asked to Calipari: “On the Big Ten teleconference, I guess just a little while ago, Tom Izzo said he’s not sure he’s happy with how things have gone in regards to you all and the chance you might run the table this season – whether you had 10 pros or 12 pros. What do you make of those comments?”
Calipari: “I didn’t hear them, but Tom and I are friends. I like the comment that Jay Bilas made: When you look at how this team has come together and how they share, I think that’s the narrative. How these guys sacrifice and give up minutes and shots to each other. I think that should be what this is all about, not how many guys have a chance to be pros. Other teams have really good players, too. I haven’t talked to Tom in a couple of weeks but he’s a good man and someone I consider a friend.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
