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John Calipari Talks Antonio Reeves Only Playing Three Minutes in Overtime

John Calipari
UK Athletics

It’s only one loss and it’s November, but that doesn’t make Kentucky fans feel any better about an 86-77 defeat vs. Michigan State Tuesday night in Indianapolis.

The Wildcats led for the majority of the game but the Spartans executed and made plays down the stretch that Kentucky didn’t.

Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves had been an elite performer through two games for the Wildcats, averaging 20.0 points in two wins.

Reeves struggled Tuesday, shooting only 1-of-7 from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range, but Kentucky needed a shot-maker when Oscar Tshiebwe fouled out in the first overtime period. However, Reeves wasn’t the guy to get the call, which left fans scratching their heads this morning.

Calipari said the following about Reeves playing three minutes in the two overtime periods.

“When Oscar went out with the fifth foul, I was going to go more with Antonio but I had to leave Cason in and then I’m thinking, okay what do we do? Hindsight is, maybe play him and just let him go get baskets for you, which he can do.”

With Kentucky’s offense stalling and no one making shots, Reeves would’ve provided a shot-maker for the Cats in the home stretch.

“I had guys, whether it was Daimion, Chris, Antonio, normally they’re playing more but what happened was you get into a rhythm and you’re like, okay, let’s stick with this,” Calipari said. “I only made subs, you’re riding a team that’s doing what they’re doing.”

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