the dynamic duo prepare for battle!
Calipari said Hagans may even be a
stronger defender than he was a year
ago and added that newcomer Tyrese Maxey
is “right there” with Hagans.
“He’s even more confIdenT defensively than he
was a year ago … (and) you got two guys that
can really guard the ball and really be long
and really still block shots and physically
sustain,” the Kentucky coach said.
Hagans and Maxey have been
going at each other in practice
and Hagans doesn’t mind the
competition.
“He’s good (and) he’s getting
me better, I’m getting him
better,” he said. “I know
we’re going to go out
there and compete. I, Tyrese,
(Immanuel) Quickley and
Johnny (Juzang) go at it and
argue every day in practice.
We’re just trying to make
each other better and get
ready for the season.”
Don’t Just
Stand there..
Get them!
Like Hagans, Quickley doesn’t
mind the intense intensity
of practice and
embraces the challenge.
“(My confIdence has grown)
a lot more aggressive
offensively and defensively,
(and I have) a lot
better feel
for the
game,” he said.
“Little things like that have
helped me a lot this year.”
A known shooter, Quickley
won the 3-point shooting
contest during Big Blue
Madness. Calipari said
Quickley’s change has been
obvious during preseason workouts.
8 | UK Basketball Preview 2019/2020