To say that BJ Boston is in a crisis is an understatement. The former top five recruits fought again tonight, hitting 3-9 shots for 6 points in 27 minutes. This was the first game in which Boston did not score in double figures in Kentucky and at one point in the first half, boos were heard in Rupp after he missed a shot. John Calipari ended his post-game press by asking fans to support Boston and direct their frustrations at him.
“We need our fans to absolutely support BJ. I don’t know why anyone would hate anyone. If you want to be ugly, be ugly with me. It’s my fault. Don’t be ugly with him. I’m the one who put him in the game. So, if you’re upset, be mad at me. Be positive. Everyone left Devin alone. When Devin fought early, no one really grabbed Devin. Our fans left him alone and let him do his job and look where Devin is now. And now I say the same thing.
“Our fans were not bad on BJ. They were pretty good because they’re good people. They are not ugly. There are no trolls. These are not. So now you’re going to see him start coming – and you know what? You will feel that you played a role in it. “
To be clear, Calipari was not happy with Boston’s performance tonight, telling reporters that he took out Boston in the last seven minutes of the game not because of his offense, but because of his defense.
“We can lie to children or keep their reality. If someone plays better than you and is tougher than you, they will be there, especially in the last 5-8 minutes of play. It’s just the way it is. And he knows that. And I said to him, when I took him out, I said, ‘Man, be proud of your defense. They really want you. And he will. He’s a great player. “
“I don’t give up any player and I believe in BJ,” Calipari added. “I worked at BJ to play in a certain way, but he will return to what he knows best, those flips. Don’t hit. I told him, “All the things I worked on, you didn’t do anything today.” And I expected him to have a great game today because he was so good in practice, so good at individuals. All things, stopping on the lane and just a stop one or two, a small float and had two or three opportunities and tries to throw balls. But he will get it and I believe in him. “
Last night, on the call show, Calipari said that he has a player staying at home, and in tonight’s show, Tom Hart confirmed that he is Boston. After the game, Calipari once again mentioned how difficult this season has been for the players, who have been robbed of the best parts to be a Kentucky Wildcat due to the pandemic.
“Do you know how hard that was? What if he didn’t have a chance to play in front of 24,000. Do you know how much this team would need? Understand that all this stuff, we didn’t have team building and things happening and then emotionally – and the 0ur fans were wonderful. They did not bury the children. They were pretty positive with them, but you can see that these things are adding up as well, so now I don’t want to put too much pressure on them. Devin did this early. I had to say, “Come on, man, go back. I believe in you, but you can’t be in the mentality you are in, every basket is life and death. You can’t play ball. ‘ “
Both Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz said they knew Boston was coming, praising the freshman’s work ethic.
“We’re just telling him to stay the course,” Sarr said. “He’s coming. He’s working hard, more and more than anyone else. He’s in the gym. I think it’s just a matter of time for him and I know he’s coming for him. We trust him because we see him every day. “What he can do in practice. Honestly, it’s only a matter of time.”
“Keep doing the same things,” Mintz said of the advice he gave to his younger teammate. “BJ is always at the gym. This is the part that people don’t see. We understand that he may not do his best, but he is still a freshman. It’s still growing. But BJ is at the gym all the time and finally bears fruit. It’s always worth it. He continues to do the same. Stay with the coaches. It will fall soon. At this moment, all he can do now is be patient with his game. “
Stay there, BJ.