John Calipari still hopeful this can be a special season; gives update on Keion Brooks

With the Kentucky Wildcats enduring a 1-4 start with the potential to start 1-6 before conference play, John Calipari is still hoping that he can right the ship and fix his team’s problems in time to have a successful season.

On Monday’s John Calipari show, Cal said that he wants this season to be one of the more rewarding seasons he’s had.

“I’ve been here, I’ve done this. It’s not easy. I want this to be one of the most rewarding years I’ve had here. I want this to be something they talk about for ten years. But they’ve got to buy in.”

The last time we saw Kentucky take the floor, they played their best ball of the season in the second half against Notre Dame, unfortunately, 1-4 is 1-4 whether it’s a close loss or a blowout.

It’s safe to think Kentucky would have at least one more win thus far if Keion Brooks Jr. was healthy. After a promising end to his freshman season, Brooks was primed for a big jump in Year 2. Seeing as how the Cas have losses of three points to Kansas and one to Notre Dame, they probably win at least one of them if Brooks plays.

Unfortunately, Brooks’ lingering calf injury has kept him sidelined for several months now. While it remains to be seen if he’ll play against UCLA this week or Louisville next week, Calipari is hopeful that Brooks will be back in time for the beginning of conference play on Dec. 29 vs. South Carolina.

“I feel good about it,” Calipari said of Brooks being back for the start of SEC play. “He’s not in contact stuff right now. We’ve got to do what the doctors are saying. They’re saying they want to be slow with it, and I’m fine (with it).”

It’s concerning that Brooks still isn’t doing contact work, so don’t expect him to suit up vs. the Bruins this Saturday.

In other news, Calipari also reacted to the sad news revolving around Florida star Keyontae Johnson. Johnson collapsed on the floor in a game against Florida State on Saturday and is now placed in a medically induced coma, but he has been transferred back to Gainesville.

Calipari said that after practice Monday, the team learned of Johnson being in a coma and said that he wanted all of his players to pray for Johnson.

You can listen to the full show below:

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