Thursday Headlines: DJ Wagner Edition

When it comes to the Kentucky Wildcats backcourt, the question remained of how these high-level guards would coexist in the same backcourt with each being the top option during their prep careers.

However, DJ Wagner, one of the top incoming freshmen in the country, said there are no issues with Kentucky’s backcourt players sharing touches.

“I don’t feel no type of way toward it. We all just love to win and we all love to play basketball so I feel like we all want to do what we need to do win,” Wagner told reporters yesterday. “We all like to share the ball, like each other’s games, and like to play as a team. We all want to see each other happy and being successful. So it ain’t really no one ball, one person want to shoot all the shots, not like that. That’s not what it is.”

Kentucky has plenty of talent in the backcourt with the duo of Wagner and Rob Dillingham, along with the return of Antonio Reeves who averaged 14 points per game for the Wildcats last season.

Wagner told the media yesterday he’s ready to play whatever role is needed to help the team win and his teammates feel the same way.

“Whatever coach, whatever my team needs me to do, that’s what position I’m gonna play,” Wagner said. “I feel like that’s how it is for all of us. It ain’t really a specific position that anybody is gonna play. We’re all gonna just try to play different roles to the best of our abilities.”

John Calipari is no stranger to managing talented backcourts. Just a few years ago, the backcourt of Ashton Hagans-Tyrese Maxey-Immanuel Quickley was among the best in the country. John Wall and Eric Bledsoe were both lead guards but were able to play off each other in Lexington.

The upcoming Canada trip should provide some help for Calipari to mix lineups and see which ones work well together and which ones may need to build more chemistry, and this time together should certainly help build that.

Tweet of the Day

Not the best news for those hoping to see the team in Canada.

Headlines

Antonio Reeves officially announces return to Kentucky - CatsPause

After months of back and forth, the SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year is officially back with the Wildcats for a second season.

Kentucky's SEC Network Takeover Lineup Announced - KSR

Kentucky’s SEC Network Takeover is Thursday and highlights include football wins over Florida and Louisville and basketball wins over Auburn and Tennessee.

Jasper Johnson starts slow, shines late at Peach Jam - Herald Leader

The Kentucky target showed why he’s a highly-regarded prospect.

Reed Sheppard enjoying early Kentucky career - Cats Pause

Reed is making the most of his time at Kentucky already.

John Calipari can get creative with lineups in Canada - KSR

It’s a great opportunity to experiment and see what clicks.

College Basketball coaches split on tournament expansion - ESPN

Jim Larranaga is among the biggest proponents, while Tom Izzo seems against it.

NBA teams eyeing Bryce James - Bleacher Report

LeBron’s other son is drawing some attention on the recruiting circuit.

Top MLB trade candidates - CBS Sports

With less than a month until the deadline, some big names could be on the move.

Former Eagles player blames bad turf for Super Bowl loss - Yahoo

The playing surface in the game has been a controversial topic.