[ReynardMuldrake]

“The issue becomes playing teams (like Michigan State) this early is not fair for my team,” Calipari said Thursday. “It may be fair for everybody else. But it’s no fair for my team.”

Kentucky has become known primarily as the place for so-called one-and-done players. Calipari proclaimed the 2010 NBA draft, when four UK freshmen were picked in the first round, the greatest day in the program’s history.

As a marketing tool, it was hard to argue. One-and-done players such as former Detroit Piston Brandon Knight, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Nerlens Noel and Archie Goodwin flowed out of Kentucky. Prospects repeatedly cite that fast track to the NBA as Kentucky’s appeal.

“Our program is not traditional,” said Calipari, who also noted that his UK players achieve in the classroom and stay connected to the UK community despite living here less than a year.

“It’s just not traditional in the sense everybody stays four years,” he said. “So it’s not fair when we walk in and everybody else is more experienced.”

Calipari spoke of 18- or 19-year-olds for Kentucky facing opponents who are 21 or 22.

“As big (a difference) as 16 against 19,” he said. “It’s huge.”

Kentucky will test that premise against Michigan State. Of the physical challenge his players face in Michigan State, Calipari said, “I think they’ll be stunned when they really see it.”

In the second game of the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Duke plays Kansas.

http://www.freep.com/article/2013110...michigan-state