Liggins refuses to re-enter UK game
Freshman DeAndre Liggins refused to re-enter Kentucky’s game against Kansas State Friday night.
UK Coach Billy Gillispie acknowledged Liggins’ refusal to enter the game earely in the second half of UK’s 74-72 victory. “He just said he didn’t want to go back in . . . ,” Gillispie said before adding with a defiant tone, “and we made due without him.”
A followup question brought a softer, philosophical response from the UK coach.
“I was really surprised by that,” he said. “But it’s a freshman who wants to play all the time. When he doesn’t get to play all the time, sometimes you make mistakes like that. And hopefully it won’t be repeated.”
Liggins, a celebrated recruit who played last season for Findlay Prep in nearby Henderson, Nev., played only two minutes in the first half. He went to the bench after awkwardly slipping to the floor and being called for walking.
Because the game ended after 2 a.m. EST, UK did not make any players available for interview.
While Kentucky won without Liggins, his absence had repercussions. It forced starting point guard Michael Porter to play 36 minutes (second most of his career) against Kansas State’s pressure defense. Porter contributed five points and five assists while committing four turnoveres.
“He played very gutsy,” Gillispie said of Porter. “Because he was totally physically drained and worn out.
“He needed to be rested. He needed to not play so many minutes. But he had to. He showed a lot of toughness and grittiness.”
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