‘Intelligent’ Bledsoe at UK controls

With star freshman John Wall having to sit out Kentucky’s opening game against Morehead State on Friday, Coach John Calipari offered good news: Alternate point guard and fellow freshman Eric Bledsoe should be ready to go.
Bledsoe sat out UK’s second exhibition game after spraining an ankle in the first.
When asked about Bledsoe’s availability against Morehead State, Calipari said the freshman was “very, very fast” in Wednesday’s practice.
The UK camp conceded that not having Wall makes a difference. The NCAA ordered Wall to sit out one regular-season game as punishment for having some recruiting expenses paid by an agent, AAU coach Brian Clifton.
“John is more advanced in his conditioning and pace of the game,” Calipari said. “That’s it. If Eric went just as hard up and down the court, you’d see the same kind of speed.”
UK players voiced confidence in Bledsoe.
“I don’t think much will be different,” Josh Harrellson said before identifying one difference. “The game probably won’t be as fast-paced.”
Wall has a “quicker change of direction,” Darnell Dodson said.
But in terms of running the team and basketball knowledge, Calipari vouched for Bledsoe, who the UK coach called “one of the most intelligent players I’ve coached. He also has unbelievable instincts. We have a lot of key words. (When a key word is said), This kid — boom — he’s right into it.
“Now, what he’s got to start doing is be more vocal. He’ll do it with a head nod when they need a yell.”