"I wouldn't be surprised if we went up there and got knocked in the mouth," the Kentucky coach said Tuesday. "It wouldn't surprise me at all because they are going to come out playing like it's the Super Bowl, and we better do the same. We better come with the same intensity after I made substitutions against North Carolina. The same kind of intensity."
Calipari got a big lift from his reserves and was pleased with Daniel Orton and Perry Stevenson's contributions in the Cats' last outing against the Tar Heels.
"Those two won the game for us. Patrick (Patterson) did his thing, John (Wall) did his thing, and the other guys did OK. Darnell (Dodson) and Darius (Miller) gave up a few rebounds, but they got a few rebounds. But, with Perry and Daniel Orton, their effort and energy was unbelievable. They ran, blocked shots, made themselves big, and did everything you have to do for us to win."
Orton said he embraces his role off the bench and said his role is to bring energy on the floor when he's in the lineup.
"I really don't have much of a leadership role, but I kind of felt like a leader out there," he said. "It helped us get on the roll that we got on (against North Carolina)."
Calipari said Stevenson has to be more "consistent" to get more playing time and added that he likes having the combination of Stevenson and Patterson on the floor at the same time.
"What you saw this game, has got to be the next game. You have to bring it every day, not just this game," the Kentucky coach said. "That's not how you win. He was terrific and we need him. Playing him and Patrick together is not hard because they know each other. I put those two in the game and we were fine. We let Perry play inside and Patrick play where he plays."
Wall said a big key will be stopping the backcourt duo of Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker, along with post players Alex Oriakhi and Staley Robinson.
"It is going to be a pretty tough matchup — it is not going to be an easy game so we have to be prepared for a good game," Wall said.
Orton said he expects a competitive atmosphere.
"It is a game, just like any other game, just played in a historic arena," he said.
