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Friends square off in NYC, as Cats battle Terrapins in season opener

John Calipari - photo by Walter Cornett | WildcatWorld.com

– photo by Walter Cornett | WildcatWorld.com

A game between friends has a completely different complexion because of an injury, an illness and an NCAA appeal.

The Cats take on the Terrapins in the regular season lid-lifter at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., at 8:30 p.m. Friday (ESPN).

Although head coach John Calipari does not like coaching against his friends, he was the one who initiated this matchup as part of the Barclays Classic.

“John Calipari is a friend of mine,” said second-year Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon. “Literally, I had just landed in Maryland and got off the plane when my phone rings and it's Cal and he offers me this game. John could have called anyone in the country, but he called me. The publicity we are going to get from playing in this game is big for our program — win or lose.”

Read full article here.

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