John Calipari was a little more than 10 minutes away from coaching in a pressure cooker.
Archrival Louisville was in town for the annual Battle of the Bluegrass, and it would pit two top-15 teams against one another.
It was in that moment he was told Isaiah Briscoe – the freshman guard who hasn’t shied away from a big moment all season – had turned his ankle during warmups and was unlikely to play.
His reaction – “busting out laughing,” in Coach Cal’s own words – was probably not the one you’d expect.
“I said, ‘Stuff happens,’ ” Calipari said. “And I laughed and said, ‘Next man up. Who is it? Someone is going to get an opportunity now.’ ”
Dominique Hawkins had the same thought, though absent the laughter.
“I was thinking that it’s my shot,” Hawkins said.
Indeed it was Hawkins’ shot.