son already is looking toward the next one.- College football coa

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Breaking out as an offensive contributor has spurred Kentucky forward Derek Willis to want to have the same impact on the defensive end.Lost in the shuffle for two years behind a parade of future NBA draft picks, the 6-foot-9 Willis earned his way into Kentuckys rotation as a junior and finally showed the talent that coach John Calipari had insisted was always there.Willis is a projected starter as the second-ranked Wildcats open Friday night against Stephen F. Austin with another roster of young talent. The confidence in his shooting during the preseason -- along with a willingness to fight for rebounds -- figures to make him a part of Caliparis developing rotations.I feel like I really know my role, and there are things I still need to work on, said Willis, who averaged career bests of 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 18.6 minutes with 11 starts last season. Once I figure this out, Ill help this team out even more than I have.Willis seems self-assured enough to turn heads in practice with intense play and even offer a suggestion to Calipari.Calipari recalled a moment when Willis reminded him of something he wasnt doing in the zone offense, a point the coach acknowledged before changing the play and thanking him.Last year, he would never have done that, Calipari said. That just shows you hes maturing, that hes able to trust enough that he can give a suggestion and know its not going to be thrown (back) at me.Having established himself as a perimeter threat -- he ranked third on the team with 53 3-pointers on 44 percent shooting -- the Mt. Washington, Kentucky, native appears comfortable inside. Hes going harder at the rim on both ends and contesting shots more along with diving for loose balls.Hes coming in and just fighting for everything, 6-10 redshirt freshman forward Tai Wynyard said.Willis growing confidence has been most evident in the way he has challenged defenders and shooters and given them a hard look after a physical play.Thats how Ive needed to play, Willis said, referring to a summer of studying video of his play. I can stretch the court, but rebounding and just playing defense and making sure my guy doesnt score more than me is important.Willis focus on defense is important as Calipari teaches the finer points of that aspect to on frontcourt newcomers Bam Adebayo and Sacha Killeya-Jones -- both 6-10- and 6-9 Wenyen Gabriel. After lacking a physical post game last season , Calipari has made that a point this season and is depending on veterans such as Willis to set the tone.Wynyard praised the seniors mental preparation, which might be even more critical with a season-opening stretch of three games in five days, including Tuesdays matchup against No. 12 Michigan State in New York City. As Kentuckys freshmen learn to play together and prepare for the first of many marquee non-conference games, they will look to Willis, fellow senior Dominique Hawkins and sophomore guard Isaiah Briscoe for guidance.All have embraced the responsibility with Willis in particular pulling teammates together for huddles. He sees that as a natural role for a veteran, especially since he has personal examples to draw from.Even last year, I could see that role developing for me, Willis said. So now, wherever Im needed, Im talking.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.orgAdidas Antti Raanta Jersey . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Adidas Richard Panik Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. http://www.cheapcoyotesjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-jordan-oesterle-jersey . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Wholesale Coyotes Jerseys . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Adidas Brad Richardson Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open.Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Monday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- After a scramble to finish the regular season, baseballs playoffs are finally on deck. With 10 teams left, here are 10 questions to carry fans through October.- TORONTO -- The Orioles led the majors in homers this season and the Blue Jays were fourth. But pitching, not power, is likely to decide Tuesdays wild-card game between AL East rivals.- SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have a way of thriving in even-numbered years. Well, its 2016 and their postseason chase begins Wednesday in New York against the Mets in the NL wild-card game.- Two managerial moves: Walt Weiss is out as manager of the Rockies after four seasons; Rick Renteria gets a second chance to manage in Chicago -- this time with the White Sox as the successor to Robin Ventura.- The Supreme Court leaves in place rulings that found the NCAAs amateurism rules for big-time college basketball and football violated antitrust law. The suit originally was filed by former UCLA basketball star Ed OBannon and others.- WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court rejects a long-shot appeal from the Washington Redskins challenging a law that bars offensive trademarks. But the justices could still resolve the same issue in another case.- MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings, backed by a dominant defense and one of three unbeaten clubs in the NFL, play a New York Giants team that is 2-1 and led by Eli Manning and Odell Beckhaam Jr.dddddddddddd Game starts 8:30 p.m.- Not since Tim Tebows welcome-to-the-NFL moment six years ago has a quarterback tried to trot into the end zone and taken such a blast. The Panthers Cam Newton didnt protect himself, and he paid the price with a concussion.- FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots begin anew with Tom Brady, who has completed his four-game Deflategate suspension and rejoins a banged-up team that leads the AFC East.- ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Broncos have another quarterback quandary: Go with Trevor Siemian, who 4-0 as a starter, or rookie Paxton Lynch, who was strong in relief of Siemian on Sunday?- CHASKA, Minn. -- His shirt soaked with champagne from a rare American victory in the Ryder Cup, Phil Mickelson already is looking toward the next one.- College football coaches appreciate how Twitter allows them to show their personality to fans and recruits, but theyre also wary. Arkansas Bret Bielema and Notre Dames Brian Kelly understand that all too well.- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- No. 1 Alabama has dismissed overmatched competition and survived SEC West challenger Mississippi. Now comes a much tougher stretch -- No. 16 Arkansas, No. 9 Tennessee, No. 8 Texas A&M.- NHL previews of the 16 teams in the Eastern Conference.- LONDON -- Ex-U.S. national soccer coach Bob Bradley is hired by Swansea, becoming the English Premier Leagues first American manager. ' ' '