UK coach John Calipari used the word "awful" to describe his team's defense going into its first exhibition game. The Cats take on Northwood Thursday night in Rupp Arena at 7pm.

Speaking Wednesday afternoon before practice, Cal said, "We've just got a long way to go. Defensively we're just awful right now. I mean, we don't stay in front of anybody and we've got guys stopping left and right and think 'it's okay or my man, it wasn't my man,' stuff like that."

Calipari expects a good test from Northwood, the No. 1 ranked Division II NAIA team, coached by Rollie Massimino. Massimino coached Villanova to the 1985 NCAA title, upsetting Georgetown in the championship game in Rupp Arena.

Calipari said he's having fun so far but it's a challenge. "I'm tired, I'm beat down, 'cause every moment you're trying to think of ways how you get guys better, what are you doing. I'm having more individual meetings than I've had collectively since I've been the coach here."