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Kyle Wiltjer helps Kentucky Wildcats stay loose

Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports
  • As he enters his sophomore year, Kyle Wiltjer is one of Kentucky's most experienced players.
  • Wiltjer scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds in Kentucky's win over Maryland on Friday.
  • Wiltjer is still adjusting to Wildcats' overhauled roster but is close with many of his teammates.
Kentucky Wildcats forward Kyle Wiltjer during the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Barclays Center Classic held at Barclays Center.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — By default, Kyle Wiltjer is Kentucky's veteran player.

The sophomore recently turned 20. But when you play for John Calipari and you're not a freshman … well, you're old.

Wiltjer has the experience to back up his veteran status. He has a year's worth as a role player on a national championship team. Though he averaged five points and didn't start a game, Wiltjer is the only Wildcat returning who played more than three minutes a game. (Witljer averaged 11.6 minutes.)

Wiltjer knows his role must change this season, and he'll be expected to contribute more on and off the court. The 6-foot-10, 239-pound forward is looking forward to the season getting started as this Wildcats team sets its own goals and creates its own identity. USA TODAY Sports' Nicole Auerbach caught up with Wiltjer.

On my iPod

I like to listen to a lot of stuff, a lot of rap and hip-hop. I listen to Rick Ross and a guy from back West, Nipsey Hussle; he does remixes to popular songs. J Cole. Just a variety of stuff.

Xbox or Playstation?

I'm not a big gamer. I have an Xbox, but I honestly don't remember the last time I played it. I'm just kind of the guy who likes to hang out with friends instead of playing in front of a screen. … I'm a big movie guy, so I like watching movies on Netflix. I've never been into gaming.

DVDs I can't live without …

My box set of "Fresh Prince." I've got all the seasons. I've probably seen every episode four or five times. I still laugh at them. … I don't know why, but it's so funny to me. … It was always on late at night. My aunt got me a season, and I thought it was hilarious. They're always funny. You know what's going to happen, but it's still funny.

Besides Rupp Arena, my favorite place to play is …

It's not a college arena, but last year's Final Four (at the Superdome) because the amount of people was pretty unbelievable. I've never seen that many people watch me play basketball. It was unreal, winning it all and seeing all the support there.

If I could change one rule about the game, I'd …

Put the hoop higher. A lot of people just rely on their athleticism. I'd like to see who can score being skilled.

A current player I admire is …

Kevin Love in the NBA. He's from my area, so he's been there. And he's really successful.

A former player I admire is …

My dad. He's my mentor. He played professionally, and I've always wanted to do that someday. I talk to him a lot. … He'd be here every game if he could; it's just so expensive coming from the West Coast. (Wiltjer is from Portland, Ore.). He made it to the Final Four, which was great for him to be able to see that.

Five up, five down

1. What's it like having, essentially, a brand new team this year?

It was definitely weird coming back in the summer and having most of the guys I'm used to seeing not there. It was great because this young group that came together were kind of already really good friends. It's surprising how quickly we've become friends on and off the court.

2. Even though you are a sophomore, do you consider yourself a veteran?

I'm kind of instinctively taking on that role because I've already been through it. They come in and ask little questions like where to go and stuff like that. We just try to show them around, and I'm willing to do whatever role our team needs to be successful.

3. What have you been doing to improve your game heading into this season?

I've done a lot of work on my body. Physically, getting quicker and stronger. I've also honed down on my post game a lot. It'll be another weapon I can use this year. That, along with my shooting, will be great for our team this year because we'll be tougher to defend if I can do multiple things.

4. John Calipari got his first NCAA title last season. Have you noticed any changes in him since winning that?

He's the same guy. He's very competitive, so he just wants to win. He stays honest, and that's what gets the most out of us. I love playing for him because he pushes you so much. He's the same guy, and I think that's what makes him so good. Year in, year out, whatever team he has, he takes the same approach. He does a great job of just staying in the moment, worried about getting better and not worrying about things down the road. This is a whole new team. We have our own goals and our own identity. He takes the same approach, but he definitely does make a lot of adjustments about how we're going to play.

5. Does this team feel pressure to defend last year's championship — even though it's a whole new roster?

We're not necessarily defending last year's title. We just want to look ahead to our own team. We want to make our own goals. Our goal is definitely to win the whole thing.

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