Even with the distraction of a phone call from the President of the United States, the Wildcats came out of today's shootaround with good focus and a knowledge of the job at hand. Namely, keeping Soucth Carolina's stellar guard Devan Downey in check tonight.

With a guy averaging over 30 points a game in conference contests, that is a tall task. But heght is exactly what Coach Calipari is counting on to alter, bother and generally harrass the in-the-gym range of Downey.

Playing its first game with the No. 1 ranking attached to the scorecard, UK will need to guard against a let-down and/or over-confidence. But Coach Calipari plans on keeping the team grounded and is also asking for the bench to step up like it did on Saturday againtst Arkansas.

With Wendesday being an off-day - following Tuesday night's loss at South Carolina - Coach Calipari was able to solicit advice from a wide range of friends and acquaintances.

Perhaps the most unique view came from legendary comedian - and friend from Coach Cal's UMass days - Bill Cosby.

"Why make lay-ups look hard?" asked "The Cos" during his 15-minute phone conversation with Coach on Wednesday. "Act like you've been there before."

In other words, Cliff Huxtable wants Cal's crew to get back to basics.

His thoughts added a layer to what Texas coach Rick Barnes had discussed with Coach Cal earlier on Wednesday when he told Coach that being at the top meant being "under attack."

"We saw it," Coach said during a Wendesday night call into his weekly radio show. "It was like more than we could believe. We weren't ready for that. You're under attack, and you've got to step it up.

"The reason this job and this coaching profession isn't for everybody is because of times like this when you take it on the chin," he said.

Even before those two trusted confidants of Coach Cal had chimed in, the Coach had reached out early in the morning to famed sports psychologist, Bob Rotella.

The Coach also was able to watch Tuesday night's game tape in its entirety. What he saw, he said, was a team that was tentative. 

"We got out-hustled, out-played and out-coached," said Coach Calipari. "If we let this catapult us, the way [our first loss of 2007-08 at Memphis when we were No. 1] did, then we will be okay."

• The team returns to practice today and will have a film session, a "skull session" - to get their heads straight, and an intense practice.

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