Kentucky lost five first round NBA picks last season, but have proved doubters wrong with an 11-2 record behind three excellent freshmen.

"I want people to watch my players and say, 'I can't believe that young man is playing that way,' " John Calipari told reporters on the Southeastern Conference teleconference Monday. " 'I didn't know he had that in him. I didn't know he could that.' "

Guard Brandon Knight (18 points per game), forward Terrence Jones (17.6) and guard Doron Lamb (14) are Kentucky's top three scorers. All three players are freshmen.

"It takes time for all those guys," he said. "I can remember Derrick Rose, we go to New York and Dick Vitale is saying, 'He's out of control. He's not a point guard. ' … And I can remember Tyreke (Evans) down in Puerto Rico having like seven charges and people coming up saying, 'Oh my gosh.' And even Clark Kellogg, who had us at Georgetown saying, 'I'm not so sure.' "

"But when they get it, when they feel it," he added, "then all of a sudden it changes everything for our team and that's happening with Brandon right now."