John Calipari praised Nerlens Noel’s defensive energy after a 101-49 win over Lafayette on Friday night, pointing out the 6-foot-10, 228-pound center’s willingness to dive across the floor for loose balls.

"The energy that Nerlens plays with," said Calipari after the game, "think if I could get all my guys to play with that kind of energy, what we would become as a team."

Noel scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds, handed out four assists and recorded four steals in 28 minutes of play.

"I've always been a relatively high-energy (guy)," Noel said. "But since I'm at a high level, I think I've just got to bring it every night, that energy. Just always being active for my team, making opportunities for the fast break, get steals on the floor, throwing it out so my teammates can get going."

Noel unofficially leads the Wildcats in floor burns through three games of the season.

"I've always been on the floor," Noel said. "It's the only way you're going to get that ball."