Growing pains can be painful. Just ask Kentucky coach John Calipari.

Although Calipari has an unblemished record through his first four games as coach of the Wildcats, the team’s early mistakes have been a learning experience for both the players and the coach.

The three-point defense was horrid against Miami of Ohio and Sam Houston State before the team fared better in a win over Rider last weekend at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats held the Broncs to just four field goals from long range and played with passion.

“If there is a sense of urgency defensively, you are not going to give up shots,” he said. “You’re going to come out and play. This is hard with all these young players.”

Calipari hopes his team can build on the defensive improvement when during the team’s first road trip of the year. The Wildcats are in Cancun, Mexico and will be taking on Cleveland State at 4:30 p.m. today.

Kentucky will conclude play in the event on Wednesday.

Following his team’s last outing against Rider, Calipari pointed out that he’s still adjusting to his team and teaching good habits as the season progresses.

“We have had to teach them (the players) not to talk to officials, because that is my job,” he said. “Another lesson we (have) taught was if you are not playing well, that is OK. You cannot be down on yourself and let down your team.”

Calipari has also made adjustments to his coaching style and has “changed some of the things I have done historically because this is a different team.”

One of the things Calipari did in Kentucky’s last outing was insert Patrick Patterson, Daniel Orton and DeMarcus Cousins into the lineup at the same time. Although an untraditional trait for Calipari, he liked the idea of playing the three big men at once.

“Now, we know we can do that,” the Kentucky coach said. “I am going to play those boys together, because Daniel and DeMarcus deserve minutes and Patrick has to play. There is only one way to make that happen and that is to play them together and I am fine with that.”

Calipari said the inside trio give the Cats options underneath.

“They are starting to find each other now,” Calipari said.

That’s a good thing for the Cats. It’s also a good thing to see guards John Wall and Eric Bledsoe feed off each other. Like Orton and Cousins, Bledsoe and Wall are learning to co-exist together and finding the open man.

“I saw that (against Rider),” Calipari said. “We talked about it and said to find your man early and keep your head up,” he said. “John is 18 years-old. I have a whole team of 18-year-olds. It is a learning process for us all.”