John Calipari predicted Kentucky freshman Justin Edwards' breakout game

Moving up from level to level doesn't always go smoothly, even for a five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American like Kentucky freshman Justin Edwards.

Case in point? Edwards, a 6-foot-8 guard from Philadelphia, had only averaged 8.1 points per game for the Wildcats heading into this past weekend's top-25 matchup with Alabama.

Edwards is averaging just 8.9 points per game coming out of Kentucky's massive 117-95 win over the Crimson Tide, but that certainly doesn't tell the whole story of what he did on Saturday.

Edwards put up 28 points while going a perfect 10-of-10 from the field (including 4-of-4 from three-point range). He also added five rebounds, two assists and two steals to what can certainly be called his "breakout" game, but his production against Alabama was far from a surprise for Kentucky head coach John Calipari.

“I kept saying, 'You're going to break through, I believe in you,'" Calipari said of what his message had been to the five-star freshman (h/t On3). "He said 'Coach, I believe in you' ' and I said you just got to stay the course. He has lived in the gym."

Edwards was so impressive against Alabama that Calipari actually felt the need to take him out of the game at one point to apparently save him from himself.

"I took him out because he reverted back and he was going to spin and move and throw the ball. I took him out because I said,' 'You’re playing a perfect game. I’m not going to let you screw it up.'"

While some may take that wrong, it was clearly a sign of respect from Calipari. It also goes to show you just how important confidence is at the college level. Coach Cal knew that he had to help Edwards maintain his "heater" and that's exactly what he was able to do against Alabama.