LEXINGTON, Ky. — On a drizzling afternoon this week, Kentucky Coach John Calipari stood on a practice court and reminded his players that nothing comes easy.

“Do you understand me?” he said. “Are you listening?”

These have been heady times for Kentucky. Ranked No. 1, with a 6-0 record, it has all seemed so easy so far for Calipari’s squad. Especially considering that the Wildcats are led by three highly regarded freshmen — point guard Marquis Teague, power forward Anthony Davis and small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — whose careers have known only success.

Yet, this week, as they prepared to face visiting St. John’s on Thursday night before a showdown with No. 5 North Carolina on Saturday, Calipari made sure his players understood the challenge.

Calipari posed his questions Monday, after Kentucky rose to the top ranking, thanks to a loss by the Tar Heels. What came next was more than two hours of intense practice. The pattern was the same Tuesday.