John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats had another early exit from the NCAA Tournament.
Sixth-seeded Kentucky lost to third-seeded Kansas State on Sunday, 75-69. As a result, Kentucky will go home while the Wildcats will move to the bright lights of New York City for the Sweet 16.
KANSAS STATE IS MOVING ON 🔥
They defeat Kentucky 75-69 to advance to the Sweet 16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hh4eT2LS7K
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
Resentment for this Kentucky team and Coach Cal started early on in the season. The Wildcats didn’t meet their high expectations. Although they played exactly to their seed-line expectations in the NCAA Tournament, it’s not like that will advise anyone to not be irritated now.
Calipari, in particular, came under intense scrutiny after the loss as always.
“For all you folks under 20 that only know Calipari, it hasn’t always been like this,” All Things Kentucky tweeted. Yikes.
For all you folks under 20 that only know Calipari, it hasn’t always been like this
— All Things Kentucky (@BBNWonka) March 19, 2023
“Until Calipari gets shooters besides 1 guy and changes the offense instead of this old archaic stuff Kentucky will always fail in the NCAA TOURNAMENT,” one frustrated fan said.
Until calipari gets shooters besides 1 guy and changes the offense instead of this old archaic stuff Kentucky will always fail in the NCAA TOURNAMENT.
— Jon (@CSCastJ) March 19, 2023
Derek Terry outlined Kentucky’s brutal stretch: “Kansas State, Auburn, COVID, no tournament, Saint Peter’s, and Kansas State again. A terrible stretch of tournament play from Kentucky under John Calipari,” Terry tweeted.
Kansas State, Auburn, COVID, no tournament, Saint Peter’s and Kansas State again. A terrible stretch of tournament play from Kentucky under John Calipari.
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) March 19, 2023
Steve Berkowitz pointed out the drastic difference in contracts, too.
Kentucky men's coach John Calipari's pay from school for this season: $8.5 million.
Kansas State men's coach Jerome Tang's pay from school for this season: $2.1 millon.— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) March 19, 2023
And Kentucky writer Aaron Gershon pointed out at the half that if Kentucky lost the game, “John Calipari deserves lot of blame.”
If Kentucky loses this game John Calipari deserves a lot of blame.
The subs of Oscar and Toppin up 8 when you are rolling.
Not calling timeout to put Oscar back for offense in after the Nowell layup in the final minute.
Playing an Adou, Ware, Collins lineup up 1 after a… https://t.co/DkGqxDtpyH
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) March 19, 2023
Does not sound like it’s going to be a great spring in Lexington for John Calipari.
