In what’s becoming a trend of late, John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after just one game to a much lower-seeded team.
While the 2022 NCAA Tournament saw two-seed Kentucky fall to the 15-seed Saint Peter’s Peacocks in the first round, Thursday night it was the 13-seed Oakland Golden Grizzlies knocking off the 4-seed Wildcats, 80-76.
Down goes Kentucky. No. 14 Oakland takes down the No. 3 Wildcats 80-76.pic.twitter.com/Zbr4npwn0e
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 22, 2024
As is generally the case, attention immediately turned to Calipari’s coaching, with multiple trending topics bearing his name on X in the late stages of the loss.
Becoming quite a March tradition. pic.twitter.com/arsvhElssd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 22, 2024
Calipari’s future at Kentucky feels murky at this point. It would be unlikely to see him fired, but he could opt to retire, or resign, or the sides could mutually part ways as it seems clear that things are no longer working. With the recent abrupt retirements of other legendary coaches in college sports like Jay Wright and Nick Saban, nothing is a surprise anymore.
After the game, Calipari praised his team and expressed how bad he felt for them, but added that they made too many mistakes and Oakland capitalized.
John Calipari on the Kentucky loss to Oakland:
"This one is painful. The reason is, there are other times you lose a game and you know your team is what it is. But this team I really felt was built for this moment. Even though we were young. I knew that could catch us." pic.twitter.com/7jVP7AV2mZ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 22, 2024
The Golden Grizzlies hit 15 three-pointers in the game, ten of which came from guard Jack Gohlke, who attempted 335 field goals this season with 327 coming from long-range.
Fans on social media weren’t exactly sad to see Calipari and the Wildcats fall short again.
Big month for UK disappearing acts. pic.twitter.com/DH2z1DziUb
— Jessica Benson (@jessbensontv) March 22, 2024
https://twitter.com/kicknyrgios/status/1770994801296437359
THE UK MESSAGE BOARD CRASHED LMAO pic.twitter.com/PdBItgokAA
— Nelson Earley (@alwaysearley01) March 22, 2024
I don't care what it costs. I don't care who they replace him with. The state budget hasn't passed yet. Appropriate the money.
— Tres Watson (@treswatson) March 22, 2024
