Sports

Kentucky Basketball’s Hypocrisy Leads To Egg On Face As John Calipari’s Return Looms

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The Kentucky Wildcats mascot reacts during a basketball game vs. Vanderbilt.

© Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images


The Kentucky basketball team fell to Vanderbilt 74-69 on Saturday suffering its second straight SEC loss. A Lexington radio personality suggested a wrench in the pregame routine led to the poor performance.

Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio posted a message on X suggesting the Commodores refused to allow the Wildcats a shootaround opportunity. It was a bit ironic given the source.

UK radio broadcast says Vanderbilt didn’t allow Kentucky to hold a shootaround at the arena before today’s game.

–Jack Pilgrim on X

After seeing some blowback on the initial insinuation, Pilgrim reached out for confirmation. He clarified the situation shortly thereafter.

Received clarification on this:

Vanderbilt changed the time of its shootaround to the middle of Kentucky’s scheduled time, notified UK last night. Told they could do theirs either before or after.

It was Kentucky’s decision to not host one following the change on late notice.

-Jack Pilgrim on X

Pilgrim says the Wildcats opted not to run through a typical shootaround after having their schedule altered ahead of tipoff. Kentucky would go onto score 69 points after averaging more than 94 points in its three basketball games prior.

Was the pregame routine change to blame? Maybe. Maybe not. The Wildcats looked silly complaining, however, due to their recent trolling of John Calipari.

After a loss to top-ranked Tennessee earlier in the season, the Arkansas head coach was heard blaming his team’s poor shooting on the absence of a shootaround. Kentucky later posted a video mocking its former leader before a matchup with Georgia.

Weeks ago, the Wildcats ridiculed Calipari for suggesting that the lack of a shootaround affected his players. Now, Kentucky is swiping that same excuse after a loss to Vanderbilt.

Calipari left Lexington this past offseason after 15 years at the helm. His relationship with the fanbase soured following a string of early NCAA Tournament exits. Despite the departure, he continues to live rent free in the minds of Big Blue Nation. He’ll be sure to hear some boo birds when he returns to Rupp Arena on Saturday.