What John Calipari said after Kentucky’s narrow loss to Tennessee in SEC Tournament
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The Kentucky Wildcats took a sizable second half lead against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, but the Vols came storming back.
By the end, the Vols held an 82-78 advantage and moved on to Sunday’s tournament final against Auburn.
However, the Wildcats still have a lot to play for, as the NCAA Tournament starts next week and they will likely be a No. 2 seed.
After the game, coach John Calipari acknowledged that the Wildcats have bigger goals in mind, but also took time to credit the Vols for winning. Here’s what he had to say after the contest was over:
On missing late chances:
Calipari: "We had our chances. We had a lead late and these guys will tell you, we don’t usually give up those kind of games. A couple of things go against you (pause, smirk) and, you know, they took advantage, which they have all year."
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) March 16, 2019
On Tennessee’s experience:
Cal: "Hats off to Tennessee. Hard fought game." Said UK doesn't usually give up those kinds of games, even though they're young. "A couple of things go against you, and they took advantage which they've done all year, and they win the game."
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) March 16, 2019
Calipari on Kentucky-Tennessee: “Six games in two years. And they’re all wars. I don’t know why I recommended that Rick take this job.”
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 16, 2019
On free-throw disparity:
Calipari breaks a smile when someone asks about the free throw, and then has to suppress a giggle to say he doesn’t know what happened. “I’ll have to watch the tape.”
— Chase Campbell (@ChaseC_TV) March 16, 2019
On NCAA Tournament seeding and whether Kentucky should be a No. 1 seed:
Calipari on if Kentucky deserves a one-seed: “I don’t know. There’s a bunch of teams that can say it. I say we’re pretty good…But if you’re telling me we’re the number one two-seed, we should play the lowest of the one-seeds."
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) March 16, 2019
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
