Kentucky assistant coach responds to Paul Finebaum saying it's time for basketball season in Lexington
Kentucky’s game against Ole Miss could not have ended in a more agonizing fashion than it did.
Wildcats kicker Matt Ruffolo missed an extra point in overtime, allowing for the Rebels to score a touchdown and make their extra point on the following possession to win 42-41. The loss dropped Kentucky to 0-2 on the season, and Paul Finebaum took note of the disappointing start.
“For every Kentucky fan who called up to whatever show in Lexington or our show or anybody’s show and said, ‘How come nobody respects Kentucky? How come they’re not ranked high?’ Well, that’s why,” Finebaum said during a radio appearance on WJOX in Birmingham.
The SEC Network host continued on the Wildcats, saying that their game against Ole Miss was an “automatic win,” before dropping the real hammer.
“After Saturday, there’s no more cases to be made for Kentucky. It’s time to start thinking about John Calipari’s basketball team,” Finebaum said.
It didn’t take long for word to make way Mark Stoops’ staff as Kentucky tight end coach Vince Marrow addressed the comments in a tweet.
“Wow @UKFootball you just got called out. I believe in this staff and players so lets do what we do best block out the noise and let’s go to work. This isn’t the first time we had to SHUT people up. Go Big Blue,” the tweet read.
Combined with Stoops chasing down officials after the Ole-Miss loss, Kentucky coaches are not afraid of confrontation.
The Wildcats will have an opportunity to begin to silence their critics Saturday night in Lexington as Kentucky is set to host Mississippi State at 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
For those actually interested in Calipari’s team, the Wildcats are scheduled to tip-off their basketball season against No. 1 Michigan State on Nov. 5.