Kentucky players and coaches took exception to the Wildcats not being ranked as high as they thought they should in the preseason. But after an 0-2 start, the criticism has come from the likes of Paul Finebaum, the SEC Network host and college football analyst, who made a reference to basketball season coming.

Finebaum made the comments this week on his regular appearance on “The Roundtable” on WJOX-FM in Birmingham, Alabama.

“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.

“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.

Coach Mark Stoops responded to those comments, and added that it’s the players’ and coaches’ own fault.

“When you’re down people are gonna kick ya and when you’re not they’re gonna ask you to be on your show,” Stoops said. “That’s our fault for giving Paul the opportunity to talk about that…. “It is what it is. People are gonna kick you when you’re down, ask you to be on your show when you’re not.”

The Wildcats get a chance to change the narrative this week against Mississippi State.