Matt Jones reports 'sense of nervousness' around Kentucky program regarding John Calipari's future
Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio took to social media Saturday to share what he has heard surrounding Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari following Thursday’s Round of 64 loss to 14-seed Oakland.
Calipari spoke at length following the loss about the Wildcats program and whether or not he’d consider changing his coaching philosophy. He insisted that he wants his teams to be tougher and didn’t say “no” to the prospect of bringing on more players from the transfer portal.
However, he was also adamant about what it means to him and his program to be able to affect the lives of young people (freshmen) in the way he has been doing across his career at Kentucky. That’s all well and good, but the writing is on the wall: It’s tough, tough, tough to win in March without at least a healthy mix of veteran talent in today’s game.
Back to Jones, who reported on X Saturday morning that there is a real “sense of nervousness” within the Kentucky program because of uncertainty surrounding AD Mitch Barnhart’s intentions. Jones’ sense is that the money for Calipari’s $33 Million buyout would be there if Barnhart decided a change is necessary, and that the decision is entirely in his hands.
Here’s Jones’ post:
Here is where the UK Basketball situation stands right now:
The decision is all in Barnhart’s hands. I get the sense that if he decides he wants to move on, the money will be there for reasons @Andy_Staples described in his video yesterday.
There is a sense of nervousness with…
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 23, 2024
Several Kentucky sports betting enthusiasts would bet on Calipari heading out the door after the Wildcats have fell further and further into a hole in the month of March. Kentucky has now lost in the first round in embarrassing fashion in 2 of the last 3 years. In 2021, the Wildcats missed out on the tournament entirely.
The fact of the matter is this: There was too much talent on Kentucky’s roster this season to go out the way they did. Sure, Oakland guard Jack Gohlke had the performance of a lifetime Thursday in Pittsburgh, but the Wildcats were also out-rebounded and turned the ball over 11 times with little help from their top producers outside of Antonio Reeves.
Reeves, Kentucky’s top veteran presence, had a strong game on Thursday, dropping 27 points. Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham and DJ Wagner did not. Justin Edwards probably had the best outing of any Kentucky freshman, but even he was a little lost in the lights at times against the Golden Grizzlies.
So, will a change be made? According to Jones, expect a decision in the coming days.