John Calipari faces major backlash as Kentucky suffers 26-point loss at Alabama

John Calipari is facing growing backlash from the vaunted Big Blue Nation at Kentucky following a 26-point loss at Alabama on Saturday, as the Wildcats suffered their 5th loss of the season.

Several of Kentucky’s top players struggled, and Jacob Toppin didn’t finish the game with a reported injury. Oscar Tshiebwe, Cason Wallace and Toppin combined for 9 points. In the 78-52 decision, Kentucky shot 28.8% from the field, 25% from 3 and 62.5% from the line.

While Kentucky struggled, Alabama had just about everything go right, as the Crimson Tide shot 66.7% to start the second half, and at one point was 4-for-4 from 3-point range to build the lead to 29 points on Kentucky.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, this was the program’s biggest loss in series history. The Wildcats’ 52 points tie the fewest scored in a game since John Calipari took over in 2009.

Here’s a sample of the reaction:

I’m eating raw cookie dough pretending this doesn’t exist

— Anna Maria Tarullo (@tarullotweets) January 7, 2023

It goes without saying that Kentucky basketball should never be in this position. Calipari has overseen a tremendous decline. But the AD should have never enshrined this 100% false idea that one man was ever bigger than the program in a contract that takes away your control.

— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 7, 2023

Bottom line…this is on Calipari. This team should be good. And it’s been not only underachieving, it’s been embarrassing against good teams

There is no one else to blame

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 7, 2023

Jimbo Calipari pic.twitter.com/zUbRS0uD6W

— Norman Crow (@NCrow23) January 7, 2023

Jimmy Dykes (who loves UK and Calipari) just said “Even when they score it looks like an accident”

There just isn’t much else to say

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 7, 2023

John Calipari’s fall off is wild. pic.twitter.com/3aHE93H3zM

— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) January 7, 2023

I’m one Kentucky Wildcat fan that is ready for Calipari to become a Ambassador of UK or whatever the administration has planned for him.

— Richard L. Locke (@RichardLLocke1) January 7, 2023

Does Calipari ever take accountability for anything? It’s always about some way the players came up short. That’s absolutely terrible.

— Sean Vinsel (@HoopsInsight) January 7, 2023

Need to add this to Calipari’s reading list. pic.twitter.com/TlGRs1wMA9

— Larosa (@JLarosa024) January 7, 2023

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.