‘We’re fine’: John Calipari reflects on loss to Tennessee, preparing for start of NCAA Tournament

Kentucky looked flat and underwhelming on Saturday, losing to Tennesse in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

In that game, the Wildcats shot 34% from the field and a miserable 2-for-20 from 3-point range. Some of those misses came on good looks with a number of open misses.

After the game, head coach John Calipari said the loss was a good experience for Kentucky but also said the Wildcats would be just fine. Calipari was also eager to get out of Tampa and get home quickly:

Calipari says today is a good lesson for Kentucky.

“We’re fine, let’s go home.”

— Hunter Shelton (@HunterWS11) March 12, 2022

Calipari not worried. “I said, let’s go home. I’d like to be home by 8:30. I’d like to see my dogs and kiss my dogs.”

Same.

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) March 12, 2022

Asked about the NCAA Tournament, Calipari is anticipating Kentucky to receive a high seed, even with the loss to Tennessee. Calipari predicted a 2- or 3-seed but a tough path to the Final Four for the Wildcats.

Asked how he thinks Kentucky should be seeded, Calipari says probably a 2, maybe a 3, but who knows. “My guess is it will be a hard path.”

— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) March 12, 2022

Hopefully Calipari is right and Kentucky is able to hit the ground running to open March Madness. Unfortunately, Saturday’s performance is not what you want to see for a team gearing up for the NCAA Tournament.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.