John Calipari looked like he was ready to play defense himself against Mount St. Mary's but he's not ready to renew an annual series with Indiana. (Vicky Graff Photo)
After Kentucky’s win over Mount St. Mary’s Tuesday night, I am sure UK coach John Calipari got asked a question he was not expecting. Kentucky and Indiana no longer plan annually but a media member wanted to know if Calipari had talked to new Indiana coach Mike Woodson about renewing the series — something I don’t think Calipari is prone to ever do
“Mike and I are good friends. We’ve talked about stuff, but there’s nothing imminent that I could talk to you about,” the UK coach said.
“I think we’ve got to go to Notre Dame. I think we’ve got to do a Michigan thing. You still got the Big 12. You still got Louisville every year.”
Don’t forget UK also plays in two annual neutral-site events that are college basketball showcases. Calipari is not going to give one of them up to play Indiana.
“Everybody wants those tournaments. The greatest thing about those two neutral games is the four teams that are in it are lucky because the minute anybody would drop out, there would be 50 teams calling and begging to be in those tournaments,” Calipari said.
He called Woodson “a good guy” that he likes a lot.
“From what I understand, they’re doing well, too, and playing good basketball. Let me tell you, he is a hell of a coach, and he is a great guy. I could tell you stories about what makes him a great guy, but he’s doing great,” Calipari said.
Just not great enough that Calipari is ready to play Indiana again.
8 Responses
I think Cal needs to get over it what happen back in 2011-2012 season and get this rivalry back in college basketball that it deserves.
UK should never, ever get over what happened in 2011 in Bloomington!!!!
Just as UK should never, ever get over what Tony Yates’ Cincinnati team did to Joe B. Hall’s team back in the day.
If IU wants to play UK, let them meet in the post season.
I’m with Calipari on this one.
I don’t see Calipari ever playing Indiana in Bloomington
Professor, i haven’t forgot what Bobby Knight did to Joe B Hall at Rupp arena 1974 either, but JOE B HALL gave him a payback later that season in the regional finals and even today Bobby knight says he still get the sting from it.
Indiana is not the Indiana of old. It would benefit Indiana more than KY to renew that game.
UK does not need to play IU just like UK does not need to play Cincinnati.
I agree with The Professor.
I would certainly never schedule another game in Bloomington unless they brought in the National Guard to protect the UK players and fans from the unrurly IU HOOLIGANS (I won’t dignify their behavior by calling them fans).
Don’t worry. No chance Cal goes back