John Calpari says it is "unacceptable" that UK basketball facilities are not the best of the best. (Photo by Jeff Houchin)
Is Kentucky coach John Calipari putting some pressure on athletics director Mitch Barnhart?
During an appearance on “Sports Talk with Dan Issel & Mike Pratt” on ESPN radio in Louisville Monday, Calipari said UK basketball facilities need upgrades and need them now.
The Kentucky coach said it is “unacceptable” that people — meaning recruits — are not blown away when they see the basketball facilities for what he calls the “gold standard” of college basketball.
That’s when he revealed he was going to meet with Barnhart — something that does not happen often because the two are not exactly best buddies.
However, remember that Rupp Arena has been undergoing massive renovations as part of a $300-million project that will add luxury suites and more. The Joe Craft Center where UK practices had renovations in 2017 to dramatically improve the locker room area. But the majority of the Joe Craft Center is basically like it was when it opened in 2007 and was one of the nation’s best basketball practice facilities.
My guess is that Calipari is not overwhelmed with the Wildcat Coal Lodge where the players all live (and Calipari did mention that players may not all keep living there). It is less than 10 years old but some students living in other facilities on campus have told me they have more amenities in their dorms than the basketball players do.
Many schools would love to have the facilities UK does. But obviously Calipari feels they are not the best of the best and now he’s going to make his plea to Barnhart to find money to solve that problem.
14 Responses
In my opinion, a coaching upgrade is what we need. If I were the A.D., I’d tell Cal to deal with it or resign.
Larry you left out the part about redoing Big Blue Madness. As long as they bring the Campout back it would be great. The campout is for the "regular fans" like myself and the people who can’t afford tickets to games. It was an annual tradition that brought people from all over the state to Lexington. It also showed the players and recruits how special they are to the BBN. Big Blue Madness is for the media and ESPN. Has anyone mentioned the BBM campout? I for one would love to see the Campout return. Every school has a show to start the BB season(it’s why BBM has lost it’s luster) but no school in the country has the Big Blue Madness Campout. Bring it back and show the world that we have the best fans in the world because we take vacation time to campout for 3 or 4 days to get Free tickets to a practice. It is unique to UK and should be returned to it’s full glory. If I am not mistaken UK started the whole Midnight Madness thing(now called Big Blue Madness). There is nothing like the Campout in College sports. Period. Without the Campout it is just another opening night. IMHO
did not leave out. just a lot he talked about
New facilities..I knew there was a read between the lines excuse looming for lackluster seasons.
Yeah all that kind of surprised me too
Maybe they could renegotiate his contract to find some of the dough needed..
Larry, you interpreted "people" to mean recruits, but I interpreted people to mean NBA people. The sentence that followed people was referring to the NBA…..
Calipari said. "when people look at men’s basketball facilities on this campus, they don’t go crazy…..And then when the NBA comes in, I don’t have to hear, ‘Well, there are a lot of facilities better than yours.’ No. This is Kentucky. So that’s part of all this stuff. Staying ahead of the game, keeping us at that level.”
If there was another section where he was talking about impressing recruits, please correct me, but I cringed a little and thought it was a little tone deaf to say he wanted to impress NBA buddies considering how many fans feel about his desire to get kids in the NBA ASAP.
I am with Cal – we should have the best facilities in CBB to help get recruits, but is that part of the reason why we have been down on recruiting?
First, I should ask if you do feel we have been down on recruiting?
And second, where is the money going to come from? Boosters? Are we going to be robbing Peter to pay Paul to fund University upgrades AND fund NIL comtracts?
Well if he is only worried about impressing NBA folks as you think then I have no sympathy for him
Larry, second question: I have always assumed that the "luxuries" of our sports facilities that are above and beyond the average U. Came from boosters.
Is there enough money in Ky to keep the sports program facilities on par AND finance NIL deals?
yes there will always be enough money if those with it can be convinced to spend it
It is good to hear you say that. My concern has been Texas oil, silicone valley, Miami billionaires, and, if Musk has a fav CBB, I would hope it is UK!
We need a new head basketball coach much worse. Don’t waste the money while Cal is here.
Let a new coach come in and decide what is or is not needed.
The art of changing the subject.
He’d fit right in in Washington DC