Reed Sheppard had all 21 of his points in the second half Saturday. He also had five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 28 minutes. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Teams once feared coming into Rupp Arena and Kentucky rarely lost at home. That has changed in recent years and now the unthinkable has happened — UK has lost three straight home games for the first time in 57 years. A team once considered a potential national champion has now lost consecutive home games to Florida, Tennessee, and Gonzaga — along with an earlier game to UNC-Wilmington.
Gonzaga beat UK 89-85 on Saturday. The Zags got off to a fast start, watched UK roar back in the second half behind 21 points from Reed Sheppard to take the lead, and then put the Cats away in the final four minutes.
Kentucky coach John Calipari had pleaded with UK fans earlier this season to create a special atmosphere in Rupp to help his young team.
Even Calipari had to admit after Saturday’s loss that the fans had done their part but his team, now 16-7, has not done its part the last few weeks.
“I want to tell our fans how much I appreciate what they are doing for this team or what they are trying to do,” Calipari said in his postgame press conference. “They are here. They are loud. When we needed them, they stood up. This team needs it.”
“I would just say stick with them. I appreciate the fans and, you know, you walk into this building and it’s packed like it has been for three games. We just normally come out like on fire and we just haven’t.”
No, Kentucky hasn’t. The Cats just cannot get stops defensively or get enough loose balls. They are also being battered on the boards.
“We’ve got to take pride in the little stuff. That’s something we say all the time to each other, we’ve got to take pride in guarding the ball down low,” UK freshman Justin Edwards, who had eight points, five rebounds, and two steals, said. “What hurt us the most was guarding the ball and second-chance points.”
Not guarding the ball and giving up second-chance points are more than just “little stuff.” Those are game-changing factors.
Calipari bailed on his postgame radio show after UK’s beatdown by Tennessee. He didn’t do that this time even though that was more than just a little bittersweet since Saturday was his 65th birthday.
“We’re struggling some to get over the hump. We come back and we’re close to a team and then all of a sudden, we’re just not able to get over the hump so I gotta keep working with them,” Calipari told Tom Leach. “We got to be better in our post defense, and that’s stuff we’ve got to work on.”
Calipari knows BBN is not happy with him or his team. He addressed that with his players before this loss which certainly is only going to add to the pressure on the team that still has road games at Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, and Mississippi State and a home game with SEC-leader Alabama. With seven losses already, Kentucky could dig a hole where making the NCAA Tournament gets dicey.
“You’re going to have some of the negative Nellies out there attacking and that’s fine. I told them (UK players) the other day, I hope they (fans) just attack me. Leave you alone, attack me. I’m the guy here, the grown man in the bunch,” Calipari said.
Don’t worry Coach. The criticism is coming loud and often without you encouraging it but that’s what happens when a team that looked so spectacular a month ago suddenly has become ordinary.
15 Responses
Cal is the failure here.
“We’ve got to take pride in the little stuff. That’s something we say all the time to each other, we’ve got to take pride in guarding the ball down low,”
I don’t know that I have ever learned how to do something by just talking about it. I even hear these remarks from the coaches, "Well we talked about that in the film room."
Do they actually practice those things???
My question, how can you have 10 or 11 possible NBA draft picks and still play this horrible? Top to bottom this team may have more potential than any other team Cal has had and they are still one of the weakest teams he has put together.
The covid year we were 9-16. Calipari didn’t show up for games in his pajamas but it wasn’t far from it. His hair got long and a couple of games he forgot to shave.
9-16 wasn’t as bad as this year because back then the only player he had was Isaiah Jackson.
LV – your description is so, so on the money.
Speaking of $$, I thought after the display that the ZAG fans put on last year – (ear splitting decibels) we would be up for a little revenge.
4 point spread !!?? – show me the money 💰 !
Then again, how many this year Cats were there last year ??? One, plus all the coaches – and I’m starting to use that term loosely.
Just like the markets and the track I only play what I can afford to lose. However, never been able to overcome betting with my heart re UK.
Oh yea, no coverage of JD, Kevin and Jerry – who fought their way to the the Champioship game against John Wooden – in his last ####### game ????
Who you think got EVERY call ‘!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have been a fan for many, many years and never expected to see UK basketball at
the level it is today. To me it started with the 2015 Wisconsin game, to losing 3
consecutive games at Rupp Arena. This should never, never happen.
It should be abundantly clear to all fans that John Calipari does not deserve to
be coaching at The University of Kentucky. He should finally realize this and resign.
He has certainly done some good things for the university and for the people of the
state. And is appreciated for those things. But his time as head coach of the basketball
team should end.
Time for someone else.
My opinion. What’s yours?
I think some think he’s the only 1 for Kentucky.. no matter the talent level he’s coming up short. R.o.r. on this guy is not good.
Pride before the destruction and the fall..
This is the same team that we have watched all season. The only thing that has changed is the strength of the schedule.
This team has been, is now, and will be in a month a 2nd round casualty. That has been my message on these pages since late November.
The reason the play looks worse today than it did a month or more ago is the level of competition has been rising, but contrary to the common belief that Calipari teams get better as the season moves toward February, that does not happen to the vast majority of teams this year, or any year. UK was about the 20th best team in late November, and UK is #23 this week based on adjusted net efficiency.
Teams that rank in the 17-32 range are the types of teams that do not survive the 2nd round.
That is what this and most recent UK teams have been.
If the standard for UK basketball is final four appearances, then this program has fallen from that high pedestal on this man’s watch.
In my opinion, the reason for this decline is Calipari’s decision when he arrived here to move as many young players as possible from high school to the NBA draft (navigate the NBA’s one-year removed rule), and in so doing, the success of the program’s importance fell from the perch to some lower level of priority.
This is the probable consequences of Calipari’s decision, and all subsequent actions.
Will give you credit Professor. You were saying this early in season when no one else was
The fans would be doing there job by not supporting Calapari. If fans continue to pack Rupp arena like always no change will be made. I love the players and this team but be realistic why support a coach who won’t change his style to win. Calapari doing the same thing and losing is like you going to the game supporting him no matter what.. it’s all in the same. If the fans don’t show up Kentucky would have to make a change. But that will never happen and getting rid of calapari will never happen. By attending the game you are agreeing with the way Calapari does what he does.
That might be a starting trend staring with tomorrow home game.
That’s a fact Terry. It’s time to send a message to the University. Non attendance is the only message they will understand. It’s time for the true fans of Kentucky to step up and be counted for…or in this case counted absent.
This team lacks Pride, Leadership, and Coaching!!
I do not like to dump on the kids, this is not criticsm but coaching I do have some of that so lets face it. Cat’s 3 best recruits have not shown up. Starting with Edwards. he seems to have no idea what to do. grab ball shoot. grab ball and drive into trees and lose ball. rebound why .. guard nope . let the guy run around for easy lay up. yet he plays 25 + minutes. Bradshaw.. no idea how to guard m spends most of his time out past the 3 line. Hey Cal show him and the other biggies where yj dunk spot is. Ugo tries his best just needs seasoning Big Z just needs playing time and stay in a defensive position
His stats are nore thab Edwards, Bradshaw and ugo combine in half thier minutes. DUH You wanted biggies you have 3 of them. Play 2 at same time like you did a couple of times n it made a difference DJ tries but a little too much . give me the ball
Coaching. Example Cat;s needed to miss the FT . why didnt he have all 3 7 footers in to maybe have a chance for the Reebie.
teach the biggies not to leave thier an to try n help out a driver and his man is free for layup. Oscar never did learn how to do it
There you have the solution Cal
Call me I’m in the phone book. OOPS NO BOOK ANYMORE
Hey kids go out and play as a team, you have shown you can do it and have fun. life is too short
We luv ya all
The Prez