University of Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari garnered some negative attention amidst an 89-75 loss on Wednesday.
The University of Kentucky suffered a tough 89-75 loss on Wednesday against Missouri with some clear issues in their offense, and Dan Wolken of USA Today didn’t hold back in his thoughts on coach John Calipari or the team.
I'm sure Cal getting absolutely pantsed by a first-year coach is something Big Blue Nation is going to take in stride.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 29, 2022
I've watched about 10 minutes of Missouri-Kentucky, and I see one team running a modern offense and one team running whatever the hell it is Kentucky is doing.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 29, 2022
Their performance was certainly disappointing, especially in the first half, as they went 2-for-12 while shooting 40 percent from the field. Wolken wasn’t the only one disappointed in the team. There were quite a few fans who shared their thoughts online during the game.
It was a tough time for Kentucky fans.
Best reactions to Kentucky’s distasteful performance against Missouri
It’d be all too easy for fans to permanently lose hope, but luckily that’s not the case for most of the fanbase.
One college basketball fan Tweeted a humorous Gif from The Simpsons, showing a group marching with torches, comparing it to fans.
#Kentucky basketball fans this morning. pic.twitter.com/oXCCjPO5NR
— 𝕁𝕠𝕟𝕠 📍 (@jono_pollard) December 29, 2022
Unfortunately, some of the fanbase has (rightfully) lost hope for the team after such a tough game to watch.
I’ve been a fan of Kentucky basketball since Jamal Mashburn days. Last night was the lowest I’ve been as a fan since we lost to Gardner Webb. I have no idea how I’ll get back to loving Kentucky basketball again. It’s there, it’s just broken. I’m tired as a fan. I’m tired.
— Jon (@JonSpor11) December 29, 2022
One fan acknowledged the pain that Kentucky has caused.
Being a fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Tennessee Titans, and Kentucky basketball is the holy trinity of sports fandom suck
— Derik Hunt (@derikhunt915) December 29, 2022
To put into perspective to just how bad the team is doing, one brought up the record against ranked teams.
What happened to Kentucky basketball? January is in two days and they don’t have a single win against a ranked team.
— Rocking Chair Sports (@rocker_sports) December 29, 2022
Another referenced an iconic scene from an Adam Sandler movie, which was rather fitting for Kentucky fans.
Kentucky basketball fans right now: pic.twitter.com/nFUZavG60K
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) December 29, 2022
Frustration with Calipari also runs deep among the fans.
Cal needs to figure it out. Kentucky basketball is canceled. UK is officially a football school until further notice
— Knox Hitt (@KnoxHitt) December 29, 2022
It’s certainly a frustrating time to be a Wildcats fan.
Will John Calipari miss the NCAA Tournament?
Kentucky will enter January with zero Quadrant 1 wins, which is an unthinkable statistic given their schedule. The Cats are 8-4 on the season, with those losses coming at the hands of Missouri, UCLA, Gonzaga and Michigan State.
UK entered the season No. 1 in the KenPom rankings. They dropped out of the top-25 and to 40th in NET on Thursday.
The Wildcats were down 21 at halftime to a Missouri team which had just 12 wins last season. To say they’re on the tournament bubble is kind, and the SEC season will prove ever so vital to Coach Cal as he tries to sure up his team’s resume. Calipari entered the season under a litany of pressure after UK lost to Saint Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament last year.