John Calipari jokes about banning players from social media, teaching them to deal with it
Kentucky got a 74-71 win over LSU but head coach John Calipari did not want his team to get too high or too low. Basically, that’s the message he sent to his team regarding the players’ social media use.
Calipari was asked after the game if he would consider banning his players from social media due to the distraction and negativity surrounding the many apps such as Twitter and Instagram. The Wildcats coach did not quite go that far, but joked about doing it at least.
However, Calipari opened up how he wanted his players to deal with social media use in this day and age.
“No, because they gotta learn to live with it,” Calipari said. “And if you’re going to, here’s what I’m always saying, the good stuff is poison. It’s poison, don’t read it. You’re never quite as good as it seems, and it’s never quite as bad as it seems. The bad stuff creates anxiety. So why would you read it? Why would you look at it, but it’s hard. These kids are on their phones all the time. And if they’re reading it, then you better deal with it.
“And if it’s affecting you in a negative way, you’re not very smart. You know, it’s the thing with shock, you don’t know if there are fans, and they may be Kentucky fans but not basketball fans, you don’t know. Who are they? So now the other schools start piling on, and throwing stuff and this and that and they’re not even our fans.”
The head coach doubled down on the dealing with it method when it came to social media.
“And I’d say this, you try to tell them that’s a minority in most cases,” Calipari said. “But, you know, like I said, it’s the tax you pay when you coach in play here. As part of the tax hits, we’ve got engaged raging fans, and when you win: ‘woo.’ And when you lose: ‘oof.’ They’re engaged. So deal with it.”
Whatever message Calipari got across to his team worked considering the team’s win over LSU. Despite being outscored by a point in the second half, the Wildcats eked out an SEC victory.
Jacob Toppin led the way with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists while Oscar Tshiebwe added 19 points, 16 rebounds and one assist.
Kentucky is back in action Saturday on the road against No. 7 Alabama.