Anonymous coaches weigh in on John Calipari, Kentucky's issues
Kentucky’s disappointing start to the season has been a hot topic both locally and nationally following the 89-75 loss to Missouri on Wednesday. This morning, Dana O’Neil has a piece up at The Athletic in which she compares John Calipari to Jimbo Fisher in that he’s great at bringing in talent, but sometimes it’s all for naught because of his offensive style — or lack thereof. To prove her point, O’Neil shares comments from six coaches that have or will face Kentucky this season. In exchange for anonymity, the coaches give their honest takes on Cal, and it’s not very pretty.
To read them all, you’ll need a subscription to The Athletic. Here are just a few.
Since Kentucky’s title only one national-championship team — 2013 Louisville — has shot worse than 36 percent from the arc. In that same span, Kentucky has shot better than 36 percent just twice, this year and in 2016. “Their offense is archaic,’’ says one coach. “It’s gotta be the same s— he was running with the New Jersey Nets.” Predictable is how another coach describes it, so much so that his team spent little time worrying about sets and simply concentrated on player tendencies. “Yeah, he’s been running the same stuff for years,’’ adds another. “When you have stud players, though, it works. When you’re running floppy action for Tyler Herro, that’s a bucket. It’s a little different if it’s not him.’’
A lot of the comments are about the offense, but this one at the end about Kentucky’s changing reputation hits the hardest.
While they missed the NCAA Tournament in 2021, six other SEC teams earned a bid. Along with that, some of the mystique has faded. No doubt they still walk into frenzied road atmospheres — evidenced at Missouri three days after Christmas — but the air of invincibility and inevitability that usually came with the sight of a Kentucky uniform is fading. “People don’t fear them,’’ one coach says. “I think they play hard for the most part. I do. But I also think Cal is trying to figure it out himself. Can he? Absolutely. Will he? That’s a different question.’’
Other National Takes on Calipari, Kentucky
On the Field of 68 podcast, former UMass head coach Matt McCall shared his opinions on Kentucky after watching the Missouri game. Spacing and shot selection are a big focus.
McCall also said that as of now, he doesn’t think the Cats are an NCAA Tournament team.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard