John Calipari jokes that Brad was his added motivation to beat Vanderbilt

One of the storylines coming into this game was Calipari vs. Calipari. This was Kentucky’s first game vs. Vanderbilt since Brad Calipari, son of John Calipari and a former Wildcat himself, joined Jerry Stackhouse’s staff as Director of On-Court Player Development. After Kentucky’s 109-77 win in Memorial Gym, John Calipari was asked if Vanderbilt beating the Cats in last season’s SEC Tournament provided any added motivation.

“No. No. My son being on that staff was,” Cal quipped.

Jokes aside, TV cameras captured the real emotions in the handshake line, where Calipari kissed his son on the cheek. Ellen Calipari — who was decked in Kentucky Blue, not Vanderbilt Black and Gold — was in the arena as well.

John Calipari gave Brad a smooch in the handshake line. 😘 pic.twitter.com/OEFt7mTk9O

— KSR (@KSRonX) February 7, 2024

“I’m just proud of him,” Calipari said. “He did it on his own. Jerry (Stackhouse) and I never talked about it. You know, I just said, I’ve got to stay clear. I wish he was on my staff. And I told him all you’re doing is adding value, being positive, being there for those kids. That’s what you do in that position. And he’s done great.”

After the game was over, Calipari said Brad poked his head in Kentucky’s locker room to give him some grief over the Cats’ 32-point win.

“I told him, he came in, looked in [and said], ‘You all made 12 threes in a half.’ I said, ‘I know.’ I mean we played — but how many teams do this and play like this against us, like play out of their minds? So isn’t it nice that we play out of our minds one time?”

Hopefully, the Cats play out of their minds again in Round 2 of Calipari vs. Calipari next month in Lexington.