Things did not go well for Kentucky’s men’s basketball team in Saturday night’s home game against Tennessee. The No. 10 ranked Wildcats had few answers for the No. 5 Volunteers and despite a solid offensive effort, Kentucky lost 103-92.
And from all appearances, coach John Calipari didn’t really want to talk about the loss.
When the time came for Calipari’s postgame radio spot, the coach was not there. At least, not the head coach. Orlando Antigua, one of Calipari’s longtime assistants, handled the interview.
https://twitter.com/DanielHagerKSR/status/1753998013364568120
Orlando Antigua doing postgame radio. Oh.
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) February 4, 2024
Skipping out on a postgame radio spot after a bad loss is a bad look for any coach, particularly the highest-paid college basketball coach in the country. But for anyone unaware, Calpari’s radio spots aren’t just for fans listening to the postgame on the drive home or from the comfort of their living rooms. This is also something that fans at Rupp Arena stick around to hear — in big numbers. A good example of this came two years ago, coincidentally after Kentucky beat Tennessee.
“He took over for Rupp, who would want to do that!”
Calipari to the fans on the postgame radio show, reflecting on the legacy of legendary coach Joe B. Hall. @FOX56News #BBN pic.twitter.com/jMlpXkVBXA
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) January 15, 2022
Of course, the mood of the fans will generally be good after a win. After a loss, it’s a different story. After a loss where the team allows more than 100 points at home to a conference rival, there will likely be more frustration than normal.
So, as one might expect, Calipari’s no-showing after Saturday night’s loss didn’t go over particularly well.
A faint “Where’s Cal?” heard over the radio while Antigua speaks.
— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) February 4, 2024
This is one of the things fans really notice and get agitated by. Can't pass off basic duties after you get a hundred hung on you at home. https://t.co/BRNS1chfNO
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 4, 2024
Calipari has called on fans multiple times this season to bring the energy at Rupp to create a better environment — and they have delivered. And now, after a very upsetting loss when fans are waiting to hear from him, he skips postgame radio. Frustrating. https://t.co/HGoYVyYKl9
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) February 4, 2024
It’s agitating when your head coach that gets paid $10 million per year sends an assistant out for the post game interview. Happens too often after a poor performance. https://t.co/yXQhzAzdyn
— Joe Myers (@joemyers92) February 4, 2024
Don’t duck it. Gotta come out and own it. https://t.co/9ibyuG5ZHP
— Vinny Hardy (@VinnyHardy) February 4, 2024
It’s really lame not to do the Postgame Radio interview after this loss. It just is
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 4, 2024
[Daniel Hager on Twitter/X, Drew Franklin on Twitter/X]
