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This was not how John Calipari envisioned returning to Rupp Arena. He planned to bring a great squad, or at least a successful team, to Kentucky for their first game against his previous school. Instead, he leads an Arkansas team that is 1-6 in the Southeastern Conference. Many of the 20,000 Kentucky fans who will throng Rupp Arena will be happy to hear of the Razorbacks’ difficulties. It’s no secret that when Calipari departed Lexington to take over the Arkansas school, a sizable portion of Big Blue Nation felt relieved and happy.
The question is, how will the Kentucky faithful meet their former coach? Will there be a deafening chorus of boos and displeasure since he hasn’t led the Wildcats to the Final Four since 2015? Don’t forget that Coach Cal and the Wildcats had won four Final Fours in five seasons. That is what should be remembered, as well as the 2012 national title he won by guiding a terrific Kentucky team led by sensational freshman Anthony Davis to the summit of college basketball. That is a feat that his team, coach, and the entire Big Blue Nation will remember and appreciate.
That’s why Calipari deserves a standing ovation when his name is shouted during the starting lineup introductions immediately before tipoff on Saturday night at Rupp Arena. Fans should recall the good times and express gratitude. Disappointments, such as falling as a high seed to huge underdogs in the NCAA Tournament, are history. It’s a life lesson: focus on the positive and be kind.
“There will be some emotion walking into that building, and really being in town,” Calipari said Saturday after Arkansas’ 65-62 home loss to Oklahoma. “Probably get together with some of my friends.” After watching how some of Kentucky’s fanatics have bashed their old coach on social media for months, I’d say it’s a 50-50 chance that Cal will be greeted warmly or with venom. There should be nothing but applause, maybe some cheering, and ideally homemade placards expressing thanks for the good old days.
By all accounts, it was time to split ways when Calipari switched his collection of blue sports jackets for various shades of red. Everyone agreed that it was a victory for both Arkansas and Kentucky. Mark Pope, a former Wildcat player, was promptly appointed as Kentucky’s coach after leaving BYU. Despite a 3-3 SEC record and two consecutive losses, he is on honeymoon with the fans.
“They’re playing good,” Calipari remarked of Kentucky. “We have our hands full. Lets see what happens. They are a good team. Mark is doing a wonderful job with them.” No. 9 Kentucky has lost its past two Saturdays, 102-97 at home to No. 4 Alabama and 74-69 at Vanderbilt. On Tuesday, the Wildcats will meet an aggressive group of Tennessee Volunteers on the road. The No. 6 Vols dropped a heartbreaker to No. 1 Auburn on Saturday after led by two with 92 seconds left until a poor call gave up a home win.
Kentucky fans are encouraging Pope to be patient. The Wildcats have some injuries, but let him get his team together and the program will be better than ever. Arkansas supporters, disheartened after a 0-5 start in the league, are losing patience, and some, especially the media, are already turning on Calipari. Oh, the Hogs have also suffered a few injuries.
To both fan bases, remember that he is a Hall of Fame coach. Don’t forget, he won the national title. Don’t forget, he’s made a dozen Elite Eights and six Final Fours in his career. Coach Cal led Kentucky to seven Elite Eights and four Final Fours during his 15-year tenure. His winning percentage at Kentucky was.769, with 410 victories and 123 defeats.
But for Big Blue Nation, it became a question of, “What have you done for me lately?” Arkansas supporters overwhelmingly believe he has done nothing for them. However, he won six SEC regular-season championships at Kentucky and six SEC tournament titles. He won 32 NCAA Tournament games, had 35 NBA first-round draft picks, and 23 lottery selections. Big Blue fans should keep all of this in mind when Coach Cal is presented at Rupp Arena. Arkansas fans should review his background and be patient, even if this is a lost season.
Calipari will continue to do what he has always done: coach his team, work hard every day, and attempt to win the next one. Against Oklahoma, his Razorbacks trailed by one point with 12 seconds left but failed to take a decent shot despite a well-planned backdoor play. “We’ve just got to keep going,” Calipari remarked. “Continue battling. Keep figuring it out.” That’s what coaches do, whether the season goes as planned or not. But the man is giving it his all, just as he did for 15 mostly successful years at Kentucky.
So, Big Blue Nation, rise together and give Coach Cal one more salute and applause. After all, he is one of only five coaches who have led Kentucky to a national championship. And based on his track record, he may also receive one from Arkansas.
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