Kentucky coach John Calipari reacts as he is called for a technical foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Columbia, S.C. Calipari was ejected in the second half as South Carolina defeated Kentucky 72-67.Kentucky began this college basketball season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll.
Now the Wildcats find themselves clinging to relevancy with a No. 25 ranking following consecutive losses to Arkansas and South Carolina. The latter entered Saturday night’s game tied for last in the Southeastern Conference.
“I don’t know if it was my arrogance or the team’s arrogance,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said Monday, “but at the end of the day, whatever is going on with this team comes back to me. A month ago, I said it looks like I have to coach this team like I’m 35 again to get them to play harder and focus more and execute more. I will be whoever I have to be, because this isn’t about me. It’s about this team.
“I’ve got to get them more confident and find out what they need me to be. A cheerleader? What do they need me to be at this point?”
Calipari’s comments on the SEC’s weekly teleconference were his first to the media since getting ejected Saturday night. The Wildcats and their slew of touted freshmen are 21-8 overall and 11-5 in league play entering tonight’s final home game against Alabama (9 on ESPN).