It’s no secret that Kentucky men’s basketball’s 89-79 loss to John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks has frustrated and disappointed a wide variety of BBN.
One of the most highly anticipated matchups in recent years saw Calipari get the win in his first return to Rupp Arena since he and the Cats split ways back in April of 2024, while the three former Cats put up 52 points on 17 of 31 shooting from the field together.
A game that was supposed to be full of reminiscing and fun turned out to be a brutal, irritating night in Lexington.
To make matters worse, after the loss, former Kentucky players took to social media, backed up Calipari and inelegantly taunted BBN, proving fans somewhat true in the sense that players only came to Kentucky because they saw it as an NBA factory with no real care of winning a national title.
It all started before tip-off when former Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard (2023-24), who was born and raised in Kentucky, showed up to the Toyota Center in Houston before the Rockets’ game against the Brooklyn Nets wearing an Arkansas t-shirt with Kentucky shorts.
Sheppard made an effort to include Kentucky, but a t-shirt sticks out more than shorts, no?
“A lot of people are not happy, but you know, that’s my coach,” Sheppard said. “I played for Cal. I’ve got the Kentucky shorts. I’m a Kentucky boy. I’m rooting for Kentucky, but Coach Cal’s my coach, so I’m also pulling for Coach Cal.”
After the game, former Kentucky guard TyTy Washington Jr. (2021-22), took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and made a post, saying, “Walked into the trap and took over the trap..” utilizing an expression that he often said after beating teams on the road while playing for UK.
Along with his first post, Washington Jr. made another, saying, “Coach Cal understands it now,” briefing that Calipari understands how to coach and win again after the Hogs were on a bad skid to start conference play, going 1-6 before beating UK.
Along with Washington Jr.’s comments, Davion Mintz (2020-22) made a post, saying, “Great win coach,” choosing to publicize Calipari over the Cats.
The approach that the former Kentucky players took has BBN outraged and feeling a sense of disappointment as they were the players it cheered for, spent money on, knew and loved.
Kentucky will look to put the disastrous ending to what was supposed to be a great night in the past and look to bounce back on Tuesday, when it travels down to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the No. 25 Ole Miss Rebels.
Tip-off for that tilt is set for 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ESPN.
