ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe isn’t trying to hear that the Kentucky Wildcats are viable contenders in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
On Monday’s “First Take,” the Pro Football Hall of Famer had no problem criticizing guests Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg for their UK takes and he even quoted a Liam Neeson film to do it.
“You remember that movie ‘Taken’ with Liam Neeson?” Sharpe asked his co-analysts. “You remember when that guy took his daughter and [Neeson] said he was coming to find [him], the guy said ‘Good luck.’ Good luck with that Calipari pick.”
It’s been a while since John Calipari’s Wildcats have had success in March. The last time Big Blue advanced past the Sweet 16 was 2018 when the team went 30-7 and boasted talents like P.J. Washington, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson and Immanuel Quickley.
Calipari’s Cats didn’t quiet their critics either after an early exit in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at the hands of Texas A&M. But Coach Cal says he doesn’t feel like the walls are closing in on his program.
“I don’t feel that, come on now. Come on,” Calipari told Kentucky Sports Radio. “I’ve done this how long? And what’s the worst that could happen? It’s already happened to me. What’s the worst? [Getting fired], that’s the worst. I’ve already been through that. This ain’t about me, this is about these kids. That’s the reason I try to take all the pressure off them. … I don’t buy into it.”
Kentucky finished the season 23-9. They’ll face 14-seeded Oakland in round one of the Men’s Basketball Championship on Thursday.