The Kentucky Wildcats, known for their offensive skills and lack of focus on defense, suffered a devastating loss to No. 14 seed Oakland in the NCAA tournament.
Worst loss of the John Calipari era. Only one NCAA Tournament win in the last five years for Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/QLmytTWzCM
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 22, 2024
Despite their high expectations, the Wildcats failed to live up to their potential and showcased their weaknesses in the game.
Oakland’s Jack Gohlke emerged as the unexpected hero, scoring 10 three-pointers and proving unstoppable for Kentucky’s defense.
̶S̶t̶e̶p̶h̶ ̶C̶u̶r̶r̶y̶
̶F̶l̶e̶t̶c̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶M̶a̶g̶e̶e̶
JACK GOHLKE. 🔥🔥🔥#MarchMadness @OaklandMBB pic.twitter.com/NjZtPX0Yvt— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2024
Freshman guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham struggled to find their rhythm offensively, while the team’s big men were ineffective.
Kentucky fell significantly short of their average points against Oakland, lacking preparation and confidence compared to their opponents.
Will just generally say that Cal’s lack of plan for how to get Rob/Reed into advantageous places against the zone that everyone knew Oakland was going to come in and play feels…concerning.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 22, 2024
Sheppard, considered one of Kentucky’s top players, had a disappointing game which may impact his decision to enter the NBA draft.
Coach John Calipari, despite signing a lifetime contract with Kentucky, has not achieved significant success in recent years.
This loss to Oakland is particularly devastating considering the team’s high expectations and favorable bracket.
Kentucky’s basketball program has experienced a decline since their last Final Four appearance in 2015, failing to reach the pinnacle of college basketball.
The team has faced several disappointing losses in past NCAA tournaments, including early eliminations in 2016, 2018, and 2024.
The future of Calipari with the Wildcats is uncertain, and their underwhelming performances have raised doubts about their ability to return to their former glory.
An early tournament exit may trigger uncomfortable team performance discussions. Calipari has faced scrutiny for being overpaid, and fans expect improved results.
This loss is a major setback for the team and will require reflection and effort to bounce back from.
Fans reacted as follows:
It’s time for Kentucky to seriously look at letting go of Calipari. Nobody does less with more
— Optimal Bets (@optimal_bets) March 22, 2024
overrated
— csb (@itsCSB__) March 22, 2024
They literally lost to St. Peter’s with a better team 2 years ago
— Titus Willis (@Titus_Willis) March 22, 2024
Once other schools started really embracing 1 and done players, Kentucky became really average team.
— Off The Rim Hoops (@offtherimHoops) March 22, 2024
He's not a great coach by any means. At least not in-game. Never has been. He's an elite recruiter.
Look at the NBA ready talent that has come out of Kentucky since he's been there. How many championships, or even championship game appearances, has it produced?— Timberwho? Timberwhat? Timberwolves! (@Timbotwolf) March 22, 2024
The man cannot win unless he has 4-5 first round picks on his team. And even then…1 title.
Most overrated coach in college sports.— Beau Coit (@BeauCoit) March 22, 2024
Recruiting the cream of the crop not getting it done any more. Recruiting services need to do better. These guys coming out of hs are the most skilled & talented recruits have ever been. But an unwillingness to be coached & lack of discipline limit their success
— Zachariah (@ZachysTweets) March 22, 2024
Gonna have to revise that NBA big board, KOC. Your UK top 10 picks were no shows.
— Dan Mason (@CSCDanMason) March 22, 2024
Lmao he’s been extremely overrated for years. Great recruiter, terrible coach. Sounds like he needs to be an assistant coach.
— Mendo (@Mzndoza) March 22, 2024
I’m not going to pile on CAL, I’ve been there and it hurts. These L’s go to the grave with you, but this is who Kentucky is. They recruit kids and expect them to play like men. This Kentucky team has at least 5 or 6 NBA players on the roster and I think a couple of all stars.
— Frankred (@Bigfrankred) March 22, 2024
Been saying it for years. No adjustments. Relying on talent. He is the trust fund kid who goes homeless
— John Estes (@steez_404) March 22, 2024
Not aware of his contact, but does he get another year? 1 more at best
— Anthony Spano (@Spone63) March 22, 2024
Looks Like Kentucky could be going down in a little Bit. Oh well At least I didn’t have them in the Final Four.
— Jackson Johnson (@Jackson09960335) March 22, 2024
There's always that one dude every year…
— Ben (@HowUBenFeller) March 22, 2024
— Jordan Stocks (@StockTalks21) March 22, 2024
Division 2 transfer has just caused Coach Calipari his job #MarchMadness
— Arthur Garfinkel (@GarfinkelArthur) March 22, 2024
He’s got 30 pts and I don’t think he’s dribbled once this entire game
— Terry Angel (@IndyTerry) March 22, 2024
They’re both super tentative and it’s on them, too. But it just feels like they have a bit less confidence in what they’re supposed to be trying to accomplish in terms of the HOW they’re trying to attack it.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 22, 2024
Still hasn't learned a single lesson against the 1-3-1 that burned him against West Virginia 14 years ago. Fourteen.
— Jason Grefer (@JasonGrefer) March 22, 2024
Couldn’t believe how much standing around there was. Oakland sagging off DJ hurt, and Reed was too easy to guard as stationary as he was. Had a couple good sets for easy buckets, but basic Zone-O was bad
— TheKentucky15 (@TheKentucky15) March 22, 2024
There just never feels like a plan. It was stunning to see Sheppard, et al, just wander out there vs. running anything to get them shots in the spots they wanted.
— Brett Lawrence (@BrettLawrence) March 22, 2024
He needs to step aside. Tomorrow. He’s lost the fan base, the media, the donors.
— LSGrayson (@NativeKyianBBN) March 22, 2024
