While Kentucky was the #2 seed in the East bracket for March Madness 2022, the Wildcats fell in the first round against Saint Peter's, seed #15. In defense of John Calipari, the Peacocks then brought down Murray State (#7) then Purdue (#3), only falling in the Elite Eight, against North Carolina.
Last year, Kentucky, seeded #6, bit the dust in the second round against Kansas State, #3. And this year, the team, seeded #3, fell again in the first round, against Oakland, #14.
Accustomed to playing leading roles since the arrival of John Calipari in 2009, the Wildcats are no longer an NCAA stronghold, and the entire strategy, which relies on freshmen, could be called into question.
“I've done that with young teams my whole career, and it's going to be complicated for me to change that. Because I've helped so many young people and their families, I can't just see myself saying to them: 'Okay, we're not going to recruit any more freshmen'.” firstly explains the former coach of the Nets and the University of Memphis.
Mountains of future NBA players under his command
This is because John Calipari built his university aura by banking on his qualities as a recruiter, based on his ability to propel his players towards the Big League. This is how, year after year, he recruited some of the best high school students in the country, having under his command mountains of future NBA players, often in “one-and-done” situations: Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis , Karl-Anthony Towns, John Wall, De'Aaron Fox, DeMarcus Cousins, Julius Randle, Jamal Murray, Bam Adebayo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, Tyrese Maxey, Tyler Herro…
A strategy which clearly displays its collective limits, the “sponsorship” permitted by the “NIL” and the relaxation of transfer rules having changed the university dynamic.
“The situation has changed for us. All of a sudden, the teams became very old. We play against teams when our average age is 19, and their average age is 24 or 25. Should I change because of this? Maybe adding two or three older players to complete the team. »
Executioner of Kentucky last night, Jack Gohlke had a “redshirt” year, and with the one-year exemption linked to Covid, he has been in the NCAA for six years. He is therefore the same age as Luka Doncic!
With its eight “freshmen” and three “sophomores”, the Wildcats of Rob Dillingham and Reed Shepperd were indeed very young and John Calipari, linked for life with Kentucky, admits that he may have to change his mind by bringing a little experience to his group. Otherwise, you will have to relive the same problems over and over again.
