John Calipari: 'We're not changing the standard, We're chasing championships'
Early on, the story of the NCAA Tournament was the Kentucky Wildcats. A first-round loss to Oakland was a surprise to everyone and was just the latest early exit under John Calipari. Speculation began to swirl regarding Calipari’s future but he will return to Lexington for the 2024-2025 season.
Kentucky’s emotions have ranged since the loss but Calipari has used the term “hurt” multiple times since then. Everyone in Big Blue Nation is having to deal with the loss but he says nobody is more disappointed than him.
“Have had better weekends,” Calipari said. “Hurting. Our team – players, staff, families? We’re all hurting. I’m hurting for them but I’m hurting. I’m hurting for our fans and I know many fans out there are hurting. But I want to say no one is hurting more than me right now.”
When Calipari took over in 2010, Kentucky was a force to be reckoned with. In his first six seasons, the Wildcats made an Elite Eight, three Final Fours, and won a national championship.
Going deep in the March was the only thing they knew.
Since then, there have been two Elite Eight and a Sweet Sixteen appearance. But the early losses have begun to pile up, not making it to the second weekend on four different occasions.
Calipari knows the standard at Kentucky is what he produced in his first few years compared to recent results. He will not change what’s expected out of him, players, and or anybody else involved with the program just because of a lul.
“Let me just say that we have a standard here,” Calipari said. “I said, early on, they don’t put Final Four banners up – only national championship banners. My standard is we’re playing to play deep into the NCAA Tournament and compete for national titles, win national titles. I wanted this job knowing that was the case. I love this job knowing that was the case. I’ve never left this job but that’s what the standard is for me.
“We’re not changing the standard. We’re chasing what we chase here, which are championships.”
Kentucky will seemingly run it back next season with Calipari, having some roster decisions to make. Six freshmen are entering the program and Calipari is recruiting some guys to return. He may not use the NCAA transfer portal offseason.
However the Wildcats look this time next year, Calipari expects to still be playing. Not just in late March but on the final Monday of the 2024-2025 season in San Antonio. Anything other than cutting down the nets will fall below his own standard.