John Calipari says "nothing (is) imminent" regarding Indiana series

From 1969 through 2011, the Kentucky Wildcats took on the Indiana Hoosiers at least once every year. The two teams actually played twice during the 1972-73, 1974-75, 1982-83 and 2011-12 seasons. They’ve combined to play 57 times dating back to 1924.

Following Indiana’s upset win over Kentucky at Assembly Hall back in 2011, though, the home-and-home series was put on hold — potentially for good. Since then, the teams have only played twice, both times in the NCAA Tournament (2012, 2016).

John Calipari refused to continue the series unless the games were played at a neutral site, something Tom Crean wasn’t up for during his final years in Bloomington. That trend continued when Archie Miller took over from 2017-21.

Conversations return

When Mike Woodson was introduced as Indiana’s head coach this offseason, however, conversations between both parties started again. Calipari is “good friends” with Woodson, who played in the NBA from 1980 to 1991 and coached from 1996 through 2021, so the two have communicated.

Should we expect anything soon? Don’t get your hopes up. Not yet, anyway.

“Mike and I are good friends,” Calipari said following Kentucky’s 80-55 win over Mount St. Mary’s. “We’ve talked about stuff, but there’s nothing imminent that I could talk to you about.”

The reasoning? Kentucky’s schedule is loaded with other high-profile non-conference matchups and there isn’t enough space to add another at this point in time. And as of right now, Calipari isn’t willing to give up his program’s spot in those events for something new.

“I think we’ve got to go to Notre Dame,” said Calipari. “I think we’ve got to do a Michigan thing. You’ve still got the (Big 12/SEC Challenge). You still got Louisville every year. You got the two tournaments that everyone wants in that we’re in (Champions Classic and CBS Sports Classic). Everybody wants those tournaments. The greatest thing about those two neutral games is the four teams that are in it are lucky because the minute anybody would drop out, there would be 50 teams calling and begging to be in those tournaments. Got through the Georgia Tech thing.”

“He is a hell of a coach, and he is a great guy.”

While nothing is imminent on a series renewal, Calipari doubled down on his respect for Woodson and their friendship over the years.

“Mike is a good guy,” said Calipari. “… From what I understand, they’re doing well, too, and playing good basketball. Let me tell you, he is a hell of a coach, and he is a great guy. I could tell you stories about what makes him a great guy, but he’s doing great.”

Woodson fueled rumors of a potential series renewal in May, telling WISH-TV’s Anthony Calhoun that he and Calipari have “hinted at” the return of Kentucky vs. Indiana.

“Calipari and I have hinted at it,” Woodson said at the time. “But I would love to see it cause Indiana fans would love it. I would love to see it back if we can make it happen.”

At Indiana’s media day back in September, Woodson continued to express interest in bringing back the rivalry, adding that he wants the Hoosiers to get back to playing in “big games.”

“I want to get this team back on top to the point where we want to be playing the Kentuckys and UCLAs and Kansases, big games,” said Woodson.

Calipari said back in 2019 that he didn’t see room for Indiana on the schedule anytime in the “next 4-5 years.”

“Our schedule is so locked in, I’m not sure here in the next 4-5 years even talking about it does anything,” Calipari said at the time. “… Our stuff is pretty well loaded and so I don’t see it happening anytime in the near future.”

Kentucky leads the all-time series 32-25, though Indiana won the most recent matchup in 2016, a second-round NCAA Tournament victory.