Michael Wilbon tells John Calipari to give Kentucky basketball fans ‘the double-bird’

On Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s “Pardon of Interruption” co-hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser came to the defense of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari.

“John Calipari could walk on the floor in Lexington — he won’t do this; I would do this — he could give people the double-bird if he wants,” Wilbon said. “He could say, “I’ll walk right out of here. I’ll take half these kids with me.”

The topical daily sports show led with Kentucky’s struggles, focusing on the fans booing at Rupp Arena during UK’s 71-68 loss to South Carolina on Tuesday. Kentucky entered the game as a 19.5-point favorite. The Cats are now 10-6 overall and 1-3 in the SEC.

Calipari has been a frequent guest on PTI over the years.

Kornheiser asked Wilbon if he thought it was Calipari’s last year at Kentucky.

“I think it could, but more important than seeing it as his last year, I just privately — or not privately because I’m saying it — I hope it’s his last year,” Wilbon said. “John Calipari, with the transfer portal being what it is, and how it reshapes college sports particularly in college football and basketball — in other sports but particularly those — John Calipari, as great a coach as he is, as great a recruiter, attractor of talent, John Calipari is like a pop-up store.

“He could go any damn place in America, and he’s a northeastern guy largely, he could go anywhere and set up shop and in one season be in the tournament and be a threat to win the tournament.”

Wilbon added, “At Kentucky, where they go crazy over any little development, they could go crazy over seeing Cal and his pop-up store somewhere else.”

Kornheiser said he was stunned by the boos. The show also mentioned the “Please Go To Texas” sign held up by one Rupp patron, who was later ejected.

(To set the record straight, there were only a scattering of boos after UK fell behind early. By and large, the Rupp crowd did its best to lift up the Cats.)

“He should go to Texas,” Kornheiser said, “and in two years they’ll be back in the SEC and they can beat Kentucky at Kentucky.”

UK plays at No. 5-ranked Tennessee at noon Saturday on ESPN.

Listen to “Pardon the Interruption” on its podcast.

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