Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky HC apologizes to Kansas State guard after controversial comment

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/22/23

University of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari called and apologized to Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell on Tuesday, two days after the team's second-round NCAA Tournament game.

No. 3 Kansas State defeated No. 6 Kentucky, 75-69, on Sunday behind a game-high 27 points from Nowell, 23 of which came in the second half. Nowell's Wildcats will take on seventh-seeded Michigan State in the Sweet 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Been told that Kentucky's John Calipari called Kansas State's Markquis Nowell and apologized for calling him "Little Guy" after Nowell went for 27 points and 8 assists and led K-State to a win over Kentucky.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 21, 2023

Kansas State assistant coach Jareem Dowling called out Calipari on Twitter following the comments, writing that while the 2015 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee was "one of the best on the mic," he needed to "put some respect on" Nowell, who is listed at 5-foot-8.

Some on social media backed Calipari and argued that the two-time member of the Big-12 All-Defensive team was taunting the Kentucky bench throughout the contest. Just after 2:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Nowell quote-tweeted a picture of himself seemingly jawing at Calipari, which was posted by former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III with a message of "Caption This..."

Nowell chose the caption "They Can't F--K WITH ME!!!"

However, Nowell confirmed that he talked with Calipari on Tuesday afternoon and said they had reconciled. Dowling saw the news and approved it as well.