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Kentucky Wildcats: John Calipari Fires Blunt Message Amid Rumors Of NCAA Tournament Expansion

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 3/21/24

It’s safe to say that Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari is not excited over the idea of expanding the NCAA Tournament field.

“I hope it stays where it is,” Calipari said (h/t Brooke Pryor of ESPN). “You know, I know people get mad. They get mad at the committee. You won’t believe this. I’ve been mad at that committee a few times. But you may be mad because of your seed or where they’ve shipped you to. … But it doesn’t matter who the committee is. We’re all going to be upset.”

John Calipari Is Not In Favor Of NCAA Tournament Expansion

At present, the March Madness field is 68-team large. It used to be 64 but got expanded to 68 teams in 2011 with the introduction of the First Four. Speculations have been flying lately about the potential of the field increasing to up to 80 teams. Needless to say, it’s a world Calipari doesn’t want to see.

“This is a business trip for me,” Calipari stated. “And I’ll say everybody that’s in this thing, I would say they’d say the same thing—keep it where it is. Don’t mess with something that’s great.”

The Kentucky Wildcats Gearing Up For First Round Of 2024 March Madness

The Wildcats, who got bounced out of the Big Dance in the first round last year, are looking to make louder noises this time around. The No. 3 seed Kentucky is scheduled to play the Np. 14 Oakland Grizzlies this Thursday.

Kentucky has an overall record this season of 23-9 and went 13-5 against rivals in the SEC. After a five-game win streak, Kentucky got a reality check in the quarterfinals of the 2023 SEC Tournament when it got upset by the Texas A&M Aggies.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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