Calipari tries to clarify “heart” comments and makes it worse

Well, this just isn’t John Calipari’s week—or year for that matter.

The Kentucky Wildcats’ head coach made some interesting comments that brought him under fire after UK’s loss at Auburn on Saturday. When discussing why he didn’t play Dontaie Allen and Jacob Toppin more, Calipari gave the following quote:

“I want to win every game I coach,” Calipari said. “But the other side of it is, I’m not trying to take anybody’s heart away.”

Whew.

So, it’s okay to take Allen and Toppin’s hearts, but not BJ Boston or, say, Olivier Sarr? Not a good look to say the least.

The comments made it seem as if Cal is more worried about appeasing the five-star players and other “stars” rather than actually playing who deserves to be on the floor.

Unsurprisingly, Coach Cal addressed it on his show Monday night and only made things worse. After stating that the Cats would likely have some new starters for Wednesday night’s game in Georgia, Calipari just couldn’t help himself.

Look, I understand you don’t want to take a player’s confidence away, but at some point, maybe a trip to the bench will light a fire under these guys.

Boston has been incredibly inefficient this year, taking roughly 40 more shots than the next closest player on the team despite shooting the worst percentage from the field. Sarr, on the other hand, has just been inconsistent. One game he can put up 25 points and the next it’s like he’s not even there.

Regardless, both players still have long leashes and don’t get pulled from the game. However, Allen or Toppin make one miniscule mistake and they get ripped immediately, only to sit the bench for who knows how long.

It’s become frustrating for both the fanbase and apparently the players, and now, it’s time for a change.

Kentucky needs to have their best players on the floor as much as possible. Sarr can be that guy sometimes. Right now, Boston isn’t that guy ever. But Toppin is the biggest hustler, and maybe most versatile, while Allen is the most dynamic scorer.

It looks like we’ll finally see a change on Wednesday night, but it didn’t come without more gas being poured on the dumpster fire that is the 2020-21 college basketball season.