As the 2024-25 college basketball season approaches, tension between the Kentucky Wildcats fanbase and former head coach John Calipari was anticipated. Recently, Kentucky radio host Matt Jones discussed how Calipari’s exit and subsequent struggles at Arkansas have affected his rapport with ESPN’s Seth Greenberg. So far, Arkansas has faltered in the highly competitive SEC, losing its first five conference games. Consequently, Kentucky fans, including Jones, have taken satisfaction in Calipari’s challenges after his surprising departure from Lexington, where he spent 15 years.
Greenberg recently advised Kentucky fans to focus on their own team’s success instead of worrying about Calipari’s situation at Arkansas. Jones addressed this on his Kentucky Sports Radio show, criticizing Greenberg for dictating how Kentucky fans should feel about their former coach. “What is with Seth Greenberg? Why do he and Jay Williams feel the need to tell us how to think about Cal? Jay Williams mentioned that ‘Yes, Arkansas is struggling. Cal is behind. Part of it is because of how much BBN (Big Blue Nation) complains.’ Then, Seth adds, ‘Kentucky fans should worry about their team.’ Shut up! We won’t change our opinions based on your comments. You’re not one of us,” said Jones.
We are not in need of announcers telling BBN how to be “real” fans pic.twitter.com/gazNYLn8g1
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 21, 2025
Jones further recounted an encounter he had with Greenberg two years ago that illustrates the history of animosity between them, predating Calipari’s recent exit. During the UK-Kansas game, Jones noted, “Seth approached me, and although we had always been cordial, he questioned me about my comments on Calipari. I told him I was on his side, but the team was struggling, and that Cal was behind on the offense. He couldn’t believe I said that.” Jones expressed disappointment over Greenberg’s reaction, stating, “This was a friend who dismissed me entirely. Over the past year and a half, he has sent me some pretty harsh messages based solely on my on-air comments about Cal. Despite our friendship, he seemed upset because I held a different opinion. And now, he expects us to worry about our own team when we were right all along about Kentucky basketball?”
Given Greenberg’s long-standing relationship with Calipari, it’s understandable he would defend his friend as a fellow coach. However, Jones shows no signs of relenting in his views on Calipari, suggesting that any resolution between the two seems unlikely.
