Presidential candidates and campaign managers think John Calipari’s spin needs to be a little more reasonable:
Anyone buy this?
John Calipari: "Some guys were relieved" When We Lost to Wisconsinhttps://t.co/PPx6AhLac8 pic.twitter.com/ZvsnOo05MC— The Big Lead (@TheBigLead) August 5, 2015
The news value — if you can find any in this hilarious statement — is simply that Calipari felt the need to say this, whether or not he really believes it deep inside.
Why exactly would he feel the need to say this? It doesn’t exactly reflect well on his players. It might be an acknowledgment that long winning streaks entering the NCAA tournament convey a truckload of pressure, more than Cal or any coach might bargain for.
Keep in mind: Florida won 26 in a row entering the 2014 Dance. The Gators lost in the Final Four as a favorite.
In 2012, on the other hand, Kentucky — with a 24-game winning streak entering the SEC tournament final — lost its last game before the NCAAs. With a refreshed competitive palate, the Wildcats roared to the title, following a path carved out under very similar circumstances by Rick Pitino’s 1996 Kentucky team.
It goes against every coach’s or competitor’s instinct, but yes, losses — rarely but in the right spots — can be beneficial.
Maybe that’s what Calipari is trying to tell the world.
