Love or hate John Calipari, the bond he forms with his players is special. Over the years, they have gone to bat for him.

That made the dynamic on Saturday night all the more awkward. While fans were split on whether to cheer or boo Calipari, players were split on their allegiance. On the one hand, they want to support the coach who helped create a better life for them and their families, but on the other, they want to support the program they played and fought for.

Since Calipari left Kentucky last April, several players have taken their stance with most going on record to say something to the effect of; they love Cal but will always support Kentucky. PJ Washington visited Calipari at Arkansas and wore Razorback gear, while Willie Cauley-Stein denounced that he would ever cheer for Arkansas despite his love for Cal.

Before Saturday’s game, there was of course Reed Sheppard wearing an Arkansas/Kentucky split outfit that many fans took displeasure with. However, after the game, multiple players posted their congratulations to Calipari on social media.

Davion Mintz was tame, simply saying “Great win coach.”

Meanwhile, former Cat TyTy Washington posted some trolling comments.

“Coach Cal understands it now”

“Walked into the trap and took over the trap.” (referencing Rupp arena)

One Kentucky noted to Washington, “That used to be your trap.”

Another former Cat, Jacob Toppin, retweeted Washington’s comments.

Washington and Toppin did say, “It’s all love,” but tt’s safe to say that these Cats won’t be getting a Christmas card this year.

The leadup to John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena was surrounded by the debate to boo or cheer the former Wildcat coach.

Fans were split. Some voiced their appreciation for the success and memories between 2010 – 2019, while others voiced their displeasure with the underwhelming performances of the last four seasons.

That carried into the pregame environment inside Rupp Arena. Some fans were holding custom signs saying, “Welcome home Coach Cal”, while others wore t-shirts with Calipari sporting a red clown nose.

As he and former players walked out of the away team tunnel many fans were clapping, but were overpowered by the volume of boos. Something that his wife, Ellen Calipari, found disappointing.

Following Arkansas’ win, Ellen posted a photo of a Calipari-Arkansas shirt with the caption “Proud of some Razorback men.”

In the comments, she responded to several messages from Arkansas and Kentucky fans, including one who apologized for the booing from the fans. “The booing of him and the players was disappointing,” Ellen responded.

Stepping into Rupp Arena for the first time since leaving Kentucky last April, John Calipari sat down with ESPN color announcer Jimmy Dykes on Friday night. The two looked back at Calipari’s time at Kentucky, something he says will never be erased.

“Nothing is erased here for me,” he said. “What we did in that span of time, you can’t erase. It’s history, it’s written, it’s done.”

Calipari is correct in that. He helped raise four banners into the rafters of Rupp Arena, including the 2012 National Championship banner. Those will never be forgotten and one day his name will be raised into rafters.

Until then, he is an opposing coach. While there is debate on whether to boo or cheer him, he isn’t expecting a warm welcome, but he is expecting a lot of emotion.

“As we get closer to game time, I know the emotions will build. The fans should be able to do what they want,” Calipari said. “If they want to boo, they can boo. If they want to cheer, they can cheer. I’m not expecting an overwhelming reaction. At the end of the day, I’m an opposing coach. I’m not coming in here to lose this game. I get it. It’s a big game for the fans — ‘We’ve got to crush Cal and Arkansas,’ all of that. I’ve done this long enough. I always say, if I go to an opponent’s court, I almost expect it. I’m not looking up and seeing [the crowd], you just coach the game.”

While his time at Kentucky is over, he complimented Mark Pope on the job he has done in his first season and wishes him success.

“It’s someone else’s turn,” Calipari said with a smile.

Thank you for the memories Cal, until your name is in the rafters.