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What was going on the last time Wake Forest made a Final Four

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I thought a lot of things would happen during this quarantine, but a rivalry starting between Kentucky and Wake Forest because of a basketball transfer was at the bottom of the list.

Let’s run this back to yesterday where Wake Forest attempted a cute “hype” video in introducing their new head coach, Steve Forbes.

Forbes then went on Josh Graham’s, “The Drive,” and decided to take a shot at Kentucky, “I think the most important thing is, why would you go to Wake Forest for three year, put in all that time for a prestigious degree, and end up getting your degree at a place like Kentucky?”

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The host, Josh Graham, took matters into his own hands today after Kentucky Sports Radio talked “trash” about the Wake Forest program. I listened to it earlier and it’s safe to say that Graham wasn’t too happy about what KSR said.

He chirped back, ripping Kentucky basketball, the city of Lexington, KSR, etc.

A Wake Forest sports radio host talking trash about Kentucky basketball? Oh boy.

Graham said, “You’re a blue blood, but you’re easily the fourth best blue blood.”

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Graham also said this later in the show: “Who’s the best Kentucky Wildcat to ever play in that program? I guarantee you won’t find a guy who’s in the top-20 or top-30 in the history of college basketball.”

He also made fun of Rupp Arena, saying “Rupp Arena is attached to a damn shopping mall.”

With these comments, you’d think Wake Forest basketball was a special program with a rich history. Well, I know it’s a surprise, but they aren’t.

They haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2017, but, they did go on a nice run where they made it five

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years in a row back in the early 2000’s. Since then, they’ve made it three times.

Wake Forest did make the second round back in 2010, but met the Wildcats and were sent home. They did make a run to the Elite Eight in 1996, courtesy of Tim Duncan, but were sent home again by the Wildcats, 83-63. Duncan had 14 points.

Wake Forest has made a Final Four in their history, all the way back in 1962.

Here’s what was happening back then.

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  • John Glenn became the first American to enter outer-space
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points
  • The Dodgers played their first game in Los Angeles
  • JFK was president
  • The first Wal-Mart opened in Rogers, Arkansas
  • Marilyn Monroe died
  • The Navy SEALS were activated
  • “Stranger on the Shore” by Acker Bilk was the most popular song
  • “Lawrence of Arabia” was the top-grossing movie
  • Average income was $5,556
  • Gas was 28 cents a gallon
  • SpiderMan made his first TV appearance
  • Wake Forest basketball was actually good

Wake Forest went 22-9 in 1962 and their best players were Len Chappell and Billy Packer. Yes, that Billy Packer.

Sadly, the Demon Deacons were eliminated by Ohio State, 84-68, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.

So to Josh Graham, Steve Forbes, and all of Demon Deacon Nation (if that’s actually a thing), when it comes to talking trash about Kentucky, especially Kentucky basketball, I would just sit in the corner and be quiet.

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Men's Basketball

Adou Thiero Enters Transfer Portal, Keeps Options Open

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© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky’s first domino of the off-season has fallen. Adou Thiero has entered the transfer portal, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw. He has entered his name in the NBA Draft as well, while not ruling out a return to Kentucky, according to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim.

A big hit to Kentucky’s upcoming roster, as Thiero’s upside and growth will be missed. In the 2023-24 season, Thiero averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while missing 7 games due to injury. The 6-8 wing brought physicalness that Kentucky desperately needed this season, and something Calipari has been stressing for this upcoming season. Calipari harped on him numerous times this season, saying “He’s gotten so much better.”

Thiero has jumped in mock drafts all season, and his potential is sky high. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony even had Thiero going 27th in the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, he will get to add to his potential elsewhere.

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Now, Kentucky will look to find a good replacement for him as more things start happening throughout the off-season. Calipari is continuing to meet with players to discuss their future plans throughout the week.

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John Calipari Highlights Changes for Next Season

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John Calipari draws up a play at Kentucky's season opener. Said he made a "tweak".
UK Athletics

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein.

Many Kentucky fans have referred to this quote over the last few days, expressing a desire for a change from John Calipari. However, Calipari will be back on the sidelines for the Kentucky Wildcats next season for his 16th season, confirmed by Mitch Barnhart on Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be any changes.

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On Monday, John Calipari went on his season-ending radio show, giving his first comments to fans since Kentucky’s upset loss to Oakland last Thursday. It was easy to see why is a good recruiter, as he said all the right things.

For the better part of an hour, Calipari spoke with humility, answered some direction questions from Tom Leach, and accepted criticism. The main takeaway was that he understands that he has not met the Kentucky standard or his own standard, and changes need to take place.

“We’ve got to evaluate everything,” Calipari said. Here are some changes that have been outlined.

Getting Back to “Grinding”

Kentucky basketball offseason has often consisted of international trips to the Bahamas, or Canada last season, but not this year. Calipari emphasized a desire to get back to what his early Kentucky teams were characterized by, defense and physicality.

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“What about in the summers, instead of the Bahmas or Toronto, we’re grinding,” Calipari proposed. “We’ve got to get back to where we’ve been defensively and with physicality. Your defense steadies you.”

Those trips are good for team bonding and chemistry, but it’s clear that time can be used better for getting into the weight room and instilling defensive principles. Calipari did note that he does not want to take a step back on offense.

Getting Older

Calipari is the coach who made the “one-and-done” approach popular, relying heavily on elite freshmen. However, with college basketball getting older, he has expressed a willingness to get older.

“We’re relying on freshmen too much. In those kinds of games, you better have some vets,” Calipari said of his takeaway from Oakland. “For us, we need to get older.”

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It should be noted that Calipari relied on transfers in 2022 and 2023, albeit most not being the elite transfers, but more supporting pieces (i.e. CJ Fredrick) and developmental players (i.e. Jacob Toppin). That said, two transfers have been the leading scorer for Kentucky in three straight seasons, Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves.

Calipari is looking more for a middle ground between young talent and transfers. “I like the combination of both. We just got to get the right transfers.”

Program Changes

When you are winning, you have more freedom, but when you have just one NCAA Tournament win in the last four seasons, you’re not going to have that luxury. This was not publicly said by Calipari, but more oversight will come as a result of his meeting with Barnhart on Tuesday afternoon.

Expect 1-2 staff changes and likely a support staff change. One of the staff changes should be filled with a defensive mind, and the support staff should be (suggestion) filled with someone in a general manager-type role. There will also be some operation changes such as having a more definitive practice schedule, rather than getting a text the day before/of, and some changes with the NIL model.

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Mitch Barnhart Speaks On John Calipari Coming Back As Kentucky Basketball Coach, “He Will Return”

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Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will return as Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach.
Mike Weaver/Special to the Courier Journal

After days of speculation, Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will be back, coaching his 16th season for the Kentucky Wildcats. The two had a conversation at Barnhart’s farm on Tuesday afternoon.

“As we normally do at the end of every season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of our men’s basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach,” Barnhart said in a statement.

While there was some fan outcry for a head coaching change, there was no real indication that a change would be made.

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Barnhart was put in a difficult situation. Calipari has not led the Wildcats to the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2019, but he is one of just a few active Hall of Fame coaches. With no clear option as a replacement, Barnhart decided to retain Calipari for another season.

Kentucky Insider has been told that Tuesday’s meeting between the two was “good”, despite some disagreement. As a result of the meeting, there will be some expected changes in the program, specifically some staff changes, and changes in day-to-day operations.

On Monday, Calipari recognized his shortcomings and closed out his show with a commitment to the Kentucky fans:

“That standard of national titles has been here from coach Rupp on. The only thing I am saying to all our fans. I’m going to work… That is a commitment that I give to the fans. I love it. This is what I want. This is it. Let’s come together and let’s do something.”

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Calipari is set to meet with players individually on Wednesday to discuss their stay/go decisions. The process of rebuilding next year’s roster (and staff) begins now.

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