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[Saba Sports News] During CBS’s NCAA Tournament coverage on Thursday, Charles Barkley singled out Kentucky coach John Calipari as a figure under significant pressure to perform in March. Barkley emphasized that Calipari, despite his coaching prowess and Kentucky’s illustrious history, needs to lead his team to a deep tournament run.
“At some point, they’ve got to make a deep run. They can’t keep getting upset,” Barkley remarked. “I mean, they’re the University of Kentucky. They’re one of the greatest programs in history… He’s got to go deep in this tournament at some point and this might be the year.”
Calipari’s recent tournament record hasn’t met expectations, with his last Elite Eight appearance dating back to 2019. The lack of success, including an upset loss to Saint Peter’s in 2022, has led to criticism from parts of the fanbase.
The Wildcats begin their 2024 tournament campaign against Oakland, with a potential matchup against Texas Tech-NC State in the next round. Failing to advance deep into the tournament could amplify the pressure and scrutiny on Calipari.