Men of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach John Calipari it failed to make it through the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, losing to Kansas State on Sunday.
Kansas State point guard Markquis Nowell scored 27 points, as a senior masterfully orchestrated the Wildcats offense.
Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell reacts during the Montana State game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Greensboro, North Carolina. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Nowell, a 5-foot-8 guard NYhe had nine assists on the day and scored 14 points in the final 6:10 of the second half.
KANSAS STATE’S JEROME TANG TAKES HIT ON KENTUCKY ‘TRADITION’ AFTER WINNING MARCH MADNESS
After the game, Calipari brought up Nowell’s game, referring to him as the “little boy” and teasing social media.
“We did a pretty good job on [Keyontae] Johnson, and he makes that three,” Calipari said. “And the little boy does the three. He makes a deep three. We miss a couple, and all of a sudden, he just gets out of hand.”
On Tuesday, Calipari reportedly called Nowell to apologize for his comment.
“I was told that John Calipari from Kentucky called Markquis Nowell from Kansas State and apologized for calling him ‘little’ after Nowell had 27 points and 8 assists and led K-State to a win over Kentucky,” Stadium’s John Goodman reported.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts during the Providence Friars game on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nowell also took to Twitter to confirm that he had spoken with Coach Cal.
Kansas State advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018.
David N’Guessan, left, and Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell celebrate during Montana State’s game in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“Friends,” Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang said. “We’ve got guys. That’s what it takes. I mean, people get involved in training and all that. They’re guys.”
The Wildcats will play Michigan State 7 Seed Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
