LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach
John Calipari doesn't agree with Bobby Knight that college basketball
lacks integrity or that he is proof there is a problem.
Calipari refused to get into a war of
words Friday when asked about the pointed criticism from Knight that
Calipari's continued employment proves the game has a problem. Instead,
Calipari said he remains a "big fan" of the former Texas Tech and
Indiana head coach.
"I don't agree with what he says but it doesn't change how I feel about him," Calipari said.
Calipari said Knight's comments surprised him.
"I get up to go to mass this morning
and there's like 100 text messages and I'm like what in the world
happened?" Calipari said. "And I get word and what I can tell you is
I'm a big fan, respect him as a basketball coach, always have."
Knight called out Calipari during a fundraiser for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday.
"We've gotten into this situation
where integrity is really lacking and that's why I'm glad I'm not
coaching," Knight said. "You see we've got a coach at Kentucky who put
two schools on probation and he's still coaching. I really don't
understand that."
Both Memphis and Massachusetts were
forced to vacate Final Four appearances by the NCAA for infractions
made during Calipari's tenure, though Memphis is appealing the penalty.
Calipari was not implicated in either case by the NCAA.
Calipari declined to take questions
on the matter on Friday, but created some of the success he has had
with his offensive strategy to Knight, who retired with 902 career
victories. Calipari said he took his staff at Memphis down to Texas
Tech while Knight was coaching to watch the Red Raiders practice.
Calipari said Knight gave him some help on perfecting the "Dribble Drive" offense.
"Made it even better," Calipari said.
Kentucky forward Josh Harrellson
said he was surprised by Knight's comments but that Knight's words seem
to be part of the national perception of his coach.
"People hear stuff about him and
they kind of guess what he's like, but playing for him and actually
being around him, he's a great guy," Harrellson said. "He's fair to
everybody."
The third-ranked Wildcats (10-0)
host Austin Peay on Saturday. Calipari can break Adolph Rupp's record
for best start by a first-year coach in program history with a victory.