At this very moment 48 hours ago, Kentucky was leading North Carolina by four and a half and finally had some momentum on its way. Two days later, it is felt that the wheels fall spectacularly from the wagon. Not only are the cats 1-5 for the first time since the 1926-27 season, John Calipari announced this morning that he asked freshman Cam’Ron Fletcher to move away from the program to “reflect and make a soul search priorities in order. . “Not great, Bob.
We may never know what happened in the locker room after the loss in North Carolina, but it must have been bad if only one active player, including seniors Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz, was willing to do the Zoom post -game. Keion Brooks headed for the game, but even he hinted that things were not going well, telling reporters, “Things are hard, especially with what’s happening in the world, it’s hard.” When Calipari appeared on Zoom, it looked a million years old, a ghost in front of the UK’s bright virtual background. Instead of sticking to his usual talking points, Cal was grumpy and honest, expressing his disappointment at the start of this team.
When reviewing the tape, it appears that the drama began with about two minutes left.
3:19 – Fletcher is out of the game
Fletcher played only three minutes against UNC, just over one in the second half. Terrence Clarke was given a chance to change things around. Davion Mintz took his place on the field.
2:33 – The team claps after Askew scores
Fletcher (just below the net) applauds Devin Askew’s gallery with the rest of the team.
2:01 – Fletcher cries on the sidelines
British coach Rob Harris holds a towel over his face and comforts him.
1:13 – Fletcher still on the sidelines
1:09: Clarke fouls
Clarke heads for the bench and there doesn’t seem to be any drama. From an angle, you can’t see if Fletcher is still on the sidelines or not.
1:02 – Fletcher is not on the bench
1:01 – Clarke notices that Fletcher is missing, “Did he leave?”
A lot is happening in this clip. Not only is Clarke surprised and unhappy that Fletcher went to the locker room, Calipari didn’t like the reaction.
59.9 “Cal is talking to Clarke,” said the locker room
As Askew throws his free throw, Calipari talks to Clarke and then points to the locker room while Lance Ware tries to intervene. Does Cal send Clarke to the locker room or just say Fletcher is there?
43.4 – Clarke Ware console on the side
Clarke remained on the bench, with Ware tapping him on the shoulder.
27.6 – Ware talking to Clarke on the bench
I think we can all read Clarke’s lips there.
13.1 – Cal’s reaction says it all
All Cal can do is shake his head after looking up at the scoreboard.
16:22 – The end of the game
Kentucky heads to the locker room.
16:43 – Keion Brooks appears on the Zoom postgame
Brooks, who has not played all season due to injury, is the one addressing the postgame media Zoom. When asked why, he gave the answer:
“Because I am one of the leaders of our team. My boys didn’t feel up to it. They didn’t want to do it, so I’ll take it. I’m not going to put them here in this vulnerable situation where the emotions are great and you know, you never know what can happen, so I went out here and I’m just defending my teammates. “
16:55 – Calipari appears on the Zoom postgame
Calipari said he is proud of Brooks for speaking out to the media, but disappointed with his team for their performance in the last ten minutes.
“Well, you’re talking about guys who go through things that are very, very difficult for them: to take responsibility, to perform, to accept where they are on the team. There are a lot of things and he (Brooks), I think Eric (Lindsey) said he just said, “Look, I’m going to do the media.” I was a little proud of him that he would step up and face the music and not even sing. I’m so disappointed, especially with the last 10 minutes of play. I’m so disappointed. “
He said this when asked about Fletcher’s emotions at the end of the game:
“Again, you have to accept your position in this team. Whatever minutes you have, and Cam (Fletcher) was crazy, he didn’t play more. I say to myself, “The boys in front of you are playing.” Lance (Ware) played with his mind. I thought Devin (Askew) was playing better. Cam came in and apologized afterwards. They don’t understand that, after four minutes of play, we had the chance to win the game and you to face an attitude. It is the immaturity of this. “
SUNDAY
11:53 – Fletcher apologizes on Twitter.
DO I LOVE BBN? pic.twitter.com/udaLo0Cygf
– 21 (@ CamRonFletcher1) December 20, 2020
About 2:30 p.m. – Fletcher noticed (and heard) at Bluegrass Airport
A source tells Drew Franklin that Fletcher was at Bluegrass Airport yesterday afternoon. Before boarding the flight to St. Louis, was heard expressing frustration with the team on the phone.
MONTHS
11:35 – John Calipari announces that he has asked Fletcher to leave.
from @UKCoachCalipari:
I asked Cam Fletcher to take some time off from the team. He must reflect and look for something spiritual to order his priorities. Any attitude or action that harms this team will not be tolerated – and this is true for all team members.
Here we have a culture that has been built over the last 11 years and will not change. Through good and bad times, this culture is meant to change individuals and change maturity levels. This hurts our team, but this is about Cam and his future.
I talked to Cam and his mother and they know I care about him and I love him, but I also understand that changes need to be made. It is up to him to decide whether he can act in this culture, both on and off the field.
SATURDAY
14:01 – Kentucky defeats Louisville
Please???