John Calipari, Kentucky drawing major criticism from fans, media after trailing South Carolina at halftime

John Calipari and Kentucky haven’t lost a game at Rupp Arena all season long. But it trails South Carolina 42-32 at halftime of the team’s contest in Lexington on Tuesday evening.

The Wildcats have underwhelmed throughout the season as they’ve struggled against some of the top teams in college basketball. They were blown out at Top 10 Alabama on Saturday, their latest loss against a nationally-ranked opponent. Calipari’s team has also lost to Gonzaga and UCLA, among others.

One thing the Wildcats haven’t done this season is lose a game at home. That run, however, appears to be in jeopardy — at least through 20 minutes of play. What’s more, the fact that the Gamecocks have 42 points in the 1st half has raised eyebrows given that they scored 42 in the entire game in a loss to Tennessee on Saturday. The Gamecocks have won just twice in 28 tries at Rupp Arena.

Needless to say, if the Wildcats don’t turn this deficit, it will equal a new low for the program this year.

Here’s a sampling of the harsh social media reaction toward Kentucky:

It's unbelievable how bad this Kentucky basketball team is. Truly mind-boggling.

— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) January 11, 2023

defense? South Carolina has 42 on Kentucky at half in Rupp. Gamecocks only scored 42 the entire game against Tennessee in 40 point loss

— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) January 11, 2023

We can’t guard anybody

Tennessee gave up 42 to South Carolina in a game

We gave up 42 in a Half

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 11, 2023

No one does less with more talent than John Calipari #BBN

— Matt Johnson (@mjlifecoach19) January 11, 2023

John Calipari is one of the best college coaches of all time but UK is paying him way too much to get a team like this. They will probably fire him, but who are they going to go get that is better?

— Brennon Chapman (@BrennonChapman) January 11, 2023

This team might actually get Calipari fired, jesus…

— Deceased Suns Fan (Suns 20-21) (@CameronBundyPi) January 11, 2023

I believe it’s safe to say that the first five minutes of the game were the worst five minutes of the Calipari era! May be the worst five in program history!

— Mark Kendrick (@ukclassof93) January 11, 2023

I swear on everything somebody on my timeline said something like Calipari is a Top 5 coach in college basketball and always has been. Honestly it’s just pure comedy on here. Basketball might be ruined!

— Pat Keller (@PKelz) January 11, 2023

Kentucky is getting outplayed at home by a disgustingly bad South Carolina team. Meechie Johnson, a terrible high major guard who couldn’t cut it in the Big Ten, was the best player on the floor in the first half.

The Calipari era has reached an all-time low.

— The Brotherhood (@BrotherhoodCBB) January 11, 2023