John Calipari and Ed Cooley have a history of mutual respect dating back to their days in the coaching ranks. The two coaches first crossed paths in 1994 and 1995 when Calipari was coaching at UMass and Cooley was an assistant at the nearby Division III UMass-Dartmouth. Now, their paths will cross again as Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats are set to face Cooley and the Providence Friars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
During a recent media appearance, Calipari had nothing but kind words for Cooley, praising him as a great coach, communicator, and motivator. He also acknowledged Cooley’s accomplishments, including being named Coach of the Year in 2021-22 after leading Providence to a 27-6 record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance.
While Calipari and Cooley have faced each other three times in the past, with Calipari winning all three games, this matchup has added significance as Kentucky looks to rebound from an upset loss in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals and avoid an early exit in the NCAA Tournament.
Adding to the storyline is the fact that Kentucky will face former Wildcat forward Bryce Hopkins, who transferred to Providence after a limited role at Kentucky as a freshman. Hopkins has blossomed into a star for the Friars, averaging 16.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game this season, earning him a spot on the All-Big East First Team.
Despite the potential awkwardness of facing a former teammate and friend, Calipari expressed nothing but love for Hopkins and credited him for his breakout season. He also said that the current Wildcats were excited about the opportunity to see him again.
Tip-off for the game is set for 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, and it promises to be an intriguing matchup between two respected coaches and a former Wildcat who has found success elsewhere.
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