Tennesse coach Bruce Pearl made UK and Tennessee a rivalry when he arrived four years ago, and it's going to get crazy if John Calipari takes the vacated UK job.
Calipari is a heated rival of Pearl, and now they could see each other twice a year during the regular season.
If anyone can go John Chaney on Calipari it's Pearl. I remember a local television interview when he was with USI in which he proclaimed "I hate Indianapolis." Not the city itself, but the rival college basketball team that tried to take out his star player's knee the last time they played.
Ironicly that star player -former Division II Player of the Year Stan Gourard- is now the coach at Indianapolis.
Pearl had a serious chip on his shoulder when it came to Memphis. He let it be know he didn't like Calipari's attitude because he didn't recognize Tennessee as a "national program." That chip will now be focused more toward UK, which beat the Vols twice last year.
Stay tuned. Pearl's reaction to a Calipari hiring could be entertaining.
1:56 p.m. I can't believe Calipari hasn't given his official answer yet. If he decided to stay at Memphis it will actually help his recruiting at that school. By staying he'd be showing potential recruits he's commited for the longhaul. And it would leave UK searching for answers as to why it couldnt' lure a coach away from $38 million.
6:31 p.m. Calipari doomed from the start. Why leave a place where you are god for a place you can only be god if you win the National Championship. See Tubby Smith.
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