John Calipari knows the road all too well — and no, not the cobblestoned pavement and barbeque smoke-filled scene of Beale Street.
Calipari, Kentucky’s basketball coach, is quite familiar with the journey to the NCAA Tournament.
On Sunday, for the ninth time, Calipari had a team within reach of a Final Four. The Wildcats fell in dramatic last-second shot fashion to No. 1 seeded North Carolina, 75-73. But like the entire 2016-17 season, Kentucky was led by star-studded freshmen guards De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, who finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Although not yet confirmed, both players are expected to turn professional and become one-and-done talents — players who turn pro after just one year at school — a common theme among Calipari teams.