Calipari Update — 5:20pm EDT

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I’ve actually been working on my television show this afternoon, so I wanted to catch you up on all the stories related to John Calapari from the past couple of hours.

As usual, depending on the source, you’ll find some different information.



ESPN

According to ESPN, Calipari reached out to former UK coach Joe B. Hall today.  According to Hall, Calipari is having “difficulty” making up his mind about accepting the Wildcats’ offer and is “trying to get as much information as he can before deciding.”

“He had not made up his mind,” Hall said.  “He was trying to get all the info he could.



THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER

Calipari also called Eddie Sutton to discuss the job.  Sutton said he gave Calipari a balanced assessment.  “I told him all the good things about Kentucky.  Kentucky has the best things (a coach) would ever want.  Maybe there are a couple drawbacks.”

Gee… ya think Calipari will call his good, good buddy Rick Pitino for his take?  (More on Pitino in a second.)

Dick Vitale believes Calipari will eventually accept the UK job.  “My strong impression is he ultimately is coming (to Kentucky).”



SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Seth Davis believes Calipari is a perfect fit for Kentucky, in part because of his big ego.

Pitino, a rival of Calipari’s, said that the current Memphis coach would “do a great job at Kentucky if that’s their pick.”



THE LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL

If Calipari accepts the job, expect an immediate announcement from UK along with a plan for an official press conference to follow.

Larry Brown chimed in on his former assistant, Calipari, and his situation in Memphis.  “That community, that town, just adores John and respects what he’s done.  But (Kentucky’s) a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Brown also believes that Calipari has always wanted to coach on a big stage.

While Joe B. Hall told ESPN that Calipari is still weighing the decision, he told Rick Bozich that he “can’t wait until next year when we host Louisville.”  So does that mean Coach Cal is coming?  Or is that just Hall’s gut feeling?

Eric Crawford saw WREG-TV’s report from Memphis from earlier this afternoon (Calapari is headed to UK) and heard of Hall’s call to Mr. Bozich… then decided to post the following title to his blog: “Calipari a Cat.”

One problem with that… WREG is now saying that Calipari is “reportedly wavering” on his decision to leave Memphis.



CBSSPORTS.COM

Gary Parrish wrote earlier this afternoon (as we did) that Calipari was expected to meet with his assistants to discuss the move.

Meanwhile, Memphis fans and media are gathering around Calipari’s house.



FOXSPORTS.COM

Jason Whitlock writes that Calipari is considered a “dirty coach” by some in the media and that his “rep is that he plays loosey-goosey with the NCAA rulebook.”

And then he basically writes “so what?”  In Mr. Whitlock’s view, it’s the NCAA rules and “the system” that need changing.

Yeah, that should make everyone feel good.