Adam's Voicemail Bag: John Calipari reaction

Welcome to the third installment of the Voicemail Bag. Here's how it works: Callers leave me voicemails, I share them here, and then we all laugh or cry or whatever. Today's Bag is very Kentucky-centric.

The first caller was reacting to this column about Wildcats basketball coach John Calipari holding a three-day workout for his players in front of about 90 NBA scouts: http://cjky.it/1wBiC7R

Let's just say the caller thinks this is an unfair edge for UK. And yes, we needed the bleep function.

Here's a reader email that offered similar criticism:

Adam,

Explain to me why having a private combine with NBA scouts for athletes still eligible to play college basketball with NBA scouts, etc. is not a flagrant violation of NCAA rules and unfair to all other college basketball players in this country. If this isn't giving UK players extra benefits, I don't know what is. -Mike K

I know some fans like to assume Calipari is bending a rule, but this is all above board. As you read this, NBA scouts are at some college basketball practice somewhere. They've always come to UK practices. The only thing that's different with Cal's combine is that it was condensed into a three-day period and shown on national television. Is it good exposure for UK? Of course. Will it annoy other coaches? Probably. Is it against the rules? No. Really, if you have a complaint, you should take it to ESPN. Personally, I think it was a brilliant move by Calipari to put the eyes of the college basketball world on his program once again.

OK, let's take another voicemail. This C-J reader was reacting to this column, about why Kentucky football's string of off-field issues should concern coach Mark Stoops: http://cjky.it/1sf5ztE

Interestingly, the caller was most frustrated by me complimenting the Wildcats' on-field turnaround. He criticized their strength of schedule and tossed in a "Little Sisters of the Poor" reference for good measure. Caller, what's your name and where are you calling from?

Well, it's true that the schedule has not included any ranked teams. In fact, according to computer guru Jeff Sagarin, it ranks just 136th. Nevertheless, when you've won four games over two years, and now have five wins in six games, that's a pretty stunning turnaround.

Most of the reaction to that column focused on my belief that UK should be concerned about its off-field problems, most recently freshman Lloyd Tubman's arrest for first-degree rape. I also took issue with Stoops saying that he felt for "all parties" involved, as that could come across as insensitive to a victim's family. Stoops later explained that comment, and it is addressed in the column. Here are some excerpts of email responses:

I feel that Coach Stoops has addressed each situation appropriately. I could also see how his choice of words could be taken out of context in today's society. -Mike F.

I love Stoops and he is doing a great job but he can ill-afford to have his on the field success be tarnished by off the field issues, especially ones involving guns (no matter how innocent) and rape. -Rick T.

I think Coach Stoops has handled most of the incidents very well (which you said he did) but he is human and is going to make mistakes, and I hope he is a little tougher, but I am not the coach. -John D.

You are such a jerk. Always on a witch hunt for Kentucky. Can you ever be positive. Guess not since you work for the rag that you work for anyway. -Elaine B.

I love you too, Elaine. OK, let's close with one more voicemail on this topic, this from a caller who has no issue with Stoops voicing support for Tubman:

Thanks again for all the voicemails and emails. Basketball season is here, so we should have some more gems coming soon. Don't forget to leave a message!

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at 502-582-4372 by email ahimmelsbach@courier-journal.com and on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach