By Karanja A. Ajanaku, kajanaku@tri-statedefender.com

A chorus of boos competed with a round of applause for the attention of Kentucky head coach John Calipari as he walked onto the court of the FedExForum Thursday afternoon. He signaled his acknowledgement by raising his water bottle.

Making his way over to the scorer’s table where he handled some business, he pivoted to view his talent-heavy Wildcats. He gathered them around him and then sent them into their practice paces for the mammoth NCAA Sweet Sixteen matchup against the Bruins of UCLA.

Back in Memphis where he coached the University of Memphis Tigers into a powerhouse basketball program, Calipari faced the lingering backlash and outright anger by some Tiger Nation faithful still convinced that he left the U of M high and dry when he bolted to Kentucky.

At a media session that ended just a few minutes before he made his way onto the court, Calipari was asked if he would have done anything differently with the way he handled – or did not handle – his departure.

“I had been talked to probably by six other universities during my time here and three had offered me jobs and a couple I considered. But Kentucky is one that you leave for. It just is,” he said.

“It was eight years ago…I don’t remember all of it, but there was no intent to offend anybody. It was just, Kentucky.”

Calipari harkened to some backlash engendered by remarks he made at his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

“I wish I had of said something different. They asked me about Kentucky; being at Kentucky, what does it do. My intent was to say a Power 5, to be able to be in those leagues, that’s what the advantage is.”

The intent clearly did not register with some.

“I can’t remember exactly how I said it. I think I said something about a little table and everybody became offended. They could have been offended at UMass (where he once coached). But I didn’t mean a program. This program at UMass became No. 1 in the country. What I meant was the Power 5 advantage, if you coach in any other league, is enormous,” he said.

“You must play a non-conference schedule if you are non-Power 5. That’s off the chain. You must win every league game. You got to scratch and claw and do whatever to be significant. If you lose …ask Gonzaga. You lose a game and all of sudden they’re saying you shouldn’t be a one-seed. Gonzaga is an outstanding team.”

Emphasizing that he meant no offense, Calipari added, At that time, the question was about what has Kentucky done for you. It was Power 5. It gave me a chance to do what all these other teams have done through the years.”

A Memphis columnist and talk show host asked whether Calipari had given any thought to whether there should be a banner hanging in the FedExForum to reflect the Final Four run that has been vacated by the NCAA, even though Calipari was not tagged with any rules infractions.

“I haven’t,” Calipari answered, “but I would say that there is nothing that can take away what that run was about, including the city. It was a special time…special kids.”

Former players, notably Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier, made contact soon after he and the Wildcats made it to Memphis, Calipari said.

“It’s unfortunate,” he said of the disqualified season, “but I tell you what, that was a great run.”

With Kentucky now established as a one-and-done basketball program for high school stars eyeing the NBA, Calipari fielded a related question.

“Each of the players have lifetime scholarships,” he said. “If you chose to leave after a year, you can always come back. If you chose to stay, two years, three years, four years, we are here for you. This is solely based on them and that is why the relationships are the way they are.”

Kentucky is doing what is doing what is right for the players, he said.

I wish I could coach them four years. Think of some of the teams I would have had if we had guys for four years. …I would love for them to stay, but I am not going to ask them stay for me. When kids choose to leave it’s based on what they want for themselves and their families.”

As for playing UCLA at this stage in the tournament, Calipari said the Bruins likely would have been a one seed had they not lost in the conference tournament.

“I’m not going to get into the seeds over the years,” he said making reference to the disadvantage of being a higher seed having to play UCLA in California.

“Playing this game is kind of how it played out. …I thought the (selection) committee this year – because they were more transparent – it was the least arguments we’ve had in the last eight years.

“So I would tell them to be more transparent, keep being transparent, talk about league tournaments before they are played,” he said. “What is the significance of a league tournament this year. Tell us…The more transparency, the less arguments.

The tournament, he said, is about the games.

“This thing here – other than I am in Memphis, and I knew I would get some Memphis questions – this is about two unbelievably talented teams. That’s what this is. People are going to watch this game not because I am coaching and not because I came back to Memphis and not because (UCLA’s) Steve (Alford) is coaching. They are going to watch it because this is a talented two teams.

“And it should be a lot of fun.”