The Kentucky Wildcats made some noise on social media Saturday following their early exit.
After a tough in-conference loss to No. 18 Arkansas, John Calipari‘s squad could be seen leaving the bench with four seconds left on the clock and a Razorback on the line.
Kentucky players leaving the court early no handshakes pic.twitter.com/y0ip7Cch3N
— Ted Budd 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) February 26, 2022
College hoops fans everywhere reacted to the Wildcats’ walk-off.
“Kentucky walking off the court without a handshake line?” asked sports writer Dudley E. Dawson. “Strange.”
Kentucky walking off the court without a handshake line? Strange.
— Dudley E. Dawson (@Dedsports) February 26, 2022
“I’ve seen coaches refuse handshakes, but I’ve never seen an entire bench just up and leave the court like Kentucky just did…” an Arkansas fan tweeted. “What in the sore loser hell??”
I’ve seen coaches refuse handshakes, but I’ve never seen an entire bench just up and leave the court like Kentucky just did… What in the sore loser hell??
— Woo Pig Dustino (@DustinoTheGreat) February 26, 2022
“No handshake line after Arkansas vs Kentucky?” asked Jon Becker. “Is this really a thing now?”
No handshake line after Arkansas vs Kentucky? Is this really a thing now?
— Jon Becker (@jonbecker) February 26, 2022
“Was that unsportsmanlike for 6-Kentucky to leave the court and head to the locker room before the game was over when the loss to 18-Arkansas was imminent?” David Edelstein asked in a Twitter poll.
🏀 Was that unsportsmanlike for 6-Kentucky to leave the court and head to the locker room before the game was over when the loss to 18-Arkansas was imminent?
Just leave without a handshake line or anything.
— David Edelstein (@davidzedelstein) February 26, 2022
“Kentucky hasn’t shaken hands in a month since they got a Covid exposure in the handshake like in the Kansas game,” noted a Wildcats fan. “I agree it’s stupid but it has nothing to do with this game.”
Kentucky hasn’t shaken hands in a month since they got a Covid exposure in the handshake like in the Kansas game. I agree it’s stupid but it has nothing to do with this game.
— Chris Rose (@ChrisRoseBBN) February 26, 2022
After the post-game altercation between Michigan and Wisconsin in last weekend’s handshake line, some thought it should be banned. However, it appears UK isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary; despite the optics of Saturday’s loss.
It’s also possible that Kentucky may have left early to avoid fans potentially storming the court, albeit the fans stayed in their seats after the final whistle.
The post Kentucky Basketball Team Walks Off Court Early: Fans React appeared first on The Spun.