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Watch: Kentucky's John Calipari rejects SEC reporter's question

By Alex Butler
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari looks to the referee after getting a bench warning in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on February 21, 2017. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
1 of 3 | Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari looks to the referee after getting a bench warning in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on February 21, 2017. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Mizzou Arena echoed with chants of 'Cal you suck' at halftime of Kentucky's 72-62 win Tuesday at Missouri.

That, and the Wildcats' one-point lead, had coach John Calipari a little on edge.

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When SEC Network reporter Laura Rutledge went to the Hall of Fame coach for a halftime interview, he let off some steam in a very passive aggressive manner.

"They played well and we are missing layups, and dunks, and free throws," Calipari said when he answered the first question. "I can't believe we are up one. But we will see what we do in the second half."

Rutledge then mumbled out the first part of her second questioned and a stunned Calipari said "huh?"

"How would you describe this student section here," Rutledge asked, as the chants nearly drowned out the interview.

The coach simply looked away from Rutledge and onto the court, before quickly walking away into the locker room without giving a response.

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Calipari said Rutledge apologized for the question.

"By the way, at halftime, the girl [Rutledge] asked me a question – folks, she came over to apologize after the game," Calipari said in his postgame press conference. "I'm like, 'I don't even know what you're talking about. I have no idea.' If the other team, if I walk in the building and they're not cussing me, booing me, I will retire. It's time to retire. If I walk in an opponent's court and they're cheering me, either you should fire me or I should be retired. She looked at me and said, 'I apologize.' 'What? I don't even know what you're talking about. We just Missouri, I'm happy as heck. Beat it, you're good. Don't worry about me."

Kentucky [23-5] hosts Florida [23-5] at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rupp Arena.

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