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Calipari says comment about campus scandals wasn't directed at Louisville

Bob Donnan / Reuters

John Calipari has never been shy about voicing his opinion, but he is annoyed by how his comments are often misinterpreted.

The Kentucky head coach appeared on ESPN's "Mike and Mike" on Thursday and said his recent words, which many felt were a shot at Louisville and Rick Pitino, weren't meant to be that at all.

"It was never - it was a general statement," Calipari said, according to Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News.

Calipari recently said, "If it happens on your campus and it happens with your assistants and those people, you probably have a pretty good idea what’s going on." Many interpreted it as reference to the Louisville escort scandal that forced the Cardinals to self-impose a postseason ban last season.

The 57-year-old also said Thursday that no matter what he says, people will find a way to make something out of it.

"If I say something, what did I mean by that?" Calipari said. "I said, ‘It’s really nice out.’ Who’s he killing? ‘The weather’s great.’ It must be raining on somebody, then. This stuff is blown up more than it should be. And if he took it wrong, I apologize. If anybody did … it wasn’t intended that way."

Louisville and Kentucky are major rivals, so it's not surprising to see people assume Calipari's comments were intended to ruffle the feathers of the Cardinals. Despite the rivalry, though, Calipari explained he respects Pitino.

"Look, we’re 90 minutes from each other," Calipari said. "We’re trying to rip each other’s throats out when we play. But other than that, I don’t have time. I’ve got (to) coach my guys. He’s coaching his guys. We both have got our own things going. I respect him as a coach. He’s a Hall of Famer! I know how good he is."

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