"Look you're bothering me": John Calipari yanks "Chatty Cathy" Karl Anthony Towns' chain before Arkansas press conference
John Calipari opened his postgame press conference on Tuesday with a surprise guest, talking to New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns via speakerphone. The Arkansas coach let the media hear his conversation with Towns, who played for him at Kentucky in the 2014-2015 season before moving to the NBA.
Calipari was in a celebratory mood as his Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off an 89-87 victory over the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines in the Jimmy V Classic. Five players scored in double figures for the Razorbacks, who improved to 8-2 with the victory.
Calipari entered the Madison Square Garden press room holding a phone in his right hand, revealing to reporters that Towns was the person talking on the other end of the line.
"That's Karl Towns. He doesn't stop. He's talked his whole life," Calipari told the press.
Towns continued talking to his former coach, unaware that journalists were now listening to their conversation. Eventually, Calipari came clean to the Knicks big man.
"So the media is now listening to you," Calipari said.
That didn't stop Towns from talking to Calipari.
"Oh good. I saw your big guys shooting threes. I don't know what in the hell must have happened. You must have had an epiphany," Towns said.
Calipari had a quick reply to his former star player.
"Because I watch you shooting threes now and I say you won a game last night shooting threes. I'm gonna let these guys shoot threes. But one thing I'll tell you, you make free throws. You couldn't guard pick-and-roll defense, you still can't," Calipari said.
Towns laughed at Calipari's remarks before the Razorbacks coach ended the conversation with one final message to the NBA star.
"I'm in front of the media. Look you're bothering me. You know I love you. You're the best," Calipari said before hanging up.
Calipari had to get the final word in before starting his press conference, funnily describing Towns as "Chatty Cathy."
John Calipari leads Arkansas to come-from-behind win over Michigan
John Calipari looked relaxed and happy in the press room as he finally watched the Arkansas Razorbacks beat a top 25 team this season. The Hogs did it the hard way, though, surviving a late rally from Michigan to record their third straight win.
Arkansas unleashed a 57-24 run bridging the first and second periods, turning a 36-21 deficit into a 78-60 lead with 10:15 remaining. The Wolverines came storming back, cutting the Razorbacks' lead to one point with 1:28 left. Michigan's rally fell short, though, as it failed to score a basket in the final 88 seconds of the contest.
Boogie Fland starred for Arkansas, scoring 20 points and dishing out seven assists. D.J. Wagner added 16 points on 7 of 12 shooting.