Entering the first round of March Madness, the number three-seeded Kentucky basketball was a strong favorite in the South Regional part of the bracket. Oakland basketball didn't seem to like that, however. Playing spoiler, the Golden Grizzlies just carved out an 80-76 upset over Reed Sheppard and the Wildcats on Thursday.

Losing to a 14th seed isn't really the best way to follow up a 23-9 regular-season record, so as expected, Kentucky fans weren't happy.

One user referenced the hype surrounding Sheppard for the upcoming NBA draft. No announcement has been made by the freshman as of yet, but many are speculating Sheppard to be a top pick if he ever decides to turn pro this year.

Others directed their ire toward longtime head coach John Calipari.

 

Knowing how the Wildcats suffered another first-round loss just two years ago, the references were bound to take place.

Safe to say, it would be best if Sheppard, Coach Cal and the rest of the team switch off their social media accounts right now. Aside from the backlash, those rooting against Kentucky are having a field day.

Kentucky basketball falls short

Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves (12) goes to the basket against Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Chris Conway (2) in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Wildcats had no answer to Jack Gohlke, who sank ten three-pointers en route to a 32-point outing. The six-foot-three senior played 36 minutes off the bench, sinking seven of his ten downtown makes during the first half.

Following a 2nd-half shooting barrage from Antonio Reeves, Kentucky basketball was down by just four with 1:17 left in the game. A Rob Dillingham three cut the deficit to one, 75-74. However, Oakland's DQ Cole responded with a three himself — a dagger from the corner with 37 seconds remaining. A missed Kentucky attempt led to free throws by Oakland, who eventually sealed the game with an additional point.

Reeves led the Wildcats with 27 points while forward Tre Mitchell added a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.

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What happens to Kentucky now?

Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) shoots the ball during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center
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Kentucky basketball's early March Madness exits are now being brought up in the aftermath of Friday's game. Besides the aforementioned first-round elimination in 2022, the Wildcats were also trounced in the second round of 2023's tournament. In relation to that, the team missed the Big Dance in 2021.

Two questions surround the team moving forward: Is John Calipari staying as head coach? And secondly, will Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham declare their names in the upcoming draft?

The first one will be a major decision. If Kentucky chooses to let go of their seasoned HC, they would need to pay him 75% of the value remaining on his deal, which is around $33 million. No matter how much backlash the man gets, that's no small amount of money, so Kentucky will have to tread carefully before making a choice.

And despite the quiet results in recent years, Coach Cal still has one heck of a resume. A three-time Naismith Coach of the Year Awardee, Calipari won the NCAA Championship with Kentucky in 2012. He was also named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. All in all, the HC amassed 808 (NCAA-recognized) wins throughout his tenures with Kentucky, Memphis and Massachusetts.

As for Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, they're two of the top three scorers in the current Wildcats roster. Sheppard averages 12.8 points per game on a 52.5% three-point percentage in addition to tallying  4.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Dillingham, on the other hand, puts up 15.4 points and 3.9 assists per game. Both freshmen rank behind Antonio Reeves (20.0 ppg) in scoring.

Reeves is a fifth-year senior, so he'll be turning pro already. Sheppard and Dillingham, on the other hand, have the option to return for another year. If they do decide to depart as well, Kentucky will have to bank on upcoming blue-chip recruits (as is the tradition) and current holdovers for next season's campaign.

All in all, things are uncertain in the Bluegrass State for now.