Matt Jones

The John Calipari era at Kentucky is likely over after the loss to Oakland

I think this might be worse [than the St. Peters loss]. It's terrible. You know, lose to St. Peters and Oakland, two of the last three years, and I think probably the end of the Calipari era. There's a really good chance. I mean, I don't think it's certain, but I think a lot of the fans want that.

It is no longer possible to win a National Championship relying primarily on freshmen in the NIL/Portal era

Cal needs to change back because Jay Wright tonight said it the best because of NIL. These dudes are staying in college longer... You're gonna see good players stay in college for three and four years. And I just don't know if you can win with freshmen anymore because these... two of the starters on Oakland were 24 years old. We're starting three guys that are 18. That's a big difference.

Kentucky should not hire a coach like Dana Altman because the program requires a 'rockstar' personality

I think at this job though... you have to be a rockstar to be at this job. Like this is a hard job in the state of Kentucky. This is what we do. ... So you can't be like, Dana Altman looks like an accountant. You can't be an accountant. You have to be a rockstar.

Tyler Herro will be a top 20 pick in the NBA Draft

The key for Kentucky is your boy Tyler Herro from Wisconsin... he's been awesome. He's going to end up a top 20 pick in the NBA draft.

Rick Pitino will attend the Minnesota vs. Louisville game despite saying he won't

[Rick Pitino] swears he will not [be at the Minnesota vs. Louisville game], but that of course means he will. He will be sitting behind the Minnesota bench. He'll have on a Greek scarf. His hair will be fluffed up.

UC Irvine will upset Kansas State and reach the Sweet 16

I'll tell a big upset I like. I like UC Irvine to the Sweet 16. They play Kansas State. Dean Wade's not going to play. I don't like Kansas State at all... And UC Irvine's the only team in the tournament with 30 wins.

Virginia will never win anything because they play the worst form of basketball

You couldn't make me bet on Virginia. Virginia was never going to win anything. I still think they're the worst form of basketball. Only nerds like them... I just cannot believe that college basketball karma would let the Cavaliers go to a Final Four. I'm picking them to lose again.

The 2019 National Champion will come from a group of six elite teams: Duke, Kentucky, UNC, Tennessee, Virginia, or Gonzaga

I would probably say Duke one. I would say Kentucky and Carolina kind of 2A, 2B. And then probably Tennessee, Virginia, Gonzaga. And then I think everybody else kind of sucks. I think the champ's going to be one of those six. I would take, if you gave me those six against the field, I would bet everything.

John Beilein is the best pure X and O coach in college basketball

I actually think the best pure X and O coach in the tournament is John Beilein. Because even though everywhere he goes, they do better than they should, he never has guys that are super talented... as a pure coach, he's the best in the country.

Kansas and Arizona are the two schools most at risk in the FBI scandal

The FBI scandal, the thing that no one talks about is I think Kansas and Arizona are the two schools most at risk, but your boys down at Duke, I'd be nervous if I were them because Jeff Capel kind of buddies with those with these dudes that are implicated in the FBI.

Virginia will not win the championship because their style of basketball is too terrible

I can tell you the team that's not going to win. I guarantee you Virginia won't win because God does not allow that terrible form of basketball to win a championship.

Grayson Allen is the biggest villain in college basketball of the last 20 years

I am going to miss the end of the Grayson Allen era, who I think is the biggest villain in college basketball in like 20 years.

Kentucky fans will be fine with John Calipari if he reaches the Sweet 16 this year

Probably Sweet 16. You get to the Sweet 16, considering how bad they were most of the year, I think fans would be completely fine.

The 2017-18 college basketball season is Duke's to lose

I think by the end of the year, they [Kentucky] can be good. But this year, it's Duke's to lose.

Kentucky's current freshmen are not good enough to go to the NBA and will all return

I honestly think this year's freshmen aren't good enough for to go to the NBA. That's what's weird about this group. But what that means is they're all going to come back.

Rick Pitino will lose his $38 million lawsuit against Louisville

Rick Pitino, he is suing Louisville for $38 million. Is he going to win? No.

The Louisville scandal is brazen because it happened one month after they were put on probation

The part that really affects Louisville is basically an Adidas guy met with a Louisville assistant coach... one month after Louisville had agreed to their probation with the NCAA. One month later, they have him on tape in a hotel meeting with Adidas and saying he needs $100,000 to get a player to Louisville.

Shoe companies should be allowed to pay college athletes

I actually think this should be allowed, to be quite frank with you. I think the shoe companies are the ones who should be able to pay.

Kentucky fans will eventually miss hating Rick Pitino

I think Kentucky fans are going to miss Rick Pitino. Hating Rick Pitino was awesome. He was the perfect villain. And I actually think I'm going to miss him.

John Calipari will stay at Kentucky until he retires, then go into broadcasting or politics

I actually think he'll retire here and then he'll go into broadcasting. Or he talks about privately running for Senate. And I know that seems crazy, but I could totally see him in four years running against Mitch McConnell.

John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will eventually play together in the NBA

I actually think there's a decent – I think [John Wall] and [DeMarcus Cousins] will play together before they're done. They've been saying that for years.

John Calipari needs a second national title to be considered a legendary coach

I actually do believe before he's done, if he's going to be one of the best, he's got to win two [titles]. Otherwise, he's a really good coach. But I do think it takes two to actually be like, consider one of the 15 best ever coach. ... what takes you from the you were a great coach to you were a legend is that second one.

Kentucky football will go 8-4 in 2017

I think they're going 8-4. You know, they beat Louisville this year, went to a bowl for the first time.