Kentucky returns home to adoring fans

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (AP) ― Another championship banner has been unfurled at Rupp Arena.

Kentucky’s basketball team returned home to its adoring fans Tuesday, after defeating Kansas 67-59 Monday night to win the school’s eighth NCAA championship.

Blue-clad fans erupted into deafening cheers as the team pulled into the packed arena aboard a sleek blue bus emblazoned with “national champions.”

It was a joyous curtain call for a team led by a talented group of freshmen and sophomores. The NBA likely beckons next for several of them.

Each team member was introduced to loud ovations as players and coaches took the stage in the middle of the arena. Senior Darius Miller, a basketball net draped around his neck, toted the NCAA championship trophy to a table. Coach John Calipari pumped his fist and raised his arms in triumph as he basked in the cheers.

“You know why we won the national title? Folks, we have the best players and we have the best team,” he said as the crowd erupted.

Calipari reminded the crowd that his goal three seasons ago when he took the Kentucky coaching job was to restore the Wildcats to the “gold standard” in college basketball and to raise more championship banners.

Then on cue, the 2012 title banner slowly unfurled from the rafters at Rupp as the Kentucky pep band played and fans cheered.

Calipari thanked the fans and said there were about 5,000 that welcomed the team at the airport and more lined the streets between the airport and Rupp Arena.

“You people never cease to amaze me,” he told the crowd.

Calipari praised the chemistry of a team stocked with future NBA players.

“Just talent alone, folks, does not get it done,” he said. “It doesn’t. These young men sacrificed for each other. They respected one another.”

He noted that Miller, a starter in the past, accepted his role as a key backup player in his senior season.

Obama congratulates Kentucky

WASHINGTON (AP) ― President Barack Obama has called coach John Calipari to congratulate the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team on winning the NCAA championship.

Obama told Calipari that “his team played with class and dignity and that it was a great game to watch.” Calipari passed the phone to center Anthony Davis and the president congratulated Davis, a Chicago native, for earning the Most Outstanding Player award at the Final Four.

Kentucky defeated Kansas 67-59 Monday night to win the school’s eighth NCAA championship.

Obama commended Calipari on his first NCAA championship and said he looks forward to congratulating the entire team in person and receiving his own Wildcats’ jersey at the White House.