“Billy Gillispie is out as coach of Kentucky, and the school has called a 4:30 p.m. news conference to announce the change, the Wildcats have told ESPN.com.”

ESPN STORY

WHAS11 is indirectly affiliated with ESPN through Disney, but I don’t expect UK to be issuing any denials this time.

I am somewhat surprised to hear that they actually will hold a press conference to discuss this. I’m guessing there are going to be a lot of questions answered with something along the lines of “no comment”. It will also be interesting to see who is in attendance. Will it just be a spokesman at the podium or will Mitch Barnhart, Lee Todd, and maybe even Billy Gillispie show up?

With this occuring so late, I think it’s now safe to say that no announcement regarding a replacement will be made until Monday at the earliest.

Also, Larry Vaught of KentuckySportsReport.com is reporting that UK has been in contact with the representation of three potential coaches: Billy Donovan, Travis Ford, aaaaaaaand John Calipari. I also heard another separate rumor about a 7 year $28 million offer extended to Calipari. His Memphis team just lost last night (and the Pinkie crew was joking about him doing so intentionally, including willing that 3/4 court bomb to go in at halftime), so he’s available.

The plot thickens folks, and for the second time in three years, Kentucky Basketball is centerstage late in the NCAA Tournament for all the wrong reasons.