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John Calipari reminds Kentucky fans to remain classy in defeat

SEC Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinals

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against the Georgia Bulldogs during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Before traveling to Phoenix for the Final Four festivities, Kentucky head coach John Calipari used his Twitter account in an effort to diffuse the anger members of Big Blue Nation have directed at a referee following a heartbreaking loss in the Elite Eight.

In the days following the season-ending loss to North Carolina, some fans -- not all -- have harassed official John Higgins. They’ve flooded the Facebook page of his roofing business, leaving negative reviews and lowering his company’s star rating. Some have gone even more extreme, going as far as sending death threats over the phone.

Based on the replies, some have received the message. Others haven’t. The latter, despite it being a small but vocal group, can, unfortunately, paint a fan base with a broad brush.