Archie Goodwin reveals why he struggled at Kentucky in lone year in college
For the first time in over a decade, Archie Goodwin is telling his side of the story.
The former Kentucky guard—once a blue-chip recruit and centerpiece of John Calipari’s 2012-13 squad—opened up on Kentucky Sports Radio about the most forgettable season of the Calipari era. One year removed from the program’s eighth national title and a freshman class led by Anthony Davis, Goodwin stepped into a rebuilding year that quickly spiraled.
Kentucky limped to a 21-12 record, lost four of its last five, and missed the NCAA Tournament entirely. The final blow? A stunning 59-57 loss to Robert Morris in the NIT, played on the road due to Rupp Arena scheduling conflicts.
Goodwin was often blamed—his tunnel-vision drives became symbolic of a team that never gelled. But now, over a decade later, he finally feels ready to explain.
“I thrived when I was playing point guard,” Goodwin said. “That was my natural role in Cal’s system. When Ryan came back and I moved to the two, it changed everything. Suddenly I’m being used like a catch-and-shoot guy—and that’s never been my game.” Ryan being point guard Ryan Harrow.
He described the offense as mismatched for his style: fast, slashing, downhill. But without the ball in his hands, he struggled to get into rhythm. The numbers—and the fan perception—dipped fast. Goodwin shot only 44% from the field taking around 11 shots per game.
“People thought I was getting worse. I wasn’t. I was just being used differently,” he said.
Goodwin emphasized he wasn’t throwing Cal under the bus. “I had conversations with Coach. I asked to stay at point. He told me he needed me on the floor and Ryan had to play the one. I get it. But it hurt us.”
He also acknowledged the weight he carried as the team’s leading scorer.
“I caught a lot of slack—and I’ll take it on the chest. But I’ve never had the chance to explain.”
Now, he has. And for Big Blue Nation, it offers long-awaited clarity on a chaotic season that many fans tried to forget, and one player never got to fully explain—until now.