Former Kentucky star Rex Chapman was a hit on Saturday night’s Final Four Teamcast on TNT but made an even bigger splash before Monday night’s national championship. An hour before tip-off, Chapman tweeted that John Calipari will leave Kentucky after the season to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a done deal, according to Chapman.

Was messin’ ’round on Sat nite re: Cal. But word is – win or lose 2nite – it’s a #DoneDeal …Cal 2 La-La-Land 2 coach Mamba’s Lakers. #NoBS — Rex Chapman (@rexchapman) April 7, 2014

As if to show he’s dialed into Calipari news, Chapman later tweeted a picture of him standing alongside William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley, the basketball power broker with close ties to Coach Cal.

While Wildcat Nation pounced on the news, mostly by criticizing Chapman and his timing, Chapman held firm. It was news, he said. Why shouldn’t he share it?

To whom? Not a chance. Gimmie a break. “@DanVanBeck: @rexchapman Will you issue an apology concerning your decision to air the Cal to LA tw” — Rex Chapman (@rexchapman) April 8, 2014

Chapman later pondered who would replace Calipari, with Arizona’s Sean Miller and VCU’s Shaka Smart as his theoretical candidates.

Fast forward 12 hours and Chapman was whistling a different tune. He went on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday morning and clarified his statements. Now he thinks Calipari will stay at Kentucky and will only use the Lakers discussions (if they even exist) as leverage. As for that tweet from last night? He used the phrasing “word is,” you see, which supposedly overrides the far-more-definitive “done deal” in some kind of warped logic that only Rex Chapman understands.

“I’ve been dealing with the uninformed [in Kentucky] since I was 17. I’m 46, it’s sure [not going to bother me now].”

The biggest question is whether he’s talking about fans or himself?

UPDATE:

Chapman later went on Fox Sports Radio with Jay Mohr and reiterated the “word is” argument.