John Calipari’s Arkansas managed to achieve the impossible by securing a direct entry to the big dance. But does that end their troubles? Not at all! The problems keep piling up! The Hogs will begin their March madness journey against the program that started the season as the number 1 seed- Kansas Jayhawks. To make matters worse, coach Cal will be without his top scorer.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Calipari has confirmed that junior forward Adou Thiero, who has been sidelined with a hyperextended knee since a February 22 victory over Missouri, won’t be playing in the first-round game making it all the more difficult for the Hogs to overcome the Jayhawks.

Theiro was averaging 15.6 points and 6 rebounds. He hasn’t played since a Feb. 22 win over Missouri. He’s been out for six games with a hyperextended knee. With a squad already struggling with injuries, coach Cal has been forced to rely on just seven players. But there’s hope for the Razorbacks. Boogie Fland has been cleared to play against the Jayhawks in the first round. Before his injury, Fland was averaging nearly 15 points and 6 assists. His return could be just what Arkansas needs to make a push in the big dance.

Calipari is eager to make a better run in March Madness this year. Last year, his Kentucky team had a nightmare, losing in the first round to the number 14 seed Oakland. But this year, he’s already frustrated. He’s upset that Arkansas was placed in the Providence sub-region instead of Lexington. Let’s see what he had to say about it.

Calipari finds humor in committee decision

Prior to the build of the game Coach Cal addressed the issue of Arkansas being sent to Providence instead of Lexington. He said, “When I saw we weren’t there, I’m like, wow, somebody must have been sick and went to the bathroom or something for them not the put us there,”

On the flip side, Calipari who has Italian roots is excited about the prospect of traveling to Rhode Island’s capital and experience their restaurants. “Italian city,” he said, throwing his arms around in celebration. “We already went out to Federal Hill, went under The Pineapple. Let’s go. Had a nice meal last night. Like I said, last time we came here it was a lot of fun. … I love Providence. I do. It’s been one of those places.”

John Calipari can joke all he wants but he knows the game ahead against Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks won’t be easy. His squad was the youngest in the SEC this year, and now they face the seasoned veterans of Kansas, including 5th-year seniors Hunter Dickinson and Dajuan Harris. With injury concerns to handle, ESPN gives the Jayhawks a 71% chance of advancing to the second round. Stay tuned for more updates!