You know, Arkansas trailed for just 63 seconds in regulation against Texas Tech—but turns out, that was all it took to end their season. Everything was going the Razorbacks’ way. Fans were already dreaming…the perfect Cinderella story, John Calipari’s magical debut season, a deep tourney run. Up by 16 with 10 minutes left, it seemed their game. But then, Texas Tech said, “Not so fast.” And just like that, Arkansas’ dance ended in a heartbreak Thursday night at the Sweet 16.  

Entering the game, Arkansas was one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the country—265th in the nation at just 32.4%. But they came out looking like prime Golden State, draining seven threes by halftime on 50% shooting. This was the same squad that went 2-for-19 from deep against St. John’s last weekend, so yes, Texas Tech probably didn’t see that coming. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders, a team that actually does shoot well from deep, couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn—just 3-for-18 in the first half.

Arkansas took full advantage, ripping off a 15-2 run and going up by as much as 13. Everything was clicking. But, you know how March works. That hot shooting? It vanished. The Razorbacks still controlled the paint, but Texas Tech finally found its groove. Down 13 with six minutes left, the Red Raiders went on a 16-3 run. And with nine seconds left, Darrion Williams buried a cold-blooded three to tie it up.

Overtime was a disaster for Arkansas. A basket interference call handed Texas Tech its first lead since the first half. Brazile tried to keep the Hogs alive, but Williams had the last word. Game-winning bucket. Seven seconds left. 83-85. And just like that, the biggest blown lead of the Sweet 16 was in the books.

But you know, nobody seems to get over that one decision. Or lack of one. Because, uh… why didn’t Coach Cal call a timeout? Seven seconds left, season on the line, and he lets it play out? There was enough time for the coach to call a timeout and draw up a play for his team with the season on the line.

An ESPN host, Matt Jones, summed it up, writing on X, “Deflate the ball. Don’t foul down 3. No Timeout. Long 2. Heck of a season turnaround by Cal, but some things never change.” And others rallied in the comment section to bash the coach’s move.

Fans call out John Calipari after Arkansas collapse

“Classic Calipari not calling a timeout when it matters,” one wrote. Did anyone else get flashbacks to 2017? Kentucky, Elite Eight, tied at 73 after Malik Monk drilled a clutch three with 9 seconds left. Cal lets them play it out, North Carolina runs down the court, and boom—Luke Maye hits the game-winner with 0.3 seconds on the clock. Season over. 

Well, same story, same frustration. So yes, this isn’t new. “Genuinely no clue why you don’t call a timeout there,” another added. This one couldn’t wrap their head around why a timeout wasn’t called, especially considering what Arkansas had to do to even get here. 

Taking down a national contender like St. John’s? Leading this game up until the final moments? Just to lose like that? Calipari has said before that he prefers to let his guys play instead of calling timeouts, hoping to exploit a scrambling defense. But, and this is a big but, when you’ve got a young and inexperienced team, maybe, just maybe, a timeout could’ve helped. Would that have changed things today? We’ll never know.

And then, one fan felt for Wagner as they penned, “I feel bad for DJ…” He put up 13 points, snagged 3 rebounds, and had two chances to be the hero. That jumper earlier? Clanked. The final shot? Just wouldn’t fall. It stings even more because he was hot.  And had Calipari called that timeout? Who knows, maybe DJ would’ve had a cleaner look, maybe Arkansas would still be dancing. Then came the inevitable take—“great recruiter… that’s it.” 

And undoubtedly, Calipari is the best recruiter. Remember 2012? He built that Kentucky superteam—Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquise Teague, Kyle Wiltjer. That squad didn’t just have talent, they went 38-2, ran through the SEC, and won a national championship. And he still got it. He’s already locked in Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff for 2025, two top-10 recruits.

But you know it’s a tough take that can ONLY recruit. Arkansas was in a downward spiral before he got here, and now, Sweet 16. That’s a massive turnaround. This season is done. Now, for next year, he’s got his guys. Let’s see if he proves he can do both. 

Some folks had Cal’s back. “The analytics say don’t foul with > 10 seconds left. And the long 2 was DJ forgetting how to play basketball. Not really Cal’s fault,” one argued. He meant that the real issue was Wagner taking that shot way too early. Working the clock could’ve been the smarter move. 

But, at the end of the day, Arkansas lost. Whose fault was it? Maybe Cal, maybe the players, maybe just bad luck. But it can’t be denied that everyone fought, everyone left it all on the floor. It just wasn’t their night.