No Escaping the Past for John Calipari as BBN Dynamics Hands Arkansas 4th Consecutive SEC Loss

When John Calipari took over at Arkansas, it was supposed to be the dawn of a new era. A fresh start, right? Well, the ghosts of his Kentucky past refuse to let go. As Arkansas lost its fourth consecutive SEC game, the echoes of Cal’s 15-year tenure at Kentucky came back to haunt him. This time, Big Blue Nation (BBN) delivered the sting in the form of the LSU squad and a former Kentucky player’s moment on the court.

The game ended in heartbreak for Arkansas as Daimion Collins, the same baller who once donned Kentucky’s blue—blocked Adou Thiero’s game-tying attempt in the final seconds. Thiero, also a Kentucky former, and Calipari’s team lost 78-74.

A  BBN connection decided Arkansas’ fate, handing Cal his fourth SEC loss of the season. Tuesday was a chance for both teams to snap their skid and secure their first conference win. But instead, the Razorbacks found themselves on the wrong side of history again.

Their three previous SEC losses came against then-No. 1 Tennessee, then-No. 23 Ole Miss, and then-No. 8 Florida. These weren’t just close calls either; each game showed glaring issues Arkansas is yet to solve. And this time as well, the turn went in the Tigers’ favor, as LSU’s Cam Carter and Jonas Aidoo dominated key moments and a 20-3 run in the second half.

To be fair, Arkansas men didn’t exactly roll over. They started strong, with Johnell Davis and Aidoo combining for 18 points in the first half. Davis splashed two triples while Aidoo grabbed eight rebounds and swatted away two shots. 

At halftime, the Razorbacks clung to a 36-34 lead, with hope that this might finally be their breakthrough. But LSU had other plans. After an eight-point lead early in the second half, the Tigers’ offense exploded. 

Their 20-3 run shifted the momentum. And just like that, the Razorbacks were left wondering how they let this one slip away. Meanwhile, back in Kentucky…

John Calipari’s former clinches another top-15 win

On the same night, Calipari’s former stomping grounds were buzzing with another SEC win. Kentucky’s Wildcats (14-3, 3-1 SEC) rallied for an 81-69 victory over No. 11 Texas A&M, marking their second consecutive top-15 win. 

After a rocky start (missing 14 of their first 19 shots), the Wildcats found its groove thanks to Jaxson Robinson, who lit up the boards with 22 points and eight rebounds. Robinson hit five three-pointers, including a trio late in the first half that turned the game on its head.

In the final minutes before halftime, Robinson drilled back-to-back triples, gesturing toward the Aggies’ bench with a little extra flair (and earning himself a technical foul for his troubles). But he wasn’t done. With just seconds to spare, he knocked down another three to send Kentucky into halftime with a 35-32 lead. 

From there, the Wildcats took off, opening the second half with a 13-0 run that put the game out of reach. By the end, the UK’s improved shooting (60.9% in the second half) overwhelmed the Aggies, and they won their third SEC game despite a few controversial calls that even had coach Mark Pope react.

So, all cheers for them while John Calipari and his crew need to do something- and fast.  The coach’s history with Kentucky will always be part of his story. Hence, comparisons are inevitable. But with March Madness looming, Arkansas’ must find their footing soon. Until then, let’s see when/ if they can bounce back before it’s too late.