John Calipari put on a coaching clinic on his first night back at Rupp Arena! Against all odds, Arkansas Razorbacks snatched an important victory from Kentucky. Many narratives surrounded this game, making it an important night for Calipari. Most importantly, playing your former team for the first time is no easy task, especially with the way he had left Kentucky. Besides emotions running high seeing the white jersey, there is one thing that Calipari can’t match his eye. But guess who?

However, the way the Pennsylvania-born had set this game up was brilliant. Throughout the entire season, Arkansas struggled to hit shots from deep. Making an average of around 5.7 threes per game was not cutting it for the Hogs, however, they did turn it around. Against the Wildcats, they shot an impressive 52% from three, making thirteen shots against the Blue Nation.

“We needed to win a game. So it didn’t matter who it was against. I made it clear that it was a privilege and an honor to coach here [Kentucky]. We had fifteen unbelievable years, a great run,” Calipari said in the post-game interview, but he had no bad words for the Wildcats and their organization. Even though their journey together ended poorly, coach Cal only focused on the good parts given his long tenure there. There is no denying that he had a strong presence in Kentucky, and the bitter end has only made things worse for him back at his then-home, Rupp Arena.

Reporters and analysts alike took the win to be a good indicator of Arkansas’ future SEC exploits. Some Razorbacks fans are even saying that the team was ‘built for March’, but the record does not define their true caliber. The Hogs will go back with high morale, but they need to capitalize on the success that they are having right now. But the pain is deep, so a section of fans aren’t expecting much from Arkansas.

Fans keep Calipari on watch despite the win

Social media has gone wild after this SEC upset as usual. The 65-year-old’s triumph in his former backyard Lexington has earned him heaps of praise from most Razorbacks fans and analysts alike. But is it that easy to win over fans? Some Hogs supporters aren’t settling this easily. After such a bad conference slump, they can’t put their faith in John Calipari so soon. And some don’t believe that he’s ‘all that.’

One fan expressed the same on X, “I think John Calipari is overrated but congrats on your win going back to Kentucky.” A few in the world do not believe in handing over the certificate early. This one seemed to be one. Like many, this user was not buying the hype surrounding the Rupp Arena win. Is Calipari listening?

 

A suspicious Kentucky fan was quick to discard Cali’s praise for his Kentucky counterpart, Mark Pope. He tweeted, “What John Calipari thinks is irrelevant to the betterment of this program. And that’s been the case since he cam to UK.” In the post-match conference, coach Cal had nothing but praise for the Kentucky Wildcats HC. He pointed out that even with an exceptional shooting night, the match could have gone either way.

When the spotlight is on you, how can you not be the target of critics? A couple of X users seemed to just dislike Calipari. “Man. That John Calipari guy cant coach for shit… lol” felt one, while the other was a little more extreme. “John Calipari is still the best in the world at making me want to k-ll myself.”

With bad comes the good too. And vice versa. however, it was not all bad for the 3x Naismith College Coach of the Year. In reaction to his post-game interview, a lot of long-time Kentucky loyalists praised their former ‘man’. In the crowd of boos, a fan stood by Calipari,

“Congrats cal, happy for ya. Missed ya on our side tonight. Will always cherish the times you gave us!” Cal will be happy reading this!

Beyond criticism, the Arkansas Razorbacks have a new burst of energy after winning this special game. It has been on their calendar for a while, and to get a win must truly feel amazing. The Hogs’ coach still has a long way to go if his boys are to make a comeback, but this is the best possible start they could have in their revival effort. What do you think? Can Calipari take his team to the tournament this season? Will Arkansas make a comeback? Only time will tell.