Rivalries are constructed on nights like this. And Arkansas players made sure Kentucky fans knew precisely how they felt following the 89-79 victory in Rupp Arena on Saturday night. 

As they headed back to the locker room, Razorbacks guard Johnell Davis delivered a stark message: “We know who the real Kentucky is. Get the f*** outta here.” Not to be outdone, Arkansas big man Zvonimir Ivisic, who goes by “Big Z,” tossed in his own declaration: “We run Kentucky for now.”

The bold words came after a dominating performance against Kentucky for the first time since leaving Lexington when new Arkansas head coach John Calipari faced his former team. Calipari, who had so much success building a legacy at Kentucky, seemed to have a little extra motivation, out coaching Mark Pope in a game that felt like a redemption arc for the veteran coach.

Meanwhile, Davis’ no-holds-barred comment underscores the swagger this Arkansas team is playing with under Calipari’s leadership. With tensions high and stakes even higher, this game has all the makings of a rivalry renewed.

Kentucky, without point guard Lamont Butler for the second straight game due to undisclosed injuries, sputtered into a lack of rhythm offensively. The Wildcats couldn’t recover from their 14 turnovers that led to 12 Arkansas points, despite a season-high 22 points and 11 rebounds by Amari Williams.

And if that wasn’t enough, Kentucky’s offense was not able to muster critical shots. The Wildcats shot only 3-for-13 from three in the second half. Moreover, Kentucky didn’t match the level of intensity on the boards for Arkansas and had defensive lapses in critical situations that haunted them.

Arkansas’ statement win – a redemption arc for John Calipari

The Razorbacks looked dominant from the opening tip. Shooting 55.2% from the field, Arkansas found ways to score against a Kentucky defense known for its toughness. Johnell Davis, the touted transfer from Florida Atlantic, led the charge with 18 points, 12 of those coming in the first half. He sliced through defenses and finished tough plays in a big way for Arkansas on offense.

But it wasn’t just about scoring. ‘Big Z’ dominated the paint with relentless energy on the boards. He denied Kentucky second-chance opportunities and fueled Arkansas’ transition game, and getting 14 points along the way. Defensively, the Razorbacks were just as impressive, holding Kentucky to just a little above 43% shooting and forcing 14 turnovers. Davis, a true two-way player, bothered the backcourt for UK.

One of the biggest shocks during the game was Arkansas’s three-point shooting. Entering the game having made just 32.5% of its field goal attempts beyond the arc in conference play, the Razorbacks flipped the script to shoot 52% from deep and make 13 treys. The Wildcats could not match that late, making just 10.

The win wasn’t just a victory; it was a declaration. For John Calipari, it proved he could build something special at Arkansas. For the Razorbacks, it signaled they were ready to compete with the best in the SEC. Momentum is building with Arkansas, which is running toward something much bigger this season.

Kentucky faces a challenge in its next game as it clashes against No. 23 Mississippi. Can the Wildcats come back and prove that they are still quite strong in the SEC? Or will this loss to Arkansas become another reason for the season to be undeniably uncertain? But tonight,  all attention is on Arkansas.