John Calipari on his return to Kentucky after leaving for Arkansas
John Calipari talks about his return to Rupp Arena for the first time after leaving for Arkansas.
Sports Pulse
LEXINGTON — Tonight won’t be the first time John Calipari has walked into Rupp Arena as an opposing coach. It’s just been more than three decades.
On Dec. 4, 1991, Calipari’s UMass team was no match for Kentucky basketball. The Wildcats, then led by Rick Pitino, waltzed past the Minutemen in a 90-69 victory.
Tonight is different, of course. It will be the first time since he departed UK for Arkansas last year Calipari will face his former employer, now guided by a Pitino-era player, Mark Pope.
“On a personal level, I love competing against people that I admire and look up to and love — and Cal is certainly one of those people,” Pope said. “He’s a Hall of Fame coach, and he’s a legend in the sport, and he’s rewritten a lot of the book on how things are done.
“He’s one of the best that there ever was, and he’s also got an unbelievable legacy here at the University of Kentucky.”
For all his success elsewhere, Calipari’s Arkansas tenure is off to a rough start. The Razorbacks are 12-8 overall, with a 1-6 mark in SEC games entering tonight. The Wildcats, on the other hand, are 15-5 and 4-3, respectively.
Calipari aims to turn around his own history — and Arkansas’ — versus UK. Calipari is 2-4 in six previous matchups against the Wildcats. Kentucky also leads the all-time series with Arkansas, 36-14. The Wildcats have won three in a row over the Razorbacks ahead of tonight’s tilt.
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s game from home:
UK and Arkansas are slated to tip off at 9 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
Betting odds: Kentucky is an 11 ½-point home favorite (-110) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 158 ½ points (-110). The money line odds are Kentucky -600, Arkansas +440.
The contest between the Wildcats and Razorbacks will air on ESPN. Karl Ravech (play-by-play), Jimmy Dykes (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline) will have the call.
Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
You also can stream ESPN on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
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Good morning, BBN! After nearly a year of anticipation, John Calipari is set to make his first return to Rupp Arena as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorb
John Calipari on his return to Kentucky after leaving for ArkansasJohn Calipari talks about his return to Rupp Arena for the first time after leaving for Arkans
John Calipari on his return to Kentucky after leaving for ArkansasJohn Calipari talks about his return to Rupp Arena for the first time after leaving for Arkans
The Kentucky Wildcats and Arkansas Razorbacks have released their SEC injury reports. For the Cats, starting point guard Lamont Butler has been ruled out. Bu