Arkansas coach John Calipari is not anticipating a hero’s welcome Saturday at Rupp Enviornment when he takes the Razorbacks to play at No. 12 Kentucky in his first recreation again at UK since his 15-year run main this system ended. Talking on his “Stay with Coach Cal” radio present Monday, Calipari mentioned “my guess is I’ll get booed.”
“However that is all a part of it,” he mentioned. “Shoot, you get booed. I’ve completed this so lengthy, I’ve bought bazooka holes in my physique. So while you shoot arrows, it does not even hit pores and skin. It simply goes via a type of bazooka holes. Nevertheless it’ll be attention-grabbing.”
Calipari posted a 410-123 document at Kentucky from 2009-24 earlier than leaving to take the Arkansas job after the Wildcats misplaced to No. 14 seed Oakland within the first spherical of the 2024 NCAA Event. He coached UK to the 2012 nationwide title and in addition reached the Remaining 4 in 2011 and 2015. However after an Elite Eight look in 2019, the Wildcats by no means once more superior previous the primary weekend of the Large Dance beneath Calipari’s course.
Kentucky snaps two-game skid, wins at Tennessee with Arkansas up subsequent in John Calipari’s Rupp Enviornment return
David Cobb
That lack of postseason success led to an uncomfortable ending to a as soon as fruitful relationship between Calipari’s large character and the passionate Kentucky fan base. With a 15-5 (4-3 SEC) document beneath first-year coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats seem like successful the breakup. However seeing Calipari in Arkansas colours is certain to attract a powerful response from Kentucky followers.
“I am unable to say I am trying ahead to it,” Calipari mentioned. “I am trying ahead to teaching. However to stroll in, and the vibe, I do not know the way I’ll take it, to be trustworthy with you. That was a particular time in my life and in Ellen’s (Calipari’s spouse) life. Fifteen years we gave. Fifteen.”
The Razorbacks (12-8, 1-6 SEC) might use a marquee victory amid a brutal begin to convention play however will probably be hard-pressed to search out one inside a hostile street venue towards one of many nation’s high offenses.