The Arkansas Razorbacks needed some big performances to beat No. 14 Michigan Wolverines in the Big Apple. John Calipari knew how crucial it was to win the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday night.
The Razorbacks rallied in the second half. They turned a 15-point deficit into an 18-point lead, and while the Wolverines rallied, they still hung on to get a one-point win.
Notably, Calipari knows that, as much as their defense was crucial, especially down the stretch, this wouldnāt have been possible if it wasnāt for Adu Thieroās heroics.
John Calipari admits Adu Thiero shouldnāt have played vs. Michigan
āAdou shouldnāt have played today. He had the flu. I begged him, āPlease give us 10 minutes.ā And then I played him probably 20. But he gave four offensive rebounds up in the end because he couldnāt walk. Iām just happy we fought and got by it,ā the coach said.
Thiero wound up scoring 13 points with four rebounds and one steal in 22 minutes. Despite his illness, he still knocked down six of his nine shots from the floor.
āWe have not been healthy. Today, Adou Thiero should not have played. Was anybody at our shootaround? He couldnāt go in the shootaround,ā the coach added.
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At the end of the day, thatās what it takes to be great in this industry. The Razorbacks got their eighth win of the season, and Thiero further cemented himself as one of Calipariās go-to guys.
