There were high hopes and expectations for the Arkansas Razorbacks as they began their conference play under John Calipari. Needless to say, things didn’t get off to the best of starts.



The Razorbacks hit the road to face the Tennessee Volunteers at Knoxville. They wound up losing 52-76, and the veteran coach couldn’t be more angry at his players.



Following the defeat, Calipari didn’t mince his words about his players and the way they approached this game, going as far as to say that multiple guys were ‘no-shows.’



<h2>John Calipari calls his players ‘no-shows’ after loss to Tennessee</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The one thing I would do different in this game,” Calipari angrily said. “And all night, I tossed and turned. We didn’t do a shootaround today. And I just felt our body time is new pretty early. If I had to do it over again, we would have had a shootaround. Because we had three or four guys basically no-show. So basically, they slept, had breakfast.”</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250108_BUS_308852_johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631_3c6c6f39.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-216672" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>John Calipari </figcaption></figure>



Arkansas didn’t have a lot of time to rest after taking down Oakland on December 30, just five days before their SEC showdown. Even so, Calipari won’t make up excuses.


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Of course, we’re also talking about the No. 1 team in the nation, so there should be no shame in losing to Tennessee. Still, the Hogs won’t get very far with that kind of effort.

NCAAB News: John Calipari throws players under the bus after blowout loss to Tennessee

NCAAB News: John Calipari throws players under the bus after blowout loss to Tennessee - Bolavip US

miniaturas

It’s not usual to see John Calipari’s teams lose to lesser-known teams. Then again, nothing is a given in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>, and there’s always a David to every Goliath.



Notably, Calipari learned that the hard way against Oakland. Not so long ago, the Golden Grizzlies got the best of his star-studded Kentucky team in one of the worst upsets of his career.



That’s why he knows he cannot afford to overlook them again. So, even though the Arkansas Razorbacks have a date with No. 1 Tennessee after, they need to get past Oakland first. 



<h2>John Calipari doesn’t want another surprise</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Rest assured Calipari will remind his team what can happen when it’s least expected. Despite his best efforts nine months ago, his Kentucky team was ambushed by Oakland,” claimed Bob Stephens of Sports Illustrated.</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241230_BUS_303362_John-Calipari-1024x576_718546a3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-287684" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>John Calipari</figcaption></figure>



Fortunately for Calipari, just three current Oakland players were on the roster that pulled off the improbable win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament just one year ago.


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Jack Gohlke knocked down ten three-pointers to become a March Madness legend and take down the No. 3 Wildcats. Calipari is now trying to lead a different program, and great coaches don’t usually make the same mistakes twice.

NCAAB News: Arkansas to face John Calipari's nemesis

NCAAB News: Arkansas to face John Calipari's nemesis - Bolavip US

The Arkansas Razorbacks made a big splash when they hired John Calipari to be their next head coach. Unsurprisingly, he worked his magic to have the second-best recruiting class in the nation.



Fast forward to today, and they’ve now won ten of their first 12 games. Even so, they’re just 1-1 against ranked opposition, and they have drawn fair criticism because of that.



The Razorbacks have a tough path ahead of them. That’s why, now that they’re going through a nine-day break and celebrating the Holiday season with their families, their coach urged them to come back stronger than ever.



<h2>Jon Calipari wants his players to come back ‘juiced’ from the break</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Like I told them, you want to win the game and go for Christmas, breathe for the first time, and then come back here absolutely jacked and juiced – let’s go. Let’s get ready for the grind that’s ahead of us,” he told On3.</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241226_BUS_301029_johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631_892497dd.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-216672" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>John Calipari </figcaption></figure>



The SEC is as tough as it’ll ever be, and the Razorbacks will start their conference play early in 2025. That will be a barometer to determine where the program truly stands right now:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“It’s, look, you know – none of us and no one in the league can predict anything. So, whatever it is, every team is going to have hard games – every one from top to bottom,“ the coach said.</blockquote>


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Arkansas is currently the No. 23 team in the AP Top 25, and they will continue to strive for their first national championship in decades. Needless to say, it will be way easier said than done.

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes 'juiced' request to his players

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes 'juiced' request to his players - Bolavip US

During his days with the Kentucky Wildcats, John Calipari was infamous among opposing teams for his ability to land some of the best prospects in all of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>.



Now, he’s looking to replicate that same success with another SEC program. He hasn’t been around Arkansas for long, but he might be about to land an elite recruit for the Razorbacks.



According to a report by recruiting site On3, Calipari and his brass are eyeing five-star prospect Nate Ament, a 6-foot-9 small forward out of Virginia and the projected No. 3 player in his class.



<h2>Nate Ament discusses Arkansas’ interest</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Coach Chin (Coleman) and Coach Cal love coming up to see me,” Ament told On3. “They have a great coaching staff, you know Coach Cal is a renowned coach. So I’m just trying to feel them out still, and make sure I know what’s going on and how I’d fit in the system. You know he’s sent more players to the league than anybody and he’s an NBA coach in college, so that’s very enticing.”</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241217_BUS_295061_johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631_de9c3fd0.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-216672" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>John Calipari head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats</figcaption></figure>



Ament will visit the Razorbacks, with coach Calipari trying to work his magic as a ‘one-and-done’ guru. Needless to say, he’s not going to be alone in his pursuit of this talent.


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Per multiple reports, he’s also drawn interest from programs like Duke, Kansas State, and Coach Cal’s former team, Kentucky. He’s already visited Notre Dame, Texas, Louisville, and Tennessee, so nothing is imminent at this point.

NCAAB News: John Calipari, Arkansas eye top-3 prospect

NCAAB News: John Calipari, Arkansas eye top-3 prospect - Bolavip US

You cannot talk about<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a> without talking about John Calipari. Not only is he one of the most successful coaches ever, but he’s also one of the most influential figures.



As such, he often tried to make the most of his leverage to give his conference, the SEC, a bit of a chance. He often advocated for the selection committee to include more SEC teams in the NCAA tournament.



The NCAA committee often ignored his requests while he was in Kentucky, and he constantly put them on blast in public. Now, looking back, he admits he wasn’t right.



<h2>John Calipari backpedals on comments about the SEC </h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I used to argue ‘we deserve eight teams’ (in the NCAA Tournament),” Calipari said. “I was full of cr*p. There was no way we deserved eight teams. But I was saying it to try and help the league and help everybody. Now we’ve got a couple of games and then we start in an absolute meat grinder. Any win is going to be a big game. … And don’t think, well you’re at home. You may play three Top 5 teams in a row, at home, and get beat.”</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241216_BUS_293970_johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631_91e42757.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-216672" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>John Calipari head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats</figcaption></figure>



Fortunately for the Arkansas coach, SEC teams have done an outstanding job of standing up for themselves this season. According to projections, they could have as many as ten representatives in the tournament, including his Razorbacks.


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Of course, for that to happen, they will have to keep their momentum going next month. That will be easier said than done, as they’ll face three ranked opponents in Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Florida.

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes NSFW admission over his past in college basketball

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes NSFW admission over his past in college basketball - Bolavip US

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 wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Adu Thiero’s heroics.



<h2>John Calipari admits Adu Thiero shouldn’t have played vs. Michigan</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Adou shouldn’t have played today. He had the flu. I begged him, ‘Please give us 10 minutes.’ And then I played him probably 20. But he gave four offensive rebounds up in the end because he couldn’t walk. I’m just happy we fought and got by it,” the coach said.</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241212_BUS_291549_John-Calipari-1024x576_04ed983d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-287684" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/06154902/John-Calipari.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></figure>



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.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“We have not been healthy. Today, Adou Thiero should not have played. Was anybody at our shootaround? He couldn’t go in the shootaround,” the coach added.</blockquote>


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At the end of the day, that’s 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 Calipari’s go-to guys.

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes shocking admission about Adou Thiero

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes shocking admission about Adou Thiero - Bolavip US

The Arkansas Razorbacks escaped Madison Square Garden with a huge win at the Jimmy V Classic. They managed to beat Michigan by a deuce with a tight and exciting 89-87 final score.



Of course, that didn’t go unnoticed. Even though he’s not in charge of Kentucky anymore, one of his former players still reached out to coach John Calipari after the win.



The renowned coach addressed the media while talking to Karl-Anthony Towns via speakerphone. There, his Wildcats star from the 2014-15 season had a hilarious exchange with him.



<h2>John Calipari has a hilarious exchange with Karl-Anthony Towns</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“That’s Karl Towns. He doesn’t stop. He’s talked his whole life,” Calipari jokingly told the media while holding the phone. “So the media is now listening to you,” Calipari said.</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241211_BUS_290619_John-Calipari-1-1024x576_091b782c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-290604" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/11080114/John-Calipari-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Arkansas Razorbacks head coach JOHN CALIPARI gives instructions during Arkansas s win over MD Eastern Shore at Bud Walton Arena. </figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Oh good. I saw your big guys shooting threes. I don’t know what in the hell must have happened. You must have had an epiphany,“ Towns told his former coach.“Because I watch you shooting threes now and I say you won a game last night shooting threes. I’m gonna let these guys shoot threes. But one thing I’ll tell you, you make free throws. You couldn’t guard pick-and-roll defense, you still can’t,“ Calipari responded. “I’m in front of the media. Look you’re bothering me. You know I love you. You’re the best.”</blockquote>



<h2>Coach Calipari admits he’s been helped</h2>



Calipari has had his fair share of elite players. That’s why, also during the win, he admitted that he’s been “bailed out” by the great recruits he’s got the privilege to coach:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I’ve been bailed out my whole career,” Calipari said. “I’ve had really good players who have bailed me out. Now we develop, and they go on, and they’ve made over six million in the NBA, but that’s just here and there.”</blockquote>


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Likewise, those players also owe him a lot. Granted, it’s always easier to win when you have the best, but it also takes a great mentor to shape them into not only great players but also great professionals.

NCAAB News: John Calipari takes a hilarious shot at Karl-Anthony Towns

NCAAB News: John Calipari takes a hilarious shot at Karl-Anthony Towns - Bolavip US

You can’t talk about <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> history without mentioning John Calipari’s name multiple times. If anything, the Arkansas coach is also responsible for helping out countless NBA players.



Calipari became a legend at Kentucky, turning the Wildcats into one of the elite one-and-done programs in collegiate hoops. Needless to say, that also led to plenty of success on the court for him.



That’s why, as great a coach and a mentor as he’s always been, Calipari is well aware of the fact that his players also deserve a lot of credit for what he’s done so far.



<h2>John Calipari credits his players for his success</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I’ve been bailed out my whole career,” Calipari said after his team’s 89-87 win over Michigan in the Jimmy V Classic. “I’ve had really good players who have bailed me out. Now we develop, and they go on, and they’ve made over six million in the NBA, but that’s just here and there.”</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241211_BUS_290601_johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631_933f7a2c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-216672" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/johncaliparijpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>John Calipari head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats</figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“But it does drive you nuts, doesn’t it, when I say that? It’s just like, I can’t believe he says it. It’s just what he says, but yeah, I get bailed out a lot. And then, I hope they know that there will be times I bail them out. That’s how this works,” he added.</blockquote>



Calipari won a National Championship with the Wildcats in 2012, led by Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, all of which ended up playing in the NBA. Now, as a member of the SEC, he reflects on how long the conference has gone over the past couple of years.



<h2>Calipari discusses current state of the SEC</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“They’re telling me this is like SEC baseball now, where it doesn’t matter who you play, you can lose,” said Calipari. “They’re top to bottom and that may be the case, but all I know is we’ve got terrific coaches, terrific players, and terrific fans.”“I remember when I started, we were getting three teams in the NCAA tournament, and I was trying to get a six, seven, and eight … Now you’re talking about top to bottom, you know someone’s going to win seven or eight games, they should get into the NCAA tournament if they won at Miami and Michigan,” he concluded.</blockquote>


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Calipari’s Razorbacks will put their 8-2 record to the test with three more non-conference games. They’ll face Central Arkansas, North Carolina A&amp;T, and Oakland before an SEC matchup with Tennessee.

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes wild admission about his career

NCAAB News: John Calipari makes wild admission about his career - Bolavip US

25 highest paid coaches in American Sports

25 highest paid coaches in American Sports - Bolavip US

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