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Calipari Will Watch Closely as Kentucky Visits Tennessee

Razorbacks visit UK Saturday following tonight's 'Cats showdown with Volunteers

Bob Stephens

Kentucky Wildcats coach Mark Pope talks to his players during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on Jan. 14.
Kentucky Wildcats coach Mark Pope talks to his players during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on Jan. 14. / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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John Calipari took what he wanted when leaving Kentucky and the Wildcats' roster ended up being without a returning scholarship player for new coach Mark Pope. Don't cry for Pope as he filled his first Kentucky team with outstanding players who work well together and got off to a hot start.

Meanwhile, Calipari has struggled at Arkansas despite taking DJ Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic with him as transfers from Kentucky to Arkansas. The NBA drafted freshman guard Reed Sheppard No. 3 overall, guard Rob Dillingham No. 8 overall, and guard Antonio Reeves No. 47 overall in the second round. Guard Justin Edwards signed as an undrafted free agent. Eight Wildcats transferred to other universities.

Calipari returns to Kentucky for the first time Saturday when the Wildcats host Arkansas. The Razorbacks (12-8, 1-6) have this week off but No. 12 Kentucky (14-5, 3-3) has a huge game tonight at No. 8 Tennessee (17-3, 4-3).

Calipari and the Hogs will surely be watching tonight's tilt at Tennessee. The Razorbacks know how good the Volunteers can play – they lost by 24 in their SEC opener in Knoxville. Kentucky has lost two straight, by five at home to Alabama and by five at Vanderbilt. Tennessee also lost a close at Vandy, by a single point.

Both Kentucky and Tennessee are desperate for a win tonight. The Vols are in a five-way tie for fifth in the SEC standings, with the Wildcats a half-game behind. Auburn (6-0) is the nation's top-ranked team and followed in the league by No. 4 Alabama (17-3, 6-1), No. 5 Florida (18-2, 5-2) and No. Missouri (5-2).

Calipari's staff has already been devouring video of Kentucky. The Wildcats play nine guys at least 13.7 minutes and six score at least 9.7 points per game. Topping the UK scoring parade are guard Otega Oweh (15.9), guard Lamont Butler (13.2), guard Jaxson Robinson (12.9), forward Andrew Carr (10.9), guard Coby Brea (10.8) and center Amari Williams (9.7).

Robinson played at Arkansas in the 2021-22 season. He saw action in 16 games, started four and averaged 3.4 points a game. He then transferred to BYU to play for Pope.

If there's one game Calipari wants to win in the regular season, it would be Saturday's showdown in front of 20,000 of his formerly closest friends in what will be a frenzied Rupp Arena.

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Bob Stephens
BOB STEPHENS

Bob Stephens won more than a dozen awards as a sportswriter and columnist in Northwest Arkansas from 1980 to 2003. He started as a senior for the 1975 Fayetteville Bulldogs’ state championship basketball team, and was drafted that summer in the 19th round by the St. Louis Cardinals but signed instead with Norm DeBriyn's Razorbacks, playing shortstop and third base. Bob has written for the Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, New Jersey Star-Ledger, and many more. He covered the Razorbacks in three Final Fours, three College World Series, six New Year’s Day bowl games, and witnessed many track national championships. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Pati. Follow on X: @BobHogs56

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