Former Kentucky head coach John Calipari caused a major stir in college basketball by leaving the Wildcats to join Arkansas. When he departed, Baylor’s head coach Scott Drew was one of the top names speculated as a potential replacement at Kentucky. However, Drew chose to remain at Baylor, where he has been coaching since 2003. This decision left Kentucky to eventually hire Mark Pope, an alumnus, as their new head coach.
Calipari revealed that Drew didn’t reach out to him about the Kentucky position, hinting that Drew’s comfort and success at Baylor likely influenced his choice to stay. This weekend, Calipari’s new team, Arkansas, is set to face Drew’s Baylor team in a much-anticipated matchup in Dallas.
Calipari, who had a successful 15-season run at Kentucky with a record of 410-123, including a 2012 national championship, expressed excitement about his new role at Arkansas. He’s embracing the change and working to build up his team. The game between Arkansas and Baylor, scheduled for Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. ET, promises to be an early-season highlight in college basketball.
During a recent press conference, Calipari shared his enthusiasm about coaching Arkansas and described how it felt to lead his new team. He mentioned having “goosebumps” as he watched his players prepare for the game, showing how invested he already feels in his role with the Razorbacks. Despite his excitement, he acknowledged that his team has much to work on and mentioned that he provided some constructive criticism at halftime and post-game, emphasizing the importance of correcting mistakes to avoid losing games.
This Saturday’s showdown between Arkansas and Baylor will be a significant test for both teams early in the season, as it pits Calipari’s seasoned coaching experience against Drew’s established program at Baylor. The game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas is expected to draw a lot of attention, highlighting two powerhouse programs and reigniting conversations about Calipari’s unexpected move and Drew’s choice to remain at Baylor.
