Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s team was left stunned after a 89-79 loss to Arkansas in Rupp Arena on Saturday night. The Razorbacks brought their new offense and roster construction to the game, switching it up against the Wildcats. They shot half of their first 38 shot attempts from behind the arc, finishing with 13 three-pointers at a season-high 52% clip.
John Calipari’s team played smart, maintaining good spacing offensively and getting open shots when needed. Former UK guard D.J. Wagner scored all his points in the second half, while former center Zvonimir Ivišić made four threes for the first time since November 13th.
Calipari beat UK at their own game, showcasing his team’s ability to shoot from beyond the arc effectively. The Razorbacks’ power forward Adou Thiero scored a team-high 21 points, and Calipari praised his team’s performance.
“I made it clear, it was a privilege and an honor to coach here,” Calipari said about his time at UK. “We had 15 unbelievable years. A great run.” The Razorbacks’ win might be the start of a new streak for Calipari and his team.
Source: https://eu.courier-journal.com/story/sports/columnists/c-l-brown/2025/02/01/kentucky-basketball-john-calipari-offense-mark-pope-sec-standings/77820930007