John Calipari brings high hopes to No. 16 Arkansas
John Calipari answers questions from reporters during a press conference after being introduced as Arkansas's NCAA college head basketball coach Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Michael Woods
Arkansas (16-17, 6-8 SEC)
Eric Musselman took Arkansas basketball to its highest level since Nolan Richardson was coach. Now, Razorbacks faithful are hoping John Calipari can return all the way to those 1990s Richardson-era memories. The former Kentucky coach is preparing for his first year at the Wildcats’ biggest Southeastern Conference rival in 2024-25. Calipari is working with a slew of transfers, including several of his former players at Kentucky. Add one of the best high-school recruiting classes in the country, and Calipari has Arkansas ranked No. 16 heading into the season.
Players to Watch
Jonas Aidoo (senior C, 6-11, 11.4 PPG). Aidoo transferred from Tennessee, where he was a first-team All-SEC player last year. He brings immediate bulk and experience to a frontcourt that needed it.
D.J. Wagner Jr. (sophomore PG, 6-4, 9.9 PPG) Wagner was arguably the best player to join Calipari from Kentucky at Arkansas. Improved shot selection (he shot just 41% last year) could turn him into a bona-fide lottery pick.
Johnell Davis (senior, SG, 18.2 PPG) Davis was a finalist for multiple national player of the year honors last year at Florida Atlantic. The SEC isn’t the American Athletic Conference, but expect Davis to play like an all-conference player, anyway.
Departures and Arrivals
Besides Davis, Wagner and Aidoo, Arkansas also added Zvonimir Ivisic, Kareem Watkins and Adou Thiero from Kentucky and Melo Sanchez from Hawaii Pacific. Ivisic and Thiero are likely to be rotation regulars. The only returning player from last year is forward Trevon Brazile. Every other scholarship player on the Arkansas roster left, including leading scorers Tramon Mark and Khalif Battle.
Top games
Arkansas opens the season against Lipscomb at home on November and will be tested immediately after against No. 8 Baylor the next game. The Razorbacks’ first three SEC games all come against ranked opponents as Arkansas heads to No. 12 Tennessee on Jan. 4, then hosts No. 24 Ole Miss and No. 21 Florida on Jan. 8 and Jan. 11.
A similar February tough stretch will see Calipari back in Lexington, Kentucky, against his former Wildcats on Feb. 1. Arkansas visits Texas on Feb. 5, then hosts No. 2 Alabama on Feb. 8.
Facts and figures
Calipari was 13-7 against Arkansas while at Kentucky. … Brazile received heat as a potential first-round pick two seasons ago before a torn ACL cut his first year at Arkansas short. He was not the same player last year (8.6 PPG), but returned to play for Calipari, who is known for maximizing talent. … Musselman had taken Arkansas to three straight Sweet Sixteens and two Elite Eights before things went awry last year.
