Lexington, KY – In a shocking turn of events, John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off a stunning 89-79 upset over No. 12 Kentucky in his first return to Rupp Arena since taking over as Arkansas’ head coach.
Few could have predicted this outcome. Coming into the game with a disappointing 1-6 record in SEC play, Arkansas looked like a heavy underdog against a Kentucky team that had already secured six wins over top-15 opponents under new head coach Mark Pope. But Calipari had his Razorbacks ready for battle, and they delivered one of the biggest upsets of the season.
From the opening tip, Arkansas played with energy and determination. They executed on both ends of the floor, frustrating Kentucky’s offense and knocking down key shots to keep the Wildcats on their heels. The Razorbacks built a surprising lead in the first half and never looked back.
Kentucky tried to mount a comeback, but every time they gained momentum, Arkansas responded with a big play. Whether it was clutch three-pointers, aggressive drives to the rim, or defensive stops, the Razorbacks had an answer for everything Kentucky threw at them.
For Calipari, this victory was more than just another win—it was a statement. Beating his former team, in a place where he built a Hall of Fame career, made this one of the most satisfying victories of his coaching career.
With this upset, Arkansas breathed new life into their season. The road ahead remains tough, but if they can build on this momentum, they could still turn things around. As for Kentucky, this loss serves as a wake-up call as they look to regroup for the remainder of SEC play.
