John Calipari calls St. John's win an ugly-exciting game: 'You know I don't care'

John Calipari doesn’t care how it’s done, just as long as Arkansas wins. In an ugly game, so to speak, the Razorbacks beat St. John’s 75-66 in an upset to advance to the Sweet 16.

A win is a win, is a win. Right? That’s how the expression goes. And despite Calipari and company only leading by three at halftime, they stuck to their guns.

The season has certainly been a rollercoaster, but it’s paid off now. Arkansas is just four wins away from a national title.

“They’re fun to coach,” Calipari said postgame. “I told him this is as rewarding a year as I have had based on how far we have come. I have told them a million times, you’re not going to disappoint me, let’s figure stuff out. Z was good today. We need Z to play. I need him on the floor some. Jonas, two fouls. I just saw we went 2 for 19 from the three and won? What in the world? Then I saw they were 2 for 22. 

“Was it an ugly game? Or was it a game that was exciting? Like, both? An ugly exciting game. You know I don’t care. It could be an ugly-ugly game and I’m happy we’re moving on.”

Calipari likes to play the underdog role in this tournament. The Razorbacks are a No. 10 seed after all. So, every game is a fresh start for his players to show what they’re capable of.

“Well, they’re not afraid and they want to prove themselves,” Calipari said. “I don’t believe any of them were all freshmen in our league. Is that true? I think they have a little chip on their shoulder about that. They’re talented. Billy just has a different mindset. If I turn it over, so what, he goes on to the next play. Karter and Boogie are still freshmen. They miss two, they end up missing five.

“The other side of Billy doing that, he’ll turn it over some. Why did you try to do that? I thought I could do it. The lob we had late where D.J. wouldn’t throw it, Billy would throw it. He may throw it over the backboard, but he would throw it.”

Arkansas and Calipari advanced to the Sweet 16 which is set for March 27th and 28th. The No. 10 Razorbacks will take on No. 3 Texas Tech.