John Calipari claims Greg Kampe 'begged' to play Arkansas

John Calipari could not have scheduled a much odder game considering what team ended the tenure at his previous school. However, as a favor to Greg Kampe, No. 23 Arkansas played against Oakland on Monday.

Calipari spoke about the matchup and how it came to be after the 92-62 win for the Razorbacks last night over the Golden Grizzlies. That included credit to their team and their head coach with what he’s well aware that they’re capable of.

“Oakland? Yeah, I know that other one. And I know how they can play,” said Calipari.

“Greg Kampe is one of the – you know, to be what he is over that period of time and still be passionate and spirited about what he’s doing? He’s good and they run good stuff,” Calipari said.

Again, Calipari did not have to put this one on the slate for the ‘Hogs. He had just played them nine months prior in the NCAA Tournament where No. 14 Oakland upset No. 3 Kentucky by four in Pittsburgh. Winning over them now would only provide so much affirmation considering the loss in the postseason came at the school he isn’t at anymore. A loss would then only look that much worse to drop two to them in a calendar year.

Still, when Kampe called in need of a game, Calipari agreed. That’s although, in hindsight, he spent the weekend wondering why he did it.

“He begged me. And I said, ‘Greg, don’t. You just beat me in the NCAA Tournament! Now you want to beat me again?’. But he said, ‘Cal, I really need the game’. He’s a friend. Okay,” said Calipari. “But, all day today and yesterday, I’m thinking why did I do this? But, you know what, it was a good game for us.”

It worked out fine for Arkansas too with the 30-point win, their second-largest margin of the year. They doubled up Oakland in the second half while shooting 60.3% overall and 45.5% from three in the blowout. Boogie Fland (24 points, six assists, five three-pointers) and Adou Thiero (20 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals, two blocks) led the way while also getting one of their best game so far from Karter Knox.

A loss in this game could have been a very bad look for Calipari. Instead, he accomplished what he wanted to by both helping out Kampe as well as adding another win for Arkansas before going into conference play in the SEC.