John Calipari delivers message to Arkansas players before Rupp Arena return: 'Biggest ticket they've had all year'

All eyes will be on Rupp Arena tomorrow night as Arkansas head coach John Calipari returns to the historic arena for the first time since leaving Kentucky this past spring. Just 24 hours ahead of the massive showdown, Arkansas men’s basketball’s official X account posted a video of Calipari delivering a passionate message to his team.

“Look, guys, I’ve been so locked in to making sure you guys are right — you know, I mean, there’ll be some emotion,” Calipari said. “I’m gonna walk in this building. We’ve had a lot of great wins and all that here, but I want to do the same thing at Arkansas.

“We had all these players and I want to do the same thing at Arkansas. So here’s my point to you guys: fearless tomorrow. Fearless tomorrow, because that’s how I’m coaching. I’ve coached here. Some of these guys played here, but to play in this building is a big deal, isn’t it?

“And to win in this building — Yo, how many days after you won in here. were you on cloud nine? A week? Ten days?” Calipari asked Jonas Aidoo. “It is going to be packed. It’s the biggest ticket, they’ve had all year, our game. It’s crazy, and it’s the best. The courage is holding on for another three minutes until you see the light, and you guys have been unbelievable.”

📍 Rupp Arena pic.twitter.com/T5PBlfUY1P

— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) February 1, 2025

Rupp Arena is sold out for John Calipari’s homecoming, with the cheapest ticket price around $180. It’s a must-win game for the Razorbacks, who are 1-6 in conference play this season and third from last place in the SEC standings.

In comparison, Kentucky is having an excellent debut campaign under head coach Mark Pope. The Wildcats have six wins against Top-15 teams this season and are coming off a 78-73 upset win on the road against Tennessee.

Neither team will be at full strength for the highly-anticipated showdown. Earlier this month, Arkansas guard Boogie Fland suffered a season-ending hand injury. On Kentucky’s side, the Wildcats will be without second-leading scorer Lamont Butler.

Injuries or not, neither team will be willing to back down on Saturday. Earlier this week, Calipari discussed his expectations for the reception of his return.

“We’re gonna have three players that played there,” Calipari said, via HogsPlus. “My guess is they’re gonna get booed. My guess is I’m gonna get booed… But that’s all part of it. I mean, shoot, you get booed. I’ve done this so long. I tell you I got bazooka holes in my body. So when you shoot arrows, it doesn’t even hit skin, it just goes through one of those bazooka holes.”

Kentucky and Arkansas will square off at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ESPN.