John Calipari describes start to Arkansas tenure as 'an adventure'

Last offseason, John Calipari made waves when he left the Kentucky Wildcats to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks. It was a move that caught many people off guard but one that, to this point, he has seemed happy about.

Now into his first season with the Razorbacks, Calipari shared that he’s viewed the start of his time with the Arkansas program as an adventure.

“What I did at this time in my life and in my career, this was perfect,” John Calipari said after the Michigan win. “First page in the first chapter of a new book, and it’s an adventure.”

Now in the middle of December, Calipari has led Arkansas to an 8-2 record to this point in the season. That includes a three-game winning streak and is now 6-0 at home. Both of the Razorbacks’ two losses came at neutral sites against Baylor and Illinois.

In its most recent game, Arkansas beat Michigan 89-87 in the Jimmy V Classic. That came despite being down 15 points at one point in the first half. Boogie Fland would lead the way for the Razorbacks with 20 points and seven assists. Meanwhile, Jonas Aidoo led the team in rebounds with seven to go with his 11 points.

“I’m gonna have fun and enjoy it, I’m happy,” Calipari said. “Do I look happy? [If] we lost, I wonder if I would be happy, but throughout the game I’m happy. I love coaching this group. I’ve got a job to do.”

Next up, Arkansas will take on Central Arkansas on Saturday, December 14th. Then, in January, the Razorbacks will begin SEC play. That’s a stretch that John Calipari knows is going to be a major challenge to address.

“Woof. Woof. Woof,” Calipari said, each woof more pronounced than the last. “Like, this is — they’re saying it’s like SEC baseball. Like every game in basketball, now, is a game you can lose. If you’re looking for wins, like, ‘OK, we can get this one, we can get —.” There are none. And the only problem I had for a while, I thought, ‘We were the win! Holy jeesh!’ So we’re good enough. We’re getting better. We’re learning. It’s a brand new team.”

SEC play will open for Arkansas against Tennessee on January 4th. The Volunteers are currently the top team in the country, which means Calipari will want his team to continue to improve going into that game.