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John Calipari pauses postgame interview, reprimands Zvonimir Ivišić, Billy Richmond for chirping at Kentucky fans

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/01/25•

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Jan 14, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari in a huddle on a tie out against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Jan 14, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari in a huddle on a tie out against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

John Calipari walking off the Rupp Arena court a winner is nothing new. Doing so while coaching Arkansas certainly is. One of the more anticipated matchups of the season certainly delivered as Calipari’s team went into Lexington and earned a much-needed and desired win.

ESPN’s Alyssa Lang interviewed Calipari in the hallway not too long after the final buzzer. Players began to flood back into the locker room and there was some trash talk that ensued. Three players followed Calipari to Arkansas and one decided to talk trash to Big Blue Nation.

Zvonimir Ivisic was seen exchanging words with Kentucky fans along with Billy Richmond. Calipari paused his interview to tell them to cut it out. From there, it was a short response to the question Lang provided.

You can check out the full moment here.

Just watching Ivisic during the game, his emotions were certainly at a higher level. Not too long ago, he was wearing blue and adored by Kentucky fans. But like Calipari, Ivisic received plenty of jeers from the home crowd on Saturday.

“They played good,” Calipari said of Ivisic, Adou Thiero, and DJ Wagner — all three of which were Kentucky players last year. “They were excited to come back. Thank you.”

Getting this win might have meant a little more to those three than usual as well. Letting the Kentucky fan bases who can see inside the tunnel was certainly not something Calipari liked.

Arkansas enjoys offensive outburst, beats Kentucky

Once again, Kentucky’s defense was a big talking point as Arkansas had one of their best offensive performances of the season.

Entering Saturday night, Arkansas was one of the worst three-point shooting teams in college basketball. Their percentage of 32.5% ranked 259th in college basketball. Ivisic led the way with four makes from deep but as a team, Arkansas went 13-25.

The 89 points scored in the most the Razorbacks have put up against a power conference opponent this season too. A nonconference win against Michigan was at the top at 89. Every performance to surpass 90 points came against mid-majors.

Looking bigger picture, Calipari might be hoping this is a win that can spark his team’s season. Arkansas is not currently in the NCAA Tournament discussion, being well on the wrong side of the bubble. A win against Kentucky can go a long way but other results will have to be produced as well.