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Arkansas

John Calipari sounds off on Trevon Brazile foul trouble in postgame press conference

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/08/25•

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John Calipari, Arkansas
John Calipari, Arkansas - © Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

At halftime of Saturday’s game against Mississippi State, Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile didn’t have a point. That’s because he got into foul trouble during the first half – and John Calipari was fired up about it.

In his postgame press conference, Calipari sounded off on Brazile’s foul issues. He had a fiery message for his starting forward to make sure he could stay on the court after two fouls in the first half.

It’s safe to say, that message got through. Brazile had 11 points in the second half as Arkansas managed to hold on for what turned into a nail-biting victory.

“I’m happy for TB in the second half,” Calipari said. “But why was I upset? And I kept going down to him – ‘You can’t get two fouls reaching in! It’s not a touchdown. It’s two points. You get two fouls, I can’t put you in because we can’t win if I can’t use you in the second half.’

“Great lesson. Glad we learned it and still won.”

Brazile was part of a red-hot Arkansas offense out of halftime on Saturday. The Razorbacks shot 16-for-26 from the field, and those efforts were enough to fight off a Mississippi State charge and get a crucial victory.

Arkansas holds on, avoids last-second loss

John Calipari’s group started the second half off red-hot, outscoring Mississippi State 22-10 out of halftime to lead by as many as 16 points. But the Bulldogs came all the way back with an impressive run of their own. They outscored the Razorbacks 35-19 over the next 10:18 to tie things up at 89-89 with 1:23 to go. That set the table for a thrilling finish.

DJ Wagner hit a three to put Arkansas ahead 92-89, and Josh Hubbard answered on the other side with one of his own. The Razorbacks got the ball back, and after a stoppage to fix the shot clock, went for one final possession. Jonas Aidoo went up for a shot, but was fouled on a controversial call and went to the free throw line. He hit one of his two shots, and Mississippi State went back down the court without any timeouts.

Billy Richmond blocked the Bulldogs’ first shot attempt, but RJ Melendez got the rebound for one final shot. It bounced off the rim, meaning Arkansas held on for the 93-92 victory.

Wagner led the charge for Arkansas en route to the crucial victory. He had a team-high 24 points, including some huge shots down the stretch to try and create separation. Aidoo wasn’t far behind him with 21 points to go with 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.

On the Mississippi State side, Claudell Harris led the team with 18 points while Hubbard added 17. As a group, the Bulldogs went 19-for-37 in the second half, taking 11 more shots than Arkansas. But the Razorbacks’ hot hand proved to be too much to overcome.