John Calipari hints changes are coming after Kentucky loss at Arkansas

Kentucky shook a slow start to make it a game against Arkansas on Saturday. But the Wildcats came up short — and John Calipari might have given a glimpse into potential changes.

Kentucky trailed 15-2 to start the game and didn’t make a three-point attempt in the first half. But the Wildcats bounced back and appeared to take control in the second half before Arkansas responded in kind.

Afterward, Calipari noted the slow start and said changes could be on the horizon once he looks at the game film.

“I may switch around who I’m starting just to change it but we’ll see,” Calipari said, via KSR’s Tyler Thompson. “I need to watch the tape.”

One adjustment Calipari made after the rough start was to feed Oscar Tshiebwe more. That worked out well as the junior finished with 30 points and 18 rebounds for his 11th consecutive double-double.

“After I saw the start of the game, I said, we’re throwing it to Oscar every single time we can,” Calipari said, via Thompson. “If you’re timid and you don’t want to do stuff, throw it to him. So that’s what we did.”

With the loss, Kentucky fell into a second-place tie with Arkansas in the SEC standings. Both teams are one game behind Auburn, which is currently taking on Tennessee in Knoxville. The league race certainly got more interesting with Arkansas’ 13th win in the last 14 games.

Jaylin Williams shines with the game on the line in Arkansas win vs. Kentucky

Bud Walton Arena was rocking on Saturday as Arkansas upset Kentucky — and Jaylin Williams was a big reason why.

Williams scored 10 of Arkansas’ last 12 points to help lead the Razorbacks to a 75-73 victory over the Wildcats. He finished the day with 16 points and 12 rebounds for yet another double-double. JD Notae led the way for Arkansas in scoring with 30 points.

Arkansas is now 23-6 overall and 12-4 in SEC play to move into a second-place tie with Kentucky behind Auburn.

Heading into the game, Kentucky coach John Calipari was well aware of Williams’ ability to draw charges. In fact, as he complimented him, he called out the officials.

“Charge or a block or flop or you know I mean, he doesn’t lower his shoulder,” Calipari said. “It’s not how he plays. And you just have to count on people knowing is that a charge, a block, or is it a flop? But I’ll say this, he has really improved. He’s gotten so much better. Skill with the ball, (his) ability to shoot, you know. He’s really gotten better, really impressed with him.”