John Calipari reflects on best memories in Rupp Arena

Miami (OH) guard Kenny Hayes nailed a 25-foot 3-pointer over Eric Bledsoe to tie Kentucky at 70 inside Rupp Arena with 5.3 seconds left in the second half. John Wall, in his debut as a Wildcat, sped down the court with purpose. He took a step-back jump shot and buried it with 0.2 seconds left in the game to complete the 18-point comeback.

That’s how the John Calipari era began, and would be the the first of 54 games the former Kentucky head coach would win consecutively inside Rupp Arena to begin his career in Lexington. It was one of a handful of Calipari’s favorite moments coaching inside the historic building.

“I remember it,” Calipari told ESPN’s Jimmy Dykes ahead of the matchup. “Having Louisville in here and having some great games — winning those games. There were so many games in here that meant something.”

In total, he went on to win 410 total games with 123 losses over his 15 seasons, many of which came in front of Big Blue Nation inside Rupp Arena. He boasted a 13-3 record vs. Louisville during that span.

Other matchups like the 73-72 win over North Carolina that saw Anthony Davis block John Hendon’s game-winning shot attempt at the buzzer come to mind. Blowing out Florida in the regular season finale to go 31-0. How about when Calipari surpassed Joe B. Hall for second all-time in program wins vs. Auburn in 2019?

In total, Calipari took Kentucky to seven Elite Eight appearances, four Final Fours, two national title appearances and one NCAA Championship. However, UK wouldn’t make it past the Round of 32 in any of the last five seasons of the Calipari era. That includes a first-round exit to St. Peter’s in 2022, which is regarded as one of the most shocking upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

“We took some spells in the NCAA tournament. Throughout my career — they literally didn’t happen. But it did,” Calipari said of those last three squads. “But we were top 10 two out of those three years. And I’m proud of those kids.”

Now, Calipari returns to Rupp Arena on Saturday, but this time on the opposite side of the bench as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Feb. 1 is a date that’s been circled for both sides since Calipari took the job last April.

Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN. Calipari’s Hogs are a 10.5-point underdog heading into the matchup.