John Calipari knew shootout against Arkansas was coming

Kentucky nearly took another Quad 3 loss at home on Saturday afternoon. Eric Musselman had his Arkansas team ready for fight. The Hogs scored 102 points, shot 57.4 percent from two, and made 27 of 28 free throws. The double-digit road underdog held a 86-77 lead with under nine minutes left.

John Calipari‘s team ended up finding a way. The Wildcats got some big minutes out of an all-rookie lineup with Robert Dillingham, Justin Edwards, and Zvonimir Ivisic all coming up big down the stretch. The Hall of Fame coach knew an intense game that would come down to wire was coming.

“I told Jay Wright after the game, at one point I was saying let them score so we can get it back. No I wasn’t saying that, but it’s what it looked like,” Calipari joked after the 111-102 win. “Like it was let them score fast. They came in with a great game plan. I knew Muss would have them ready. I was really worried about this game. I had them stay at the hotel last night. I haven’t done that for a year. We came here and stayed in the hotel, had a meal. You know what we did this morning? We shot around at a 1:30 game. I don’t ever do that. Breakfast here and then let’s play this game. Why? I knew this was going to be this way. I knew it. They didn’t but I knew this was going to be a really hard game.

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In a contest with 17 lead changes, Arkansas spread Kentucky out on offense and allowed their guards to isolate and drive the basketball. Khalif Battle and Tramon Mark combined to score 57 points with the former pouring in 17 of 18 attempts at the free throw line. Mark made 10 field goals giving the Razorbacks some legitimate offensive balance. Kentucky had no answers for most of the afternoon. John Calipari even pulled a defensive card he hardly ever goes with. The Cats went zone.

“This is going to be an experience that helps us grow. And it ain’t going to be easy. I also told them the beginning of the game is going to be crazy. Don’t be phased. What was the beginning of the game? I had to go to a zone, folks. I don’t ever play zone,” Calipari said. “We went to a zone just to stop them from just running through us. Then I ran a zone the last play of the half. Is everybody happy? They made a three.”

Kentucky quickly got out of that zone, but the points did not stop in the second half. Arkansas scored 102 points in a high possession game. The Wildcats have now slipped back to No. 96 in overall in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom. Getting stops for this group is a problem. Three opponents in a row have scored over 1.15 points per possession against UK. The Wildcats have some problems on defense.

But for now, it’s time to lean into the team’s biggest strength. Kentucky can outscore anyone and that is likely how John Calipari’s team will advance in March.