The Arkansas Razorbacks have exceeded expectations this season, overcoming injuries and skepticism from the media. John Calipari’s first year at the helm has been anything but predictable, yet when faced with critical moments, his team has consistently stepped up.
Just last weekend, Arkansas took down Rick Pitino’s St. John’s squad, a team many considered a strong Final Four contender. The game was full of dramatic moments and a high-stakes coaching battle. While Pitino appeared frustrated after the loss, Calipari took the opportunity to call out those who had doubted his team’s potential.
“They buried us, but they forgot to seal the coffin. We pushed it open and fought our way back,” Calipari told reporters, celebrating his team’s resilience.
Riding the momentum from that victory, the Razorbacks faced off against Texas Tech in the Sweet Sixteen. For most of the game, Arkansas held the advantage, but the Red Raiders managed to force overtime in the final moments of regulation.
With less than ten seconds remaining in overtime, Texas Tech held a two-point lead. The Razorbacks had a final opportunity to take control, but they were unable to capitalize. Despite having a timeout at his disposal, Calipari opted not to use it—a decision that was immediately questioned after the game.
“I usually let my guys play through it. Looking back now, sure, I wish I had called a timeout. But 99% of the time, I let them go,” Calipari admitted in the postgame press conference.
While his philosophy typically allows players to make plays without interruption, this moment may have called for a different approach. Still, the season isn’t over for the Razorbacks. Calipari and his staff are expected to be aggressive in the transfer portal as they look to build on this year’s progress.
