Arkansas Upsets Kentucky, Stuns CBB Fans in John Calipari's Return to Rupp Arena

Andrew PetersFebruary 2, 2025

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 01: John Calipari the head coach of the Arkansa Razorbacks stands on the sideline before the start of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 01, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is the first game back in Rupp Arena after leaving Kentucky for Arkansa after last season.
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

John Calipari's first trip back to Rupp Arena with his new team was a successful one.

Calipari's unranked Arkansas upset No. 12 Kentucky 89-79 on Saturday in his first contest against his former team. Calipari spent 15 years with the Wildcats before leaving for Arkansas after last season. He won a national title with Kentucky and produced countless NBA stars.

Aduo Thiero, who followed Calipari to Arkansas from Kentucky, led the way for the Razorbacks with 21 points and eight boards. Johnell Davis added 18 points, six assists and five boards.

Kentucky's Amari Williams and Jaxson Robinson combined for 42, but it wasn't enough to avoid the upset.

Cole Adams @coleadamss
John Calipari absolutely deserved that win

CK🌺 @sissy_ck
Kentucky losing to Arkansas gonna ouch for a bit. Congrats to the former Wildcats & John Calipari. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBN</a>

Adam Rossow @AdamJRossow
Kentucky has four national titles in 66 years. John Calipari got one of them. And you boo him when he comes to Rupp? Delusional, to say the least. Good for Coach Cal and good for Arkansas.

Matt Dowell @MattDowellTV
Wow Calipari and Arkansas beat Kentucky Rupp is dead silent. What a story.

Power Mizzou @PowerMizzoucom
Huge win for John Calipari. His Razorbacks pick up the second most impressive road win in the SEC on Saturday.

Cole Frederick @ColeFred24
that's probably a top 3-5 win for Calipari on a personal level. one of the best wins of the year for any team, and a season-saving win for Arkansas. I've never seen a conference like the SEC this year.

Mr. Tubbles @nsnskxz
Calipari owns Kentucky <a href="https://t.co/45cckb14nF">https://t.co/45cckb14nF</a>

Michael Wilder @iamwilder12
👀 Calipari !!

Owen @Alakazam_428
This is going to be one happy flight back to Fayetteville for Arkansas. John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena and see his Razorbacks team win convincingly over Kentucky. A remarkable victory for the Hogs. Is this a win that can turn their season around?

Wade Lentz @wadelentz
John Calipari's first game back at Rupp since leaving is a nightmare for Kentucky. The Razorbacks dominated, looking as sharp as I've ever seen! Arkansas is making sure Calipari's homecoming is one to forget! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wps?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wps</a>

Despite Calipari's years of sustained success in Lexington, he was met by a hostile crowd that booed him as he entered the arena. He responded with a convincing win over one of the best teams in the SEC.

The three Arkansas players who joined Calipari in Fayetteville also showed up against their former team. Along with Thiero's 21, Zvonimir Ivisic added 14 points and DJ Wagner put up 17. The Razorbacks' 89 points are the most they have put up in conference play thus far.

Despite the win, the start of the Calipari era in Arkansas hasn't gone well. The Razorbacks are 13-8 on the season and 2-6 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are 15-6 on the year in 4-4 in SEC play.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

While Kentucky has had the better season so far, Calipari and Arkansas got the last laugh on Saturday. It's the type of win that could turn the Razorbacks' season around as they try to make the NCAA tournament while competing in a loaded SEC.

If anything, the win should give Arkansas some momentum as it prepares for a stretch where it will see four ranked opponents in its next six games.

B/R Recommends