Kentucky vs. Arkansas score: John Calipari leads Razorbacks over former team in triumphant Rupp Arena return

Calipari led the Razorbacks to an upset over the No. 12 Wildcats as he returned to Lexington

Arkansas coach John Calipari made his highly anticipated return to Rupp Arena on Saturday and helped his team deliver an 89-79 upset win over his former Kentucky team. After coaching the last 15 years at Kentucky, Calipari returned for the first time on the other sideline and received a wave of boos when he entered the court and during pre-game introductions.

On the court, his Razorbacks' squad delivered an inspired performance with a roster full of players that used to wear the Kentucky blue. Among those players who followed Calipari was forward Adou Thiero, who finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Guard D.J. Wagner -- another former Kentucky player who followed Calipari from Kentucky to Fayetteville -- finished with 17 points and eight assists.

Arkansas entered the weekend as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the SEC. The Razorbacks ranked 13th in 3-point baskets made and knocked down 13 against Kentucky on 25 attempts. Arkansas' previous high for 3-pointers in a game (15) came against Maryland Eastern Shore earlier this season.

Kentucky was without star guard Lamont Butler due to a shoulder injury for the second consecutive game. Amari Williams scored a team-high 22 points, and Jaxson Robinson added 20.

Arkansas (13-8, 2-6 SEC) fresh off its second SEC win will face Texas on the rad Wednesday. Kentucky (15-6, 4-4) has dropped three of its last four games in SEC play and will play Ole Miss on Tuesday.

Dj zoomin thru traffic pic.twitter.com/9M8Nu9pDTI

— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) February 2, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 11:38 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

This loss will sting for the Kentucky faithful

Kentucky fans wanted this win. Arkansas fans wanted this win. People who aren't fond of John Calipari probably rooted for Kentucky to win. As funny as this sounds, the emotion of Calipari returning to Rupp Arena – a place where he was familiar to the core – might've been an advantage for the road team. Had this game been played at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, who knows if it would've had the same shock factor.

Kentucky lost the one game on its schedule that most of its fans circled on the calendar the second the SEC announced the schedule this past summer. The downside of the scheduling and conference expansion is this will be the only scheduled meeting. The only way these two teams will meet again (this season) is either in the SEC Tournament or the NCAA Tournament – with the former looking more realistic. Kentucky coach Mark Pope has worked wonders during his first season with the program. This loss shouldn't overshadow how good his team has been. If anything, it proves there are no easy wins in the SEC. At the end of the day, though, this loss is going to hurt for Kentucky fans.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 11:31 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas picks perfect night for breakout shooting performance 

The last (and only other time) Arkansas hit at least 13 3-pointers in a game this season was against Maryland Eastern Shore. No offense to Maryland Eastern Shore, but that program currently ranks No. 360 (out of 364 teams) in KenPom's rankings. Kentucky entered the weekend ranked 10th in opponent 3-point field goal percentage allowed (28.8%) but allowed Arkansas to knock down 13 of 25 attempts. Arkansas ranks 13th in the SEC in 3-pointers made per game, so Calipari's squad picked the perfect game to have a breakout shooting performance.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 11:27 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Calipari, former UK players wanted this one

FINAL: Arkansas 89, No. 12 Kentucky 79

When Calipari took the job at Arkansas last spring, he brought several of his former players and members of Kentucky's incoming 2024 recruiting class with him. Five players who either played for Kentucky or were going to play for Kentucky appeared in the game on Saturday. Here is how each performed.

• Adou Thiero: 21 points, eight rebounds
  
• Karter Knox: 10 points, four rebounds
  
• D.J. Wagner: 17 points, eight assists, three rebounds
  
• Zvonimir Ivišić: 14 points, four rebounds
  
• Billy Richmond lll: four points, two rebounds
  

All five players contributed in some fashion. The player who scored the least points (Richmond) made one of the biggest plays when he threw down a powerful dunk in transition. This win could steer positive momentum toward Arkansas' way for the next month of conference play.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 11:16 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas records statement win in Calipari's return to Kentucky

FINAL: Arkansas 89, No. 12 Kentucky 79

Arkansas coach John Calipari made his highly anticipated return to Rupp Arena on Saturday and helped his team deliver an 89-79 upset win over his former Kentucky team. After coaching the last 15 years at Kentucky, Calipari returned for the first time on the other sideline and received a wave of boos when he entered the court and during pre-game introductions.

On the court, his Razorbacks' squad delivered an inspired performance with a roster full of players that used to wear the Kentucky blue. Among those players who followed Calipari was forward Adou Thiero, who finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Guard D.J. Wagner -- another former Kentucky player who followed Calipari from Kentucky to Fayetteville -- finished with 17 points and eight assists.

Arkansas entered the weekend as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the SEC. The Razorbacks ranked 13th in 3-point baskets made and knocked down 13 against Kentucky on 25 attempts. Arkansas' previous high for 3-pointers in a game (15) came against Maryland Eastern Shore earlier this season.

Kentucky was without star guard Lamont Butler due to a shoulder injury for the second consecutive game. Amari Williams scored a team-high 22 points, and Jaxson Robinson added 20.

Arkansas (13-8, 2-6 SEC) fresh off its second SEC win will travel to Austin Wednesday to face Texas. Kentucky (15-6, 4-4) has dropped three of its last four games in SEC play and will play Ole Miss on Tuesday.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 10:52 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

It's down to seven

MID 2H: Arkansas 75, No. 12 Kentucky 68

Kentucky is slowly clawing its way back into this game. The Wildcats have made their last three field goals heading into the U-8 Media Timeout, and the deficit is down to seven. Arkansas will be shooting free throws out of the timeout. Kentucky is in the bonus for the rest of the game.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 10:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Kentucky needs a big momentum swing right now

MID 2H: Arkansas 69, No. 12 Kentucky 60

As cliché as it sounds, Kentucky is more than capable of coming back in this game. They have shown multiple times this season they can come back from a deficit. It's primarily because of Kentucky's 3-point shot-making. The Wildcats are 8 of 17 from distance, and more attempts (and makes) will be needed to get back in this. Arkansas hadn't made 10+ 3-pointers in a game in SEC play ... until today.

In short: Kentucky needs a big momentum swing coming out of the U-12 Media Timeout.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 10:31 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas responds after Kentucky goes on a run

EARLY 2H: Arkansas 67, No. 12 Kentucky 56

After Kentucky went on a brief run to cut the deficit to six, Arkansas responded by making its last three field goals to extend the lead back to 11. Knox -- a former Kentucky commit -- is very familiar with Rupp Arena. His older brother, Kevin Knox, was a star forward for Calipari at Kentucky. He's up to 10 points off the bench. He just threw down a powerful dunk to silence the crowd.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 10:18 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas stretches its lead to eight

EARLY 2H: Arkansas 55, No. 12 Kentucky 47

Here comes Arkansas. The Razorbacks just took their largest lead of the game (8) after Wagner scored a layup -- prompting Mark Pope to call timeout before the U-16 Media Timeout. Former Kentucky forward Adou Thiero has scored four quick points in three minutes and is up to a team-high 15.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:54 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas leads Kentucky at halftime

HALFTIME: Arkansas 46, No. 12 Kentucky 45

Arkansas leads No. 12 Kentucky 46-45 at halftime of one of the most anticipated games of the 2024-25 college basketball season. The pregame festivities started with former Kentucky coach John Calipari getting welcomed back to Rupp Arena with audible boos after he accepted the vacant job at Arkansas after spending 15 seasons with the program.

The intensity of what occurred before tipoff has certainly carried over to the court. Both teams started fast and knocked down shots early and that sort of pace lasted throughout the first 20 minutes of action.

Arkansas guard Johnell Davis scored a team-high 12 points, while former Kentucky player and current Arkansas guard D.J. Wagner dished out a team-high six assists.

Kentucky's best player so far has arguably been Amari Williams. The Drexel transfer knocked down all five of his field goal attempts and recorded 11 points, five rebounds and three assists before intermission. Kentucky as a team has knocked down 7-of-10 attempts from the 3-point line, while Arkansas is 9 of 18 from beyond the arc.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:46 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Amari Williams is making plays for Kentucky

LATE 1H: Arkansas 40, No. 12 Kentucky 39

Drexel transfer Amari Williams is making plays for the home team. The Kentucky big man has made all five field goal attempts and has a team-high 11 points. He also has five rebounds and three assists -- which is also first on his team. 

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Here comes Arkansas

MID 1H: Arkansas 31, No. 12 Kentucky 30

Timeout Kentucky. Arkansas is on a 6-0 run over the last minute to take the lead back. Richmond threw a pass down the court to fellow freshman Karter Knox and he threw down a two-handed dunk in transition to help his team take a 31-30 lead.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:34 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas' current field goal drought

MID 1H: No. 12 Kentucky 27, Arkansas 23

Arkansas hasn't scored a field goal in nearly four minutes. Kentucky has maintained its lead with a hot start from beyond the arc. Kentucky has made 5 of its 6 3-point attempts, while Arkansas is 4 of 11 from beyond the arc. 

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:24 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Can Johnell Davis get going?

MID 1H: No. 12 Kentucky 22, Arkansas 20

Arkansas' X-Factor in this game might be Johnell Davis. The former FAU star has seen his role increase since star freshman Boogie Fland went down with an injury. Davis started the game with a 3-pointer and has five points thus far. Billy Richmond lll -- a former Kentucky signee -- has come off the bench and has provided a spark. Richmond had a powerful dunk right before the under-12 media timeout.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:16 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Kentucky leads early

EARLY 1H: No. 12 Kentucky 18, Arkansas 12

Arkansas started the game by hitting its first two 3-point attempts, but Kentucky missed just three shots from the floor during the first five and half minutes of action. The Wildcats are 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. Arkansas entered the weekend as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the SEC but have connected on 4 of 7 attempts from the 3-point line.

The early energy in this game has been fantastic. Let's see how both teams settle in for the next 6-8 minutes.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:09 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Here we go!

One of the most anticipated games of the 2024-25 college basketball season is underway. Arkansas won the tip and hit its first shot of the game.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 9:08 pm ET · David Cobb]

Calipari greeted with boos by Kentucky fans

Kentucky fans greeted Arkansas coach John Calipari with mostly boos during his return to Rupp Arena on Saturday night. UK fans also loudly booed former Wildcat players who transferred to play for the Razorbacks in Calipari's first season after leaving Kentucky as their names were announced in pregame introductions.

Arkansas coach John Calipari booed by Kentucky fans before his Razorbacks silence Rupp Arena in shocking upset

David Cobb

[Feb 1, 2025 at 8:55 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Starters for both teams

Kentucky

• Otega Oweh
• Jaxson Robinson
• Koby Brea
• Ansley Almonor
• Amari Williams

Arkansas

• Johnell Davis
• D.J. Wagner
• Adou Thiero
• Karter Knox
• Zvonimir Ivišić 
  

[Feb 1, 2025 at 8:40 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Fun post to look back on from the summer

Over the summer, CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno and Isaac Trotter attempted to predict who would win (at the time) the hypothetical matchup if they played today. The rosters for both programs were incomplete, but it's still a fun post to look back on.

Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Who wins if John Calipari's new-look Razorbacks faced Mark Pope's balanced Wildcats?

Cameron Salerno

[Feb 1, 2025 at 8:15 pm ET · David Cobb]

Caliapri is expecting to get booed at Rupp Arena

Arkansas coach John Calipari isn't expecting a hero's welcome Saturday at Rupp Arena when he takes the Razorbacks to play at No. 12 Kentucky in his first game back at UK since his 15-year run leading the program ended. Speaking on his "Live with Coach Cal" radio show Monday, Calipari said "my guess is I'm going to get booed."

"But that's all part of it," he said. "Shoot, you get booed. I've done this so long, I've got bazooka holes in my body. So when you shoot arrows, it doesn't even hit skin. It just goes through one of those bazooka holes. But it'll be interesting."

What John Calipari said about Arkansas vs. Kentucky game: 'My guess is I'm going to get booed' at Rupp Arena

David Cobb

[Feb 1, 2025 at 7:59 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Former UK star Reed Sheppard wearing Kentucky ... and Arkansas clothes

Former Kentucky star Reed Sheppard -- now a member of the Houston Rockets -- was shown in Kentucky and Arkansas clothes ahead of tonight's big game. Sheppard was shown wearing an Arkansas basketball shirt with Kentucky shorts. Sheppard was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and was one of the final Kentucky players to get drafted in the Calipari era.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 7:45 pm ET · Gary Parrish]

Parrish: UK fans should greet Calipari kindly 

I've been doing this long enough to know most fans don't care much for people like me telling them how to feel or act on topics close to them that people like me are only watching from a distance. That's my experience, at least. It's rarely well-received. It's almost always wasted words.

So, Kentucky fans, if you're reading this, let me make myself clear: You should, by all means, treat John Calipari however you want when he returns to a sold-out Rupp Arena late Saturday for the first time since leaving UK after 15 years. Boo him or cheer him. Praise him or cuss him. Stay silent or be loud.

It's totally up to you!

College basketball rankings: John Calipari makes return to Rupp Arena as Arkansas battles Kentucky

Gary Parrish

[Feb 1, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Rick Pitino pleads for UK fans to "show class" ahead of Calipari's return

Rick Pitino has asked a favor of Big Blue Nation with John Calipari -- the former Kentucky coach now at Arkansas -- returning to Rupp Arena this weekend. His request: don't boo the coach who once led the Wildcats to glory.

"I want you all to show the great class that you have," Pitino said in a video posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account. "Twenty-three thousand-plus people giving him a huge standing ovation. Show him what respect and admiration is all about. I know you have the class, I've always believed in you."

Rick Pitino pleads for Kentucky fans to 'show class' when John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena

Kyle Boone

[Feb 1, 2025 at 7:05 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas vs. Kentucky prediction

This game should go down as one of the most entertaining games of the season. Arkansas is off to a lackluster start in SEC play, but a road win over the Wildcats would be its biggest win of the season. Arkansas will keep this game close, but Kentucky will walk away with a win.  Pick: Arkansas +11.5

Kentucky vs. Arkansas live stream, where to watch, TV channel, odds, spread, prediction, pick

Cameron Salerno