John Calipari is taking his revenge tour to Fayetteville. According to Rocco Miller, Arkansas will host Oakland this season at Bud Walton Arena, a rematch of Calipari’s final game as Kentucky’s head coach. You know, the one in March that Kentucky lost in Pittsburgh.
This isn’t the first time that Calipari has scheduled a game vs. a team that ended his season. On November 17, 2013, the Cats hosted Robert Morris, who beat Kentucky seven months prior in the 2013 NIT in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, Calipari’s hometown. Kentucky got the best of Robert Morris in the second go-around in Rupp, winning 87-49. Now, Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, and DJ Wagner will have the chance to avenge their NCAA Tournament loss to the Golden Grizzlies, albeit in a different uniform.
If you’re curious, Jack Gohlke, the star of Oakland’s win over Kentucky, is no longer at Oakland. After hitting 10 threes vs. the Cats and enjoying his 15 minutes of fame (which included a TurboTax commercial), the graduate student began preparing for the NBA Draft. Trey Townsend, Oakland’s leading scorer, transferred to Arizona.
One figure who remains on Oakland’s sideline: Greg Kampe. The longtime coach is back for his 41st season with 699 career wins. The date of the Arkansas vs. Oakland game is still unknown, but it would be kind of hilarious if win No. 700 was on the line for Kampe vs. his old friend John Calipari.
Speaking of the Razorbacks, they got some big news yesterday when Trevon Brazile withdrew from the transfer portal. He will be the lone returning Razorback on Calipari’s team, averaging 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. He is the ninth player on Arkansas’ roster, joining Big Z, Thiero, Wagner, Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee), Johnell Davis (Florida Atlantic), and former Kentucky signees Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, and Billy Richmond.
Of course, Arkansas will also play Kentucky this season, the lone matchup between John Calipari’s Hogs and Mark Pope’s Wildcats taking place at Rupp Arena. That’s the one that matters most.
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