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.

How Mark Pope’s Wildcats and John Calipari’s Razorbacks match up at each position for Saturday’s SEC men’s basketball showdown.

Contrast that success with Calipari’s first Arkansas team, which needed six tries to notch its first SEC win of the year, and Kentucky fans figure to have plenty of ammunition Saturday. The Razorbacks are just 12-8 overall, and their 1-6 start to SEC play has them looking like a long shot for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Looking for Kentucky vs Arkansas odds? What to know before betting on Kentucky basketball vs. John Calipari's Arkansas team, prop bets and much more.

Calipari's tenure at Kentucky ended with too many losses in March, but there's no denying he breathed instant life into a program that was struggling when he arrived.

Coming off a midweek bye, Arkansas returns to action on Saturday (Feb. 1) at #12 Kentucky. Tipoff in Rupp Arena is set for 9 pm (ET) / 8 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN.

John Calipari wants his Arkansas basketball players who transferred from Kentucky to stay 'calm in the storm' inside Rupp Arena this weekend.

The hype surrounding Calipari’s return, capped by Lexington mayor Linda Gorton naming the days leading to the game ‘Basketball Week’ to highlight Saturday’s contest and other local games, is palpable in Kentucky — “What’s more Lexington than basketball?” Gorton said in a statement.

The highly-anticipated return of John Calipari to Rupp Arena is almost here. Before the old Kentucky coach makes his homecoming, let’s check in with what folks around the national media landscape are saying about the upcoming spectacle.

Kentucky Wildcats coach Mark Pope shouts at an official during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. No. 12 Kentucky beat the No. 8 Vols 78-73 on Tuesday. / Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

The Arkansas Razorbacks (12-8, 1-6 SEC) will visit the Kentucky Wildcats (15-5, 4-3 SEC) after losing three straight road games. The contest starts at 9:00 PM ET on Saturday, February 1, 2025. In