FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari admits he is still navigating the “new” version of college hoops, a world in which the 66-year-old’s traditional recruiting style is no longer the norm as free movement via the NCAA transfer portal and the added element of name, image and likeness compensation for players are major variables.
Calipari made it work last season, his first with the Razorbacks after a 15-year run with fellow Southeastern Conference program Kentucky, and proved naysayers wrong.
Still, he isn’t interested in doing things the same way moving forward.
The Razorbacks started SEC play last season with five straight losses but ultimately reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament as a No. 10 seed. Coach Cal has taken a different approach in rebuilding the roster for his second campaign in Fayetteville.
“I came here saying I want eight or nine guys because of NIL. I can’t pick 12,” Calipari said Wednesday. “Now I’m like, ‘Let’s have eight or nine that know,’ but you have other players we’re developing.”