LEXINGTON, Ky — Veteran basketball coach John Calipari received a mixed reception during his return to Rupp Arena on Saturday night.
He later got the last laugh when his Arkansas Razorbacks beat No. 12 Kentucky, 89-79, in a clash between his current and former Southeastern Conference programs.
“It’s hard to win in here. And I’ve got to be honest with you, I looked up a couple of times and I thought we were losing because I kept looking at Kentucky instead of Arkansas” on the scoreboard, Calipari said. “I made it clear it was a privilege and an honor to coach here. We had 15 unbelievable years of a great run and support.”
Calipari, in his first season at Arkansas, was 410-123 in those 15 seasons at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to their eighth NCAA Division I tournament championship in 2012. He resigned last April and signed a five-year contract with Arkansas.
There were definitely more boos, but some applause and cheers as well in Calipari’s first time back in Lexington.