Calipari has sold togetherness since his introductory press conference to Arkansas fans shortly after his hire. It was an emphasis at Kentucky, where he spent the last 15 seasons, winning a national championship in 2012.

Despite a rough run at Louisville, John Calipari hired Kenny Payne as Arkansas basketball's top assistant. Here's a look at why Cal brought Payne in.

The exhibitions will give the Razorbacks a chance to see high-level teams before the games count toward their record, and to try different things. He mentioned his relationships with Jayhawks coach Bill Self and Horned Frogs coach Jamie Dixon as a reason for the games being played.

The 2024-25 Arkansas basketball roster will be like a John Calipari basketball family reunion occurring in a location that few could have previously fathomed. After 15 years leading Kentucky, Calipari is setting up shop in Bud Walton Arena for what should be a fascinating cap to a Hall of Fame career.

Even if John Calipari wins big at Arkansas, he cautions that he might not win quickly, saying it takes two or three years to establish things the way he wants.