When John Calipari agreed to add Oakland to Arkansas’ schedule, it wasn’t exactly his first choice. After all, his Kentucky Wildcats had just been knocked out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the last thing Calipari wanted was another challenge from a team he had just faced. But, Oakland coach Greg Kampe, a long-time friend, begged for the game, and after some hesitation, Calipari relented.
“Greg begged me,” Calipari explained after the game. “I said, ‘You just beat me in the NCAA Tournament. Now you want to beat me again?’ But he’s a friend, and I said okay.”
For a half, it seemed like Calipari’s nightmare might continue. Oakland stayed close, trailing by just three at halftime in Bud Walton Arena. But then, the Razorbacks came alive. Boogie Fland exploded in the second half, scoring 23 points and hitting all five of his 3-point attempts. The Hogs ran away with it, outscoring Oakland 50-23 in the final 20 minutes to secure a 92-62 victory.
It turned out to be a win-win for Calipari. He helped out a friend while his team delivered a dominant performance. Arkansas stretched their winning streak to six, dating back to their Dec. 3 comeback at Miami.
While Oakland (4-10) struggled in their fourth matchup against a ranked team, losing to Illinois, Kansas, and Michigan State earlier this season, Calipari still saw value in the game. It gave the Razorbacks a chance to sharpen their skills against Oakland’s match-up zone defense, a style they had struggled with earlier in the season. The Hogs hit 10 of 22 threes and registered 21 assists on 35 field goals — positive trends for Calipari to build on.
“This game was a good one for us,” Calipari said. “Now, if someone throws a zone at us, I’m feeling pretty comfortable.”
With SEC play around the corner, Calipari was pleased with his No. 23-ranked team (11-2), especially after a grueling “Camp Cal” practice before Christmas. Now, the real test begins. The Razorbacks will face unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Tennessee on Saturday in what promises to be a thrilling showdown. ESPN will broadcast the highly anticipated game at noon.
“We’ve got to be ready for a dogfight,” said forward Adou Thiero, who had 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists against Oakland. Thiero, a transfer from Kentucky, is one of four Razorbacks who have faced Tennessee before, including former Wildcats DJ Wagner and Zvonimir Ivisic, and ex-Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo.
“They have a great fanbase,” Thiero added. “We’re going to have to be ready to play in front of a sellout crowd. It’s a great experience, and we’re ready for it.”
As the Razorbacks gear up for their SEC opener, the road ahead is tough, but with their recent performance and growing confidence, they’re ready to take on the nation’s top team.
