Arkansas basketball is irrelevant in its first season under John Calipari. Cal's return to Rupp Arena is now just another game for Kentucky basketball

How far apart are Kentucky and John Calipari in the latest SEC Power Rankings? The two sides will come face-to-face 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 Razorbacks (12-7, 1-5 SEC) were one of two winless teams in league play before they upset Georgia on Wednesday. The slow start came after Arkansas finished the non-conference portion of their schedule 11-2, losing only to Baylor and Illinois.

Expecting boos, John Calipari admits he's not looking forward to his reunion with Rupp Arena when Arkansas basketball visits Kentucky this weekend.

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.

The coaching change that sent shockwaves across the college basketball world was when John Calipari took the job as the head basketball coach of the Arkansas Ra

John Calipari and the Arkansas basketball team have a big one this weekend as they be hitting the road to take on #12 Kentucky. Calipari was obviously the head coach of the Wildcats last year and had been the head coach since 2009.

The Arkansas Razorbacks were without star Jonas Aidoo for their second-half effort against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. Following the game, head coach John Calipari shared why he wasn’t in the game.

FAYETTEVILLE — First-year Arkansas coach John Calipari said Thursday he was in contact with athletics director Hunter Yurachek over the upcoming seating overhaul at Bud Walton Arena and understands the need for it and the concern of average fans.

Arkansas basketball's next opponent is Kentucky and a reunion for John Calipari. The Hogs' head coach anticipates an emotional return to Rupp Arena.

Ignore the hype. Ignore the noise. Ignore the circus that is sure to surround the return of John Vincent Calipari, who in a 15-year run as the UK coach took the Wildcats to four Final Fours and a national championship before his Big Blue express ran out of steam.