Kentucky hosts Calipari, Arkansas for lone matchup in 2024-25

Kentucky will host former coach John Calipari and his new school, Arkansas, at Rupp Arena for the only matchup between the SEC rivals in the 2024-25 season.

The date for the matchup hasn't been announced.

Calipari left Kentucky after 15 seasons to take Arkansas' coaching vacancy following Eric Musselman's departure for USC. The 65-year-old ranks second in wins in Wildcats history (533) and helped lead the program to a national championship in 2012.

Kentucky hired BYU head coach Mark Pope to fill Calipari's absence.

Some of Calipari's former players and committed prospects for next season have followed him to Arkansas. Center Zvonimir Ivisic and wing Adou Thiero played for him last season, while recruits Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, and Billy Richmond flipped their commitments to the Razorbacks. Two more players have transferred from other schools: Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee and former FAU star Johnell Davis.

Kentucky has also been active in the transfer portal, securing commitments from Amari Williams (Drexel), Lamont Butler (San Diego State), Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Koby Brea (Dayton), and Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia).