Calipari got the last laugh, however, with an 89-79 upset win for Arkansas. Former Kentucky player Adou Thiero led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, while D.J. Wagner, another ex-Wildcat who followed Calipari out of Kentucky, had 17 points and eight assists.

One of the most anticipated games of the 2024-25 college basketball season will take place Saturday night when John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena to coach Arkansas against No. 12 Kentucky. This will mark the lone scheduled meeting between the programs this season and Calipari's first game against his old team since exiting the UK program after 15 years to join Arkansas.