Calipari vs. Arkansas: Kentucky Basketball Schedule 2025-26
Arkansas, Kentucky Basketball: No Rupp Arena Trip in 2026
John CalipariS return to Rupp Arena with Arkansas won’t happen in the 2025-26 season. according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Kentucky and Arkansas will face each other only once during SEC play that year, with the game scheduled at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
This cancels a highly anticipated rematch of Calipari’s first return to Kentucky as a visitor.Last season, the Wildcats hosted Arkansas, marking Calipari’s first game back after coaching Kentucky from 2009-24. He was met with boos upon entering the court.
Last year, Arkansas upset Kentucky 89-79, fueled by Adou Thiero’s 21 points. Thiero previously played for calipari at Kentucky during the 2023-24 season. The Razorbacks’ win contributed to their late-season surge.
That victory helped spark an impressive turnaround for Arkansas in Calipari’s first year. The Razorbacks went 8-10 in SEC play and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, where they lost to Texas Tech 85-83. Kentucky, under Mark Pope, also reached the Sweet 16, finishing 24-12 overall.
Looking ahead,expectations are high for both programs. kentucky’s college basketball recruiting class ranks No. 5, highlighted by Jayden Quaintance, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Kentucky is among the favorites to win the 2026 national title.
arkansas’ 2025 team recruiting also ranks high, at No. 6 nationally. The Razorbacks have added Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, along with Nick Pringle from South Carolina via the transfer portal. Arkansas is among the teams with favorable odds to win the national championship in Indianapolis.