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The Arkansas basketball team knocked off Kentucky in SEC hoops action on Saturday, providing its head coach with bragging rights over his former school. After the fact, John Calipari sent a pair of former Wildcats to the podium to speak on the win.
DJ Wagner and Adou Thiero got the mic shortly after the 89-79 victory. The duo showed the Wildcats what they missed out on with their inability to keep them in Lexington.
Both players bolted for Fayetteville after seeing Calipari do the same last offseason. Each has played an integral role with their new team in 2024-25.
Wagner averages 10.5 points and three assists a night with the Razorbacks while Thiero has tallied 16.4 points per game. They both shined in the upset win in Rupp Arena.
Thiero led the way with a team high 21 points while Wagner added 17 from his guard spot. The performances helped Arkansas widen its margin in the second half after taking a 46-45 lead into the locker room at halftime.
What a move by Adou.. pic.twitter.com/L0c6q2N5Sg
— Almamy Thiero (@ThieroAlmamy) February 2, 2025
Due to those big nights, John Calipari sent them out to speak to reporters after the win. The decision had to rub salt in the Wildcats’ wounds after watching their former team members ball out on their home floor.
No surprise Cal sent these two out to do postgame media. pic.twitter.com/vdFU9ogltp
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) February 2, 2025
Kentucky fell to 15-6 on the season with the surprising loss while Arkansas picked up its second straight win in SEC play. Calipari was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos as he entered his old stomping grounds on Saturday night. That coming after former coach Rick Pitino begged Big Blue Nation to give him an ovation in his return to Rupp Arena. Those former Wildcats received a less-than-warm welcome, too.
The win was a sweet one for Calipari, whose team might’ve turned a corner after an 0-6 start in league action. They’ve now improved to 13-8 on the year and are back on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.