It was really just a scrimmage, a charity fundraising exhibition contest that benefits mental health providers and charities within each school’s footprint. So most will suggest it didn’t really matter. Nonetheless, it was a competitive exhibition game, and the #16 Arkansas Razorbacks defeated a depleted top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks 85-69 at Bud Walton Arena on Nolan Richardson Court last Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 19,200. The victory still marked a strong start for Arkansas under their new coach, John Calipari, who previously coached at Kentucky.
Key Highlights
Dominant Performance: The 16th-ranked Razorbacks controlled the game from the start, with solid defense and building a double-digit lead in the third quarter that extended to 20 points before Kansas mounted a mild comeback in the fourth. Arkansas’ strong start was fueled by D.J. Wagner, who scored 8 points in the first quarter, including two three-pointers.
Standout Players:
- D.J. Wagner and Boogie Fland led the scoring for Arkansas with 24 and 22 points respectively.
- Zvonimir Ivisic, Arkansas’ 7-2 center, contributed 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, showcasing his versatility by also hitting two three-pointers.
- For Kansas, Dajuan Harris Jr. stood out with an impressive 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting, along with three steals.
Coaching Strategies: Despite downplaying the game’s significance beforehand, both Calipari and Kansas coach Bill Self were fully engaged during the match. The game was divided into four 10-minute quarters instead of the standard two 20-minute halves, allowing more opportunities for coaching instruction.
Impact and Implications
This victory, while only an exhibition, carries significant weight for Arkansas basketball. It marks a strong start to the John Calipari era and demonstrates the potential of the team under his leadership. The win against the preseason No. 1 team also serves as a confidence booster for the Razorbacks as they prepare for the regular season.However, it’s worth noting that both teams were missing key players due to injuries. Kansas played without center Hunter Dickinson and guard Rylen Griffen, while Arkansas was missing 6-11 Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo.
Up Next
Arkansas is set to play another exhibition game against TCU today on November 1st in Fort Worth, Texas, before opening their regular season at home against Lipscomb on November 6th. This additional exhibition will provide further opportunity for Calipari to fine-tune his team’s performance before the start of the regular season.While this exhibition win is certainly encouraging for Arkansas fans, the true test of Calipari’s impact and the team’s potential will come as the regular season unfolds. Nevertheless, this victory against a top-ranked opponent sets a positive tone for what promises to be an exciting season of Razorbacks basketball.