Speaking to the media last week, John Calipari insisted he still doesn’t know who will take the ball after a made basket out for Arkansas basketball this season.
With something so simple up in the air, it’s safe to assume there are plenty of other questions still unanswered for the Razorbacks.
The season is rapidly approaching. The Southeastern Conference will host its annual media day on Oct. 16, and the Razorbacks will send Adou Thiero and Johnell Davis to accompany John Calipari in Birmingham, Ala. Arkansas will open its first campaign under Calipari against Lipscomb on Nov. 6.
Here’s a look at three Calipari-related questions for Arkansas basketball to answer this season. There are high hopes that Calipari can translate his success to Fayetteville, but he will have to alter some foundational strategies behind all his wins at Kentucky.
More: ‘Slobbering Hog’ logo set to return to mid-court for Arkansas basketball home games
More: John Calipari ready to watch DJ Wagner bounce back for Arkansas basketball
Is there a first-round pick on the roster?
Calipari has a streak of 17 consecutive drafts with a first-round pick, but that run might be in jeopardy in 2025.
ESPN released its top-100 NBA Draft Prospects on Wednesday, and Arkansas doesn’t have a player inside the top-30. Guard Boogie Fland (No. 32), forward Adou Thiero (No. 40), center Zvonimir Ivišić (No. 45), center Jonas Aidoo (No. 71) and guard Johnell Davis (No. 99) are all within the top-100.
This will likely be a one-year issue for Arkansas, with Calipari expected to reel in top recruiting classes moving forward, but this is an opportunity for the head coach to solidify his reputation as a developer of talent.
If someone does turn into a first-round pick, it raises the ceiling of this year’s team.
Does age make a difference in March?
Calipari is embarking on a new adventure this season with an older roster that isn’t reliant on one-and-done freshman talent. He hopes it’ll lead to a revival in his NCAA tournament success after failing to make it out of the first weekend the past four years.
“We’re playing against a team and the guy is waving to his two kids in the stands,” Calipari said. “You’re just saying, ‘This got a little old now, what are we doing here?’ So, to say you’re going to do it with 18- and 19-year olds, 24- and 25-year olds, you got to make that adjustment.”
Calipari is making such a significant shift there’s a chance none of his three freshmen are starters this season. Multiple freshmen made at least 20 starts in every season while Calipari was at Kentucky.
Do Hogs play big or small?
Calipari’s most successful teams at Kentucky typically featured plenty of length.
The 2012 squad that won the national championship featured three players in the starting five who were at least 6-foot-7. The entire starting lineup from the 2014 team that lost in the national championship didn’t have a starter under 6-6.
That trend extends throughout Calipari’s career, but he might go a different route at Arkansas. None of the freshmen are taller than 6-6, and Adou Theiro would have to start at the three-position for the Hogs to have quality length in their starting five.
