John Calipari Reflects on Sweet 16 Loss, Eyes Future for Arkansas Basketball
John Calipari reflects on the loss. The Razorbacks suffered an overtime defeat to Texas Tech. They lost 85–83. They held a seven‐point lead at halftime but saw it slip away. Calipari feels both proud and disappointed. His praise and his hurt lie close together in every word.
“It is tough now,” Calipari said. He saw the pain in both players and staff. “I told them I was proud of them. They could not let me down. I wish some plays had turned out differently, but these kids gave their all in the attempt to win.”
Calipari honors the team’s growth. Reaching the Sweet 16 was an achievement on its own. “They believed we would keep playing, and I believed it too,” he said. “In the end, only one team will stand.”
Looking ahead, he warns us to hold off on plans for next season. “Is tonight the time for that?” he asked. Now is not the moment to decide on keeping players or to seek new ones. “I have names in mind, but I have made no calls yet. I will first talk with my players about who returns. Some may head for the draft, while others move on as their eligibility ends.”
Calipari knows that even with a loss, the season has its rewards. “I say it again—this was one of my most rewarding years,” he said. Although other teams had better finishes or won titles, this season taught us different lessons. We learned to adjust and grow as one unit.
The Razorbacks now regroup and check their roster. Calipari plans to build on this year’s gains. He stays true to helping players grow and preparing for the challenges ahead.
