The John Calipari period at Arkansas is off to a great begin.
On Wednesday, No. 16 Arkansas (1-0) took down Lipscomb (1-1) 76-60 in Calipari’s first sport as Arkansas’ head coach.
The 102nd season-opener in Arkansas historical past was among the many most anticipated in program historical past following the shocking rent of Calipari on April 10 to switch Eric Musselman, who left Arkansas to be the top coach at USC.
Issues weren’t all the time simple for the Razorbacks on Wednesday night, as a scrappy Lipscomb squad hung with Arkansas all through the competition, even taking the lead early within the first half.
However each time the Bisons managed to quiet the group inside Bud Walton Area, Calipari’s wild band of Razorbacks responded in type.
When Lipscomb opened up a five-point lead — their greatest of the sport — with 10 minutes to play within the first half, Arkansas roared again with an 11-0 run. From that time on, the Hogs by no means trailed.
Within the second half, Arkansas lastly appeared to be pulling away, however a 60-45 benefit was trimmed to 60-56 with slightly below eight minutes to play.
All of the sudden, the energized crowd contained in the Basketball Palace of Mid-America was tense with fear.
Arkansas did not appear fazed, nevertheless, as a three-pointer by Zvonimir Ivisic spurred a 16-4 run that ended when the ultimate buzzer sounded.
It was Ivisic who breathed life right into a dormant area late within the sport, scoring eight Arkansas factors in a row to carry the Razorbacks to an 11-point benefit shortly after the ultimate media timeout.
Extremely touted prospect Boogie Fland led Arkansas with 17 factors, with Florida Atlanta switch Johnell Davis and Ivisic contributing 15 and 12 factors, respectively.
It actually wasn’t a superbly executed sport by Arkansas, who regarded sloppy at occasions and regarded stagnant for a lot of the primary half whereas operating its half-court offense.
Nevertheless, when met with adversity, the Razorbacks responded — a great signal for any workforce trying to make a deep run.
On the finish of the day, Wednesday’s sport may very well be one regarded again on as monumental by Arkansas followers, relying on Calipari’s backside line when he is not the top coach in Fayetteville.
Arkansas’ victory is a stable one over a Lipscomb workforce that has the potential to problem for an NCAA Match bid in March.
Subsequent up for Calipari and Arkansas is the primary true take a look at of the common season. Arkansas will journey to No. 8 Baylor — who was crushed 101-63 by Gonzaga on Monday — on Saturday night time in one of the intriguing early-season matchups in school basketball.
