The Arkansas Razorbacks’ basketball team faces a challenging non-conference schedule this season. Head coach John Calipari jokingly remarked that he must have been “on crack” when finalizing the slate, highlighting its difficulty at the SEC Basketball Tipoff event in Birmingham, Alabama.
Calipari’s job involves teaching his players how to win tough games, and the schedule reflects that commitment. Initially, he humorously criticized the decision to open the season against Virginia, followed by games against Michigan State, Arizona, and Indiana.
“Our schedule is ridiculous,” Calipari commented. “Why I opened the season with Virginia, I must have been on crack.”
Despite the jokes, Arkansas will actually begin the season against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on November 3. The team will then face Virginia in Washington, D.C. Neutral floor games against Indiana and Michigan State are scheduled, along with a true road challenge against North Carolina in Chapel Hill on December 1. This marks Arkansas’ only true road game before SEC play.
Arkansas was selected to finish third in the SEC preseason poll, with Florida and Texas ahead. Calipari, in his third year as head coach, aims to continue his success after reaching the Sweet 16 in each of his first two seasons.
Darius Acuff Jr., who led the team last season, was drafted seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings. Arkansas will look to fill the void left by his departure.
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