Arkansas
Defense powers offense in Arkansas basketball’s win over Lipscomb to begin Calipari era
FAYETTEVILLE — John Calipari wanted to coach a more physical, defensive-minded team this year with Arkansas basketball, ditching some of the fragilities that cost him over the final chapters at Kentucky.
The Razorbacks have only played one regular season game in the Calipari era, but they’re off to a strong start in providing their new head coach with what he’s seeking.
No. 16 Arkansas (1-0) knocked off Lipscomb 76-60 Wednesday night in its season-opener. The Hogs forced 19 turnovers and held the Bisons (1-1) 22.1 points shy of their season average from last year. Lipscomb shot 37.1% from the field after shooting 52.1% in its first game of the new campaign Monday night.
“If you can guard the ball and you’re not in a bunch of rotations, you’re going to be pretty good,” Calipari said. “If you can guard the ball — are you ready for this statement — occupy your man’s eyes, we’ve got all these guys behind you that will block shots.”
Arkansas’ half-court offense struggled in moments throughout Wednesday night’s win, but nothing was working early on. Lipscomb jumped out to a 17-12 lead midway through the first half.
That’s when Arkansas ratcheted up its defensive pressure — even mixing in a full-court press — carving out an 11-0 run that was powered getting out in transition and forcing turnovers.
“Kenny Payne, he always says defense is our offense, so we once we get a few stops, we can go on our offensive run,” Arkansas guard Johnell Davis said.
Just as he did after each of the preseason exhibitions, Calipari dished out some postgame praise for Davis’ work on the defensive end. The FAU transfer finished with 15 points and forced two turnovers. Only freshman Boogie Fland had more points with 17.
But forcing turnovers is only the first part of the equation. Arkansas was able to successfully turn those extra possessions into made baskets, scoring 25 points off turnovers and 23 fast-break points.
“What we didn’t do down at TCU, they refused to throw it ahead because the guy wants, ‘I’m going to start this’,” Calipari said. “No. Boom, bang and let’s see what happens. Get the ball to the other side and we’ll play.”
And Arkansas’ defense has another gear it can reach. Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo only played seven minutes against Lipscomb in his return from injury. Aidoo was a member of the SEC’s All-Defensive Team last year and will be the paint protector for the Hogs this winter.
The hope is that the Hogs’ offense catches up in the coming weeks. Arkansas went 4 of 19 on 3-pointers and coughed up 12 turnovers.
But when the going got tough as Lipscomb cut the deficit to 60-56 with 7:47 remaining, Arkansas fed Zvonimir Ivišić the basketball, and the 7-foot-2 center responded with a personal 8-1 run to stretch the lead back to double figures. It stated with a 3-pointer before Ivišić scored on a pair of post-ups.
That’s a building block for the Arkansas offense moving forward, but in the very early stages of this new era, defense seems to be the foundation.
The 2024-25 season for Arkansas men’s basketball will officially begin on Wednesday (Nov. 6) when the #16 Razorbacks host Lipscomb. Tipoff is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.
This will mark Arkansas’s season and home opener. Lipscomb began its season on Monday with a win at Duquesne.
Arkansas is opening its 102nd year of basketball. Arkansas is 82-19 in season openers all-time and 91-10 in home openers. Arkansas has won 48 of the last 50 season openers dating back to 1974-75 with both losses coming on neutral courts. The Razorbacks have won 50 straight home openers, including a 31-0 record in openers inside Bud Walton Arena.
John Calipari is 25-7 as a collegiate head coach in season openers and 29-3 in home openers.
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The day Arkansas basketball fans have been waiting for is here at last.
Head coach John Calipari and the Razorbacks open the 2024-25 season against Lipscomb on Wednesday, starting a non-conference gauntlet that’ll prep Arkansas for a a grueling SEC slate and lead to a hopeful run into the latter stages of March.
Arkansas enters its opener ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. The Hogs went 1-1 in preseason exhibitions against Kansas and TCU, ushering in a new roster with one returnee from last year’s team that failed to make the NCAA Tournament.
Lipscomb (1-0) began its season Monday night with a 77-72 road victory over Duquesne. Jacob Ognacevic led the way with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while the Bisons shot 42.8% from three in the victory.
Here’s how to watch the Arkansas and Lipscomb game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information.
What channel is Arkansas basketball vs. Lipscomb today?
- TV channel: N/A
- Streaming: SEC+ (ESPN+)
Arkansas vs. Lipscomb will not be on TV, but the matchup is available to stream via SEC+ on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Arkansas basketball vs. Lipscomb start time
- Date: Wednesday, November 6
- Start time: 7 p.m. CT
The Arkansas vs. Lipscomb game will be played at approximately 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
Arkansas basketball news
Arkansas basketball 2024-25 schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV |
| Nov. 6 | Lipscomb | 7 p.m. | SEC+ |
| Nov. 9 | Baylor (Dallas) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Nov. 13 | Troy | 7 p.m. | SEC+ |
| Nov. 18 | Pacific | 7 p.m. | SEC+ |
| Nov. 22 | Little Rock | 8 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Nov. 25 | Maryland-Eastern Shore | 7 p.m. | SEC+ |
| Nov. 28 | Illinois (Kansas City) | 3 p.m. | CBS |
| Dec. 3 | at Miami | 6 or 6:30 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN2 |
| Dec. 7 | Texas San-Antonio | TBD | SEC+ |
| Dec. 10 | Michigan (New York City) | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 14 | Central Arkansas (North Little Rock) | 3 p.m. | SEC+ |
| Dec. 21 | North Carolina A&T | 1:30 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Dec. 30 | Oakland | 7 p.m. | SEC+ |
| Jan. 4 | at Tennessee* | Noon | ESPN |
| Jan. 8 | Ole Miss* | 6 p.m. | ESPN/ESPNU |
| Jan. 11 | Florida* | 3 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN2 |
| Jan. 14 | at LSU* | 8 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Jan. 18 | at Missouri* | 5 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Jan. 22 | Georgia* | 8 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Jan. 25 | Oklahoma* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU |
| Feb. 1 | at Kentucky* | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Feb. 5 | at Texas* | 8 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Feb. 8 | Alabama* | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Feb. 12 | LSU* | 8 p.m. | ESPN2/ESPNU |
| Feb. 15 | at Texas A&M* | 11 a.m. | ESPN/ESPN2 |
| Feb. 19 | at Auburn* | 8 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN2 |
| Feb. 22 | Missouri* | 7 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN2 |
| Feb. 26 | Texas* | 8 p.m. | ESPN2/ESPNU |
| March 1 | at South Carolina* | Noon | SEC Network |
| March 4 | at Vanderbilt* | 9 p.m. | SEC Network |
| March 8 | Mississippi State* | 11 a.m. | ESPN/SEC Network |
Quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Jordan Watkins both had enormous games on Saturday as Ole Miss took down rival Arkansas 63-31 in Fayetteville.
Dart was named National Quarterback of the Week by the Davey O’Brien Foundation on Tuesday alongside Maxwell Award Player of the Week, honors given to the best overall player on a week-to-week basis. Dart was also named AP National Player of the Week on Monday.
Jordan Watkins also made waves on Tuesday, bringing home the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week Award after earning SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors earlier this week, splitting the title with Dart.
On Saturday, Dart went 25-for-31 through the air for 515 yards and six touchdowns. Watkins caught five of those scores alongside eight total catches and 254 yards. The two formed a lethal dynamic duo against the Razorback secondary.
With Tre Harris absent from last week’s contest, these honors serve as a tremendous confidence booster for the Rebel offense. With Harris missing, Watkins has more than stepped up to compensate in his absence. Another standout performance will be crucial for the Rebels to keep their playoff hopes alive by beating No. 3 Georgia this weekend.
While Watkins’ had 254 of Dart’s passing yardage, Dart added an additional 261 yards among five different recievers. Spreading the ball around again Saturday will also be a major factor in the Rebels securing a win.
The Rebels and Bulldogs are set for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff, and the game will be televised on ABC.
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