The leadup to John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena was surrounded by the debate to boo or cheer the former Wildcat coach.

Fans were split. Some voiced their appreciation for the success and memories between 2010 – 2019, while others voiced their displeasure with the underwhelming performances of the last four seasons.

That carried into the pregame environment inside Rupp Arena. Some fans were holding custom signs saying, “Welcome home Coach Cal”, while others wore t-shirts with Calipari sporting a red clown nose.

As he and former players walked out of the away team tunnel many fans were clapping, but were overpowered by the volume of boos. Something that his wife, Ellen Calipari, found disappointing.

Following Arkansas’ win, Ellen posted a photo of a Calipari-Arkansas shirt with the caption “Proud of some Razorback men.”

In the comments, she responded to several messages from Arkansas and Kentucky fans, including one who apologized for the booing from the fans. “The booing of him and the players was disappointing,” Ellen responded.

Stepping into Rupp Arena for the first time since leaving Kentucky last April, John Calipari sat down with ESPN color announcer Jimmy Dykes on Friday night. The two looked back at Calipari’s time at Kentucky, something he says will never be erased.

“Nothing is erased here for me,” he said. “What we did in that span of time, you can’t erase. It’s history, it’s written, it’s done.”

Calipari is correct in that. He helped raise four banners into the rafters of Rupp Arena, including the 2012 National Championship banner. Those will never be forgotten and one day his name will be raised into rafters.

Until then, he is an opposing coach. While there is debate on whether to boo or cheer him, he isn’t expecting a warm welcome, but he is expecting a lot of emotion.

“As we get closer to game time, I know the emotions will build. The fans should be able to do what they want,” Calipari said. “If they want to boo, they can boo. If they want to cheer, they can cheer. I’m not expecting an overwhelming reaction. At the end of the day, I’m an opposing coach. I’m not coming in here to lose this game. I get it. It’s a big game for the fans — ‘We’ve got to crush Cal and Arkansas,’ all of that. I’ve done this long enough. I always say, if I go to an opponent’s court, I almost expect it. I’m not looking up and seeing [the crowd], you just coach the game.”

While his time at Kentucky is over, he complimented Mark Pope on the job he has done in his first season and wishes him success.

“It’s someone else’s turn,” Calipari said with a smile.

Thank you for the memories Cal, until your name is in the rafters.

Nate Ament, a five-star prospect ranked fourth (ESPN 100) in the 2025 class, made an official visit to potential suitor Tennessee last Tuesday, Jan. 27. Unfortunately for them, Mark Pope and his Kentucky Wildcats were in town.

The ‘Cats put on a show in front of the highly-touted recruit, spoiling the Volunteer’s homecoming and making a statement to a player who has yet to make an official commitment.

Not only that, but Kentucky is still in the mix. Ament recently cut down his list of schools to a final bunch: BYU, Duke, Louisville, Tennessee, Alabama, and the Big Blue, among others.

While Duke currently holds the next visit and opportunity to sway Ament in their direction, Coach Pope made sure he got a word in after the win against Tennessee.

“Let’s go Nate”

According to KSR’s Jacob Polacheck, Pope reportedly passed Ament as he left the handshake line, saying “Let’s go Nate,” and C’mon, Nate.” There are few ways more effective to prove yourself and your system to a player than to win in convincing fashion right in front of them.

Without a doubt, Pope earned himself and the program a few brownie points with that one.

If Kentucky were to land Ament, he’d fit right into the ranks of recruits that Pope has landed so far. Then again, a 6’9 forward averaging nearly 20 points per game in high school could likely find a spot just about anywhere.

According to Ament, two of the most important aspects of his decision are “player development” and “the family aspect of the team.”

“Wherever I go I want to make sure I’m taken care of and have the best relationships. I also want to be challenged to get better and play for a coach that lets me play through my mistakes,” he said.

If Mark Pope is known for anything, it’s his personable approach to coaching and his constant insistence on study and improvement. For Ament, it seems like Kentucky is the perfect fit, and as long as the Wildcats are in the mix, Pope can’t be counted out.