Contrast that success with Calipari’s first Arkansas team, which needed six tries to notch its first SEC win of the year, and Kentucky fans figure to have plenty of ammunition Saturday. The Razorbacks are just 12-8 overall, and their 1-6 start to SEC play has them looking like a long shot for an NCAA Tournament berth.

The hype surrounding Calipari’s return, capped by Lexington mayor Linda Gorton naming the days leading to the game ‘Basketball Week’ to highlight Saturday’s contest and other local games, is palpable in Kentucky — “What’s more Lexington than basketball?” Gorton said in a statement.

Former Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino took to social media on Thursday to appeal to Wildcats fans to give former head coach John Calipari a warm welcome in his return to Rupp Arena this weekend. “As you all know,