Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari has named a couple of factors that may have contributed to his team’s most recent loss. On Saturday, Nov. 8, Calipari and his 2025-26 Razorbacks squad took on coach Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans in away territory, the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, but lost 69-66.
During the post-game press conference, Calipari was asked about his thoughts on Spartans rookie Cam Ward, who dropped a game-high 18 points on 8-for-13 overall shooting, doing so with a double-double of 10 rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes off the bench. Calipari acknowledged that he played well, but also opined that had a couple of his own freshmen played to their potential, the Razorbacks would’ve gotten the upper hand.
“he really played well, and my two didn’t play as well. They had been playing well, but they didn’t today. Again, there were plays that they could’ve made for their teammates and they tried to make it for themselves and didn’t workout so good. Even the last couple of plays, guys were open and they took the shot themselves. So, they didn’t play as well, but they’ve been playing well and I like my two guys. Cam’s good, played good,” Calipari said. (1:16)
It seems as though Calipari was talking about Detroit, Michigan, native Darius Acuff Jr. and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native Meleek Thomas, two first-year players at Arkansas who logged heavy minutes for the team. The former was a starter who provided 16 points, on a lackluster 5-of-16 clip, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 33 minutes. The latter played 29 minutes off the bench and had the same scoring output at the same rate, to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Nevertheless, there is still much to be improved by Calipari and his Razorbacks squad. Before the game against the Spartans, Arkansas defeated Southern Jaguars on their home floor by 32 points, 109-77, which was their first win of the year.
Also Read: Arkansas Coach John Calipari Visits 5-Star Recruit Meleek Thomas, Watches Dominant Showing In-Person
The Arkansas Razorbacks Narrowly Lost To The Michigan State Spartans
As John Calipari said during his post-game presser, the game against coach Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans went down to the wire, as the Arkansas Razorbacks lost by merely three points, 69-66.
Arkansas whiffed a couple of chances to tie up and even win the game, as they now look to get back into the win column on Tuesday, Nov. 11, versus the Central Arkansas Bears. They have a 1-1 overall record so far.
Read More: “What’s the Age Limit Now? Is It 30?”: $13 Million Worth Tom Izzo Slams NCAA After Louisville’s Latest Signing
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