MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The John Calipari era at Arkansas got one last look before the real season begins.
The Razorbacks overcame a shaky first half to surge past Memphis 99-75 on Monday night at FedExForum, wrapping up preseason play with a complete team effort.
Before tipoff, Calipari received a warm ovation from Tigers fans who remembered his run in Memphis from 2000 to 2009, a tenure that included a trip to the 2008 national championship game.
Though the game didn’t count in the standings, the energy in the building resembled a regular-season matchup.
Arkansas looked sluggish early, committing eight first-half turnovers against the Tigers’ swarming defensive pressure.
Memphis’ ball denial and transition play helped them build a 45-42 halftime advantage, as Quante Berry’s three-point play at the buzzer capped a strong opening half.
Calipari said afterward the early struggles were expected.
“We needed this kind of challenge,” he said later. “Memphis plays physical, and they sped us up. That’s what I wanted to see before we start counting the games.”
Thomas leads second-half breakout
Freshman guard Meleek Thomas delivered his best performance yet, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Fourteen of those points came in the first half, helping Arkansas stay within striking distance before he and his teammates took control after the break.
“Coach told us we had to match their intensity,” Thomas said. “We locked in defensively and started sharing the ball better.”
Thomas’ defensive energy was contagious. He recorded four steals, including two during an 18-2 Razorback run that turned a three-point deficit into a double-digit lead early in the second half.
Arkansas maintained its composure, attacking the rim and controlling the boards — areas that plagued them in the first 20 minutes.
Calipari has emphasized conditioning and pace during preseason practices, aiming for an up-tempo style that maximizes his roster’s depth and athleticism. Monday’s second half offered a glimpse of that identity.
Calipari pleased with growth, points to depth
Calipari said afterward he saw tangible progress.
“In the second half, we played Razorback basketball — defending, rebounding, running,” he said. “When we’re focused, we can play with anybody.”
Alongside Thomas, Arkansas got balanced scoring from its rotation. Junior forward Trevon Brazile added 14 points and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Layden Blocker contributed 11 points off the bench.
The Razorbacks’ defense held Memphis to just 37 percent shooting in the second half.
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, who used the game to test different lineups, liked Arkansas’ physicality down the stretch.
“They came out after halftime and punched us in the mouth,” Hardaway told The Commercial Appeal. “That’s a team that’s going to win a lot of games in the SEC.”
The win capped a 2-0 exhibition slate for the Razorbacks, who also defeated Cincinnati earlier in the week.
More importantly, it gave Calipari another opportunity to evaluate rotations and chemistry ahead of next week’s regular-season opener against Southern at Bud Walton Arena.
Razorbacks look ahead to regular season
For Calipari, Monday’s game provided more than just a nostalgic return to Memphis — it served as a preview of what his young team can become.
“This group has talent, but it’s about habits,” Calipari said. “We’ve got to build those day by day. Tonight showed what happens when we stay together.”
The Razorbacks will open their 2025-26 season at home next Tuesday, hosting Southern in Fayetteville.
With the pieces now in place and momentum from a strong exhibition stretch, Arkansas appears ready to test itself in one of college basketball’s toughest conferences.
Key takeaways:
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Meleek Thomas scored 23 points with seven rebounds and four steals.
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Arkansas used an 18-2 second-half run to pull away from Memphis.
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John Calipari’s return to Memphis drew a warm ovation and a strong team performance.
