HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Arkansas began its preseason schedule Sunday with an intrasquad scrimmage at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs, and John Calipari saw both promise and room for refinement.
The event, dubbed the Razorback Tip-Off Scrimmage, included two 20-minute segments in which Calipari swapped rosters midstream to assess rotations, effort and cohesion.
“Practices were hard last year,” Calipari said. “For a while, we had five guys, and I know some people here were mad, ‘We watched a practice.’ Yeah, we had no — there’s nothing else we could have done.
“Next Friday, Cincinnati’s coming to town, and then we go to Memphis that Monday and play. It’s good because we need to play against those teams.
“Playing against ourselves, the kids were competitive. They battled. They did some good stuff.”
Scrimmage statistics hint at rotation options
Unofficial box score totals from Arkansas’ internal scrimmage gave fans a peek at who could push for playing time. Notables included:
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Meleek Thomas: 21 points, 3 rebounds
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Darius Acuff Jr.: 20 points, 2 rebounds
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Karter Knox: 19 points, 7 rebounds
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Malique Ewin: 19 points, 12 rebounds
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Nick Pringle: 22 points, 10 rebounds
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Trevon Brazile: 15 points, 9 rebounds
Beyond scoring, rebounding, defensive positioning and energy stood out in the full-court work.
Calipari’s decision to alternate sides mid-scrimmage allowed the coaching staff to evaluate internal matchups.
The scrimmage is the second consecutive Tip-Off event for the Razorbacks, following last season’s limited version that was hampered by injuries.
Depth, chemistry and early challenges
One recurring theme from the event: Arkansas still has work to do in sorting out depth and consistency across its roster.
Though the potential could be seen, being on the same page in motion sets and defensive discipline held room for improvement.
Calipari has previously conceded that roster limitations hampered Arkansas last year.
“I’m going to say it again, it’s not only being injured, you can’t have three or four of your seven play poorly and you expect to win,” he said earlier this year.
He also acknowledged the strain of a small roster and emphasized how injuries limited development and continuity.
Now, with more availability in the preseason, the team got its first extended run at full five-on-five competition.
That format helps the coaching staff better gauge depth, rotations and matchups against themselves before meaningful exhibitions and schedule games.
Arkansas’ official schedule lists an exhibition against Cincinnati at Bud Walton Arena on Oct. 24, followed by a game in Memphis on Oct. 27.
Calipari’s mindset and program goals
Calipari enters his second season at Arkansas with ambition and reflection. Though still in his early tenure, he has tied measurable goals to his impact on players beyond the court.
“If I can’t impact kids, this will be my last year,” he declared during the offseason, acknowledging that coaching for him is more than wins and losses.
He has also voiced concern over the state of the transfer portal and NIL structure, saying unchecked volatility in those areas could undermine the coach-player bond. In one recent remark, he described the complexity of NIL deals by pointing out that “There were 26-, 27-year-old players playing against 18-year-olds. I look at a kid, he’s waving to his wife and their kids … And it was the second wife.”
Still, he is no stranger to high expectations and pressure.
Last season’s turnaround, from a rough start to a Sweet 16 appearance, remains a hallmark of his Arkansas tenure. Arkansas knocked off Kansas and St. John’s before falling in overtime to Texas Tech.
In addition, Calipari guided the Razorbacks to a signature road win over Kentucky in Lexington, his former program, receiving a mixture of boos and cheers in his return.
Next steps and what to watch
Arkansas now shifts to official exhibitions and nonconference matchups to further refine play. Key focal points in the coming weeks:
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How internal rotations stabilize under competitive stress
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Which role players absorb consistent minutes
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Defensive identity — guarding screens, interior presence
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Chemistry with new additions, including freshmen and transfers
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Injury management and stamina across game stretches
Arkansas’ full 2025-26 schedule includes high profile games and neutral-site battles.
Among them is a holiday appointment with Duke on Thanksgiving in Chicago, part of the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic.
That matchup will serve as an early measuring stick for how Calipari’s version of the Razorbacks stacks up on a national scale.
Three Key Takeaways
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The scrimmage offered Arkansas a chance to test full five-on-five lineups and evaluate internal depth for 2025-26.
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Several players showed scoring and rebounding punch, but consistency and chemistry remain work in progress.
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Calipari’s broader focus includes both basketball results and long-term player impact; his stakes are tied to both.
