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John Calipari Posts Video Regarding Next Season's Arkansas Razorback Roster

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alec Elijah | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 9:20 AM ET

John Calipari is not approaching his second season at Arkansas the same way he approached his first. With 10 players now committed to the Razorbacks’ roster as of Wednesday, the Hall of Fame coach appears to be learning from the limitations of last year’s squad, one that lacked the depth needed to navigate the demands of a full SEC season.

“We needed to have more,” Calipari admitted in March. “You don’t plan on what happened, but we needed more guys.” His comments reflect a clear pivot from a roster-building approach constrained by NIL challenges and focused too narrowly on a tight core.

Lessons From a Challenging Season

The Razorbacks opened conference play with a 0-5 record, though that wasn’t due to a shortage of talent. Calipari had all nine rotational players available until a key January loss at Missouri, where standout freshman Boogie Fland sustained a thumb injury that required surgery. The setback forced Arkansas to reconfigure its rotation just days before facing Georgia.

Instead of unraveling, the team managed to adapt. Players embraced more defined roles, and the Razorbacks began playing more cohesively. Calipari leaned into the adversity. “I can’t make any trades, I can’t pick up anybody at the wire, this is who it is,” he said. “So, what we’ve done, how do we make this work?”

Coming soon to Bud Walton Arena #WPS pic.twitter.com/Tl9BBlOplI
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) April 17, 2025

A More Balanced, Veteran Core

Now, with a growing roster and additional flexibility, Calipari is laying the foundation for a team built not just on potential, but on proven experience. Monday’s additions of Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle signal a shift toward physicality and maturity, marking a departure from the athletic, youth-driven squad Arkansas fielded last season.

If the current trend continues, next year’s team could be one of Calipari’s oldest since his 2007-08 Memphis squad, which finished as national runner-up and sent multiple players to the NBA. That team succeeded by combining high-end talent with experienced leadership, a formula Calipari may be looking to replicate in Fayetteville.

He talked to the team…THERE IS A TEAM
pic.twitter.com/r6bu3OU6LK
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball (@RazorbackMBB) April 17, 2025

Roster Still in Motion

While Calipari took to social media this week to highlight both current players and incoming freshmen, he also noted, “Not quite finished, but I am excited with this group.” That sentiment points to the possibility of further additions through the transfer portal, with names like Nate Ament and combo-guard targets still being linked to Arkansas.

What’s clear is that the Razorbacks are in the midst of a roster evolution. The uncertainty of last season appears to have given way to a more deliberate, calculated strategy designed to prepare Arkansas for the long haul of a competitive SEC schedule and a potential NCAA Tournament run.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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