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John Calipari’s Confusing Admission After Johnell Davis’ Free Throw in Arkansas-South Carolina

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 4:09 PM ET

The Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team began the SEC Tournament with a 72-68 win over South Carolina.

Arkansas had a 47-30 lead at halftime and 61-48 with just over 10 minutes to play. However, South Carolina stormed back with a 14-3 run to cut the deficit to two with 49 seconds remaining.

The final minute was back and forth between the teams. With Arkansas up 70-68, Johnell Davis went to the lie and drained two shots to give the Razorbacks a a four-point lead lead and ultimately the victory.

As it turns out, Arkansas head coach John Calipari reportedly told Davis to intentionally miss one free throw.

Arkansas was up 71-68, and Davis instead inadvertently made the free throw to extend the lead to four.

Here's how it happened.

Arkansas just tried to intentionally miss a free throw up 3 with 2 seconds to go pic.twitter.com/DvaaK2aDiF
— Pikkit (@pikkitsports) March 12, 2025

After the game, Calipari admitted he told Davis to miss the free throw.

"When it two seconds to go, I said miss it and the best thing they can do is throw it deep," Calipari said. "I've done that before."

Here is Calipari on telling Davis to miss the FT up 71-68…

He said he’s happy he made it pic.twitter.com/cobGGTgz6i
— Tim Murray (@1TimMurray) March 12, 2025

"I'm really happy he banked it in," Calipari added.

A missed free throw and a South Carolina desperation three-pointer would've tied the game at 71, so it was a bit of a confusing thought process from Calipari.

At the end of the day, South Carolina fell just short despite a huge comeback, and Arkansas survived another day in the SEC Tournament.

Arkansas will face Ole Miss on Thursday at 1 pm EST.

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

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