John Calipari wants Arkansas to be 'jacked and juiced' for SEC play

The Arkansas Razorbacks are feeling good in John Calipari's first season, with the team at 10-2 heading into what can be deemed as a "Christmas break" in their schedule.

Their last game was a 95-67 win over North Carolina A&T on Dec. 21. Their next game will be on Dec. 30 against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, one of the darlings of last spring's March Madness.

It's another few days off before a Jan. 4 matchup with top-ranked Tennessee, and at that point, it's on for the Razorbacks. The SEC schedule is going to hit hot and heavy, and sure, Calipari knows a thing or two about coaching in the conference. He recently revealed that he's relaying to his players that now is the time to rest, though, because the SEC slate is going to be no joke.

“Like I told them, you want to win the game and go for Christmas, breathe for the first time, and then come back here absolutely jacked and juiced – let’s go,” said Calipari, according to On3. “Let’s get ready for the grind that’s ahead of us.”

Tennessee — currently 11-0 — is the start of that grind, but Arkansas' next two games come against No. 16 Ole Miss and No. 6 Florida. Then there's a road stretch against LSU and Missouri, and how about this stretch of games? The Razorbacks play No. 12 Oklahoma on Jan. 25, followed by games at No. 10 Kentucky, Texas and then back home against No. 5 Alabama on Feb. 5.

Calipari is right. The Razorbacks are going to have to come back from this break "jacked and juiced." If they don't, they could very quickly lose their No. 23 ranking.