Tyrese Haliburton's 'Arkansas alum' joke after Kentucky's loss to Iowa State rings somewhat true

How have former Kentucky players supported John Calipari since he joined Arkansas?

Before March Madness began, the Oklahoma City Thunder posted a video on X asking players who would win the national championship. Guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, both of whom played for Calipari at Kentucky, picked Arkansas. Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned the Wildcats as his second pick, but Wallace was all-in on the Razorbacks. 

"Coach Cal?" the Thunder administrator asked Wallace, who replied, "Yeah."

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who also starred for Calipari at Kentucky, sent the Razorbacks shoes before last season's Sweet 16. Before the 2026 SEC Tournament, he donned red sneakers with a Razorbacks logo.

Why is this a problem for Kentucky? 

NBA stars endorsing Calipari will convince recruits they should play for the coach, even though he's no longer at a traditional basketball power. That likely helped him land freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. 

Acuff, a 2025-26 first-team All-American, has averaged 30 points per game on an outstanding 48.8 percent shooting from the field in two March Madness games. He scored 36 points in a 94-88 win over the No. 12-seed High Point Panthers in the second round, leading the No. 4-seed Razorbacks to a second straight Sweet 16, where they will face the No. 1-seeded Arizona Wildcats on Thursday (9:45 p.m. ET, CBS). 

More talented recruits will soon be coming to Fayetteville. As of Monday, 247 Sports ranks Arkansas' 2026 class No. 1 in the SEC. 

Kentucky, meanwhile, has shifted its focus to the transfer portal since HC Mark Pope replaced Calipari. It reportedly spent $22M on its roster this season. That much to fail to advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five years? 

The reported price tag raises more questions about Kentucky's ability to identify and attract top talent. Pope, however, remains confident that elite players want to play for the Wildcats. 

"This is the greatest place to play basketball in the world," Pope said after the loss to Iowa State, per the school's website.

While Kentucky is considered a great place, many players don't care. They want to compete for someone who gives them a chance to make the NBA. Arkansas clearly has that in Calipari, who has many of his former Kentucky standouts chanting "Woo Pig Sooie" instead of "Go Big Blue."