Is This Real? Would Calipari Face Memphis?
According to John Calipari, Arkansas men’s basketball coach, the Razorbacks and Memphis Tigers have discussed a potential matchup. That matchup would be an exhibition meeting before the 2025-26 season, along with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Why was Cal in town? What were his thoughts on Penny at Memphis? We take a deeper look into the Tuesday night event and what could be to come in the future.
Why Was Cal In Memphis?
Cal was back in the city that once loved him and his every action while leading the Tigers to the 2008 national championship game in a historic season for Memphis, and from a national perspective at the time.
In a previously announced appearance at Ghost River Brewery and Taproom, as part of the One Razorback Roadshow, Calipari joined Arkansas athletic director, Hunter Yuracheck, and Kelsi Musick, the newly named women’s basketball coach, for a night which included fan questions from guests. Razorback men’s basketball color analyst Matt Zimmerman and Hogs+ host Tera Talmadge were the emcees, and the question was asked to Cal whether there was any possibility of his former and current teams meeting on the hardwood.
So You Are Saying There Is A Chance
Cal transparently told those in attendance, “We talked about an exhibition game ahead of the 2025-26 season, and I think it would be something with St. Jude involved.” Memphis fans may remember a 2024 exhibition contest with North Carolina, along the same charity game line, partnering with St. Jude that included a women’s basketball matchup with South Carolina in the inaugural Hoops For St. Jude Tip Off Classic.
While the headline was the announcement of the conversation and potential game, Calipari would add to this with, “If they could bring back my players and do something that celebrated that group. I’d have great interest in that.”
We will get into the players of the Calipari era, and his comments shortly, but first, we want to look at this potential meeting.
History Runs Deep
When it comes to Memphis and Arkansas basketball, there is plenty to remember. In a series that began in the 1966-67 season, these programs are not strangers to one another. In the archives of the 1976-1980 and 1991-2003 basketball seasons, these programs produced magical moments. The Arkansas 1994-1995 season with a 1-point win over Memphis, followed by a 96-91 Sweet 16 win over the Tigers in the NCAA Tournament.
The following season a top-ten ranked Memphis squad led by Cedric Henderson, Chris Garner, and others took down Arkansas 94-72 on a nationally televised ESPN game. Most recently, these two programs met in the Bahamas, in the 2023 Battle 4 Atlantis event, with Memphis prevailing 84-79 over a former Arkasnas, and current USC head coach, Eric Musselman led team.
What Else Did Cal Say?
As we know, John Calipari doesn’t hold back when asked questions. When speaking on the job that Penny Hardaway, Cal stated, “I think Penny’s doing a great job.” along with “Having all free agents at the end of every year. And the leagues that are above you are coming down to grab your guys.”
This brings an interesting topic to the conversation, as many fans of Memphis specifically seem to dismiss the American Athletic Conference and the talent within. In a sense, Cal spoke to this when saying, “That doesn’t mean your program is below them. But they’re bigger league has more resources. It just makes it hard, and that’s why I say he’s done a great job.”
We have admittedly been harsh of Hardaway and his issues with the NCAA, “Scandalous Letters”, and the team’s performances, Calipari is 1000% correct in his statement. When you look at how Hardaway has swam the waters of the NIL, Portal, and modern day college athletics the consistent hard work and willingness to learn and conform has served the Memphis well.
What Players Could Return?
In what would be a monumental occasion if this game, albeit an exhibition, comes to fruition, Calipari did seem to want Memphis to get, as he put it, “My guys” in order to bring more interest from the former nine-year Tigers coach. While we understand fully that names from Tigers’ past like Derrick Rose, Joey Dorsey, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Antonio Anderson, and many others will bring fans to the game as well as national eyes, this game will have this already.
Would we see players such as Tyreke Evans, who also coached for Josh Pastner, former Memphis, and current UNLV head coach? Speaking of Pastner and the Runnin’ Rebels, they will be visiting Memphis on November 16th next season. No matter who the players are in FedEx Forum, the fans of both programs have been clamoring for this game, especially with the former Tiger at the helm of the Razorbacks. Fans in the Bluff City have much resentment for Calipari alone, then, you add the Razorback logo, and this is turned up to even higher levels in the potential contest.
In closing, we are refreshed with the conversation between the programs. With the current three-game series in football, this series makes sense. In reality, these two programs meeting in numerous sports need to happen.
