FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Lost in the glow of a surprisingly big win over No. 1 Kansas and high-level guard play, Arkansas head coach John Calipari issued a stark warning that many people missed it. It will be a united team, full of love, loyalty and responsibility, and this must not be violated.

“We only had three turnovers at halftime,” Calipari said. “We had 10 in the second half. How the hell do you have 10 in the second half? And several of them came at once for no reason. Why would you do that? We even asked a quarterback -back to throw an interception and run down the field and say stuff to the receiver so everyone knows it was his fault, not mine.

This was said less than 30 seconds into Calipari’s press conference. He wasn’t going to wait to address the things he didn’t want to see on the field.

Calipari knows players will want to rewatch the coach’s press conference after a good game to try to soak up as much praise as possible. And there was some praise, but it only came after a few more points had been worked out in case any players were looking to click in favor of the latest hot TikTok video.

The biggest thing Calipari looks for is players who will fight. One of the biggest indicators of this is his unflinching abandon on rebounds, where he directly challenged his players.

“Rebounding (was a problem),” Calipari said. “I know we don’t have Jonas, so maybe that solves some problems, but I had to tell a few guys that if you don’t rebound and find balls, I can’t play you. This league is a men’s league. If you get pushed around or they outplay you for balls, then I have to play someone else.

It was made clear that players could participate or spend the year watching everyone else play. There is simply no room on the field for players who are going to give up points due to a lack of dedication to the little things that determine games.

“What hurt us the most was the second chance points, and there were a lot of them, and it was two or three guys,” Calipari said. “‘Either you get this ball, or I’ll put someone else in it. Are you ready?’
“A drill in a box?” »
‘No. You get it or he gets it, and if he gets it, then I put someone else in it. Then you fight and find those bullets.'”

One thing Calipari wants to find are those who not only fight, but are willing to listen to their general. If they want to do things their way, then there is no place for them in the game.

“I told the guys afterward, I have to help find two or three of these guys,” Calipari said. “This is how you’re going to play and you’re going to look like a star or you can beat me and I’m not going to play with you. Nelly (Johnell Davis), I tell them, he’s going to play guys because he’s going to fight. will beat.

The Razorbacks won’t have the energy of the home crowd to push them Friday night in Fort Worth. In addition to a theoretically hostile audience, the players will face their coach who has made it clear what he expects of them.

They can fight for their team, face responsibility when they make mistakes and succeed, or they can find a place on the bench. Calipari has already made his intentions known and clarified what awaits those who don’t want to come on board.

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