Rick Pitino knows a thing or two about leaving Kentucky -- and returning. And now with John Calipari set to return to Rupp Arena with Arkansas on Saturday night (9 p.m., ESPN), the St. John’s coach has some advice on how Big Blue Nation should treat their former coach.

The coaching contract details for Mark Pope at Kentucky and John Calipari at Arkansas ahead of Saturday’s SEC basketball showdown in Rupp Arena.

Good morning, folks! We’re in for a busy day in the world of Kentucky basketball. First, we’ll hear from men’s head coach Mark Pope this afternoon as he prepares for Saturday’s highly-anticipated showdown against John Calipari‘s Arkansas Razorbacks.

Contrast that success with Calipari’s first Arkansas team, which needed six tries to notch its first SEC win of the year, and Kentucky fans figure to have plenty of ammunition Saturday. The Razorbacks are just 12-8 overall, and their 1-6 start to SEC play has them looking like a long shot for an NCAA Tournament berth.

The Kentucky Wildcats are transitioning into a new era under Mark Pope. Even so, they’re still a blue-collar program, and, as such, they’re expected to compete at the highest level. That’s why it’s been so frustrating to watch them get off to slow starts and dig themselves into big holes to start games.

Tennessee fought back within 74-73 with 28.6 seconds left on a Chaz Lanier 3-pointer but Otega Oweh, who had 14 points, buried four free throws to seal the deal. The win moved Kentucky to 15-5, 4-3 in the SEC and dropped Tennessee to 17-4, 4-4. The Hogs are a stunning 12-8, 1-6.

Kentucky will be without both of its point guards Tuesday night against the No. 1-rated defense in college basketball. What will Mark Pope do?

John Calipari and the Arkansas basketball team have a big one this weekend as they be hitting the road to take on #12 Kentucky. Calipari was obviously the head coach of the Wildcats last year and had been the head coach since 2009.

Both the Arkansas and Kentucky programs have three signees in the 2025 class, and both will bring in five-star talent later this year. The Hogs and Wildcats also both have at least one McDonald’s All-American as part of their respective 2025 recruiting groups.

Arkansas basketball is irrelevant in its first season under John Calipari. Cal's return to Rupp Arena is now just another game for Kentucky basketball

John Calipari won more than 400 games during his 15 seasons leading Kentucky basketball. Many of those wins came in Lexington. These five stand out.