FAYETTEVILLE — First-year Arkansas coach John Calipari said Thursday he was in contact with athletics director Hunter Yurachek over the upcoming seating overhaul at Bud Walton Arena and understands the need for it and the concern of average fans.

Former Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino took to social media on Thursday to appeal to Wildcats fans to give former head coach John Calipari a warm welcome in his return to Rupp Arena this weekend. “As you all know,

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.