5 John Calipari Quotes of Note Following Lipscomb Win

No. 16 Arkansas opened the 2024-25 season with a 76-60 victory over Lipscomb on Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville (Ark.). Here are 5 quotes of note from John Calipari following the win:

Limiting Lipscomb to 60 Points

Lipscomb scored 77 points at Duquesne on Monday, but Arkansas held the Bisons to 60 despite allowing nine threes throughout the course of the game. Forcing 19 turnovers and holding Lipscomb to 37% shooting from the field went a long way towards the effort.

“If you can guard the ball and you’re not in a bunch of rotations, you’re going to be pretty good. If you can guard the ball — are you ready for this statement — occupy your man’s eyes, we’ve got all these guys behind you that will block shots. 

“There were a couple today, and TB didn’t go after it. It was right there. Go block that ball. And got on him about it. Because, again, that could have changed the game and blew the game wide open. But you have to guard the ball.

“The other thing is you have to have some toughness and rough. I thought Nelly did some good stuff today physically. And it’s nice to have him and Adou… Adou just got tired. He was exhausted. But he still did some good stuff.”

Arkansas’ 4-19 Shooting From 3-Point Range

Arkansas missed its first nine three-pointers before Johnell Davis took the lid off late in the first half. Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Zvonimir Ivisic were the others who made one triple a piece.

“How about this thought — make a three. How about that thought.

“You make 7 or 8 today, you get 3 or 4 more today, I want you to think of the score. And we had 19 threes. I’m glad we didn’t shoot more, because we’d have missed more. But the good news is, we threw the ball inside today and we did some good stuff. So we know we can do it. 

“But we’re throwing it around the perimeter trying to shoot the three. That’s not how you do it. You get in the lane, you throw it, you make that three. You throw an extra pass and they’re wide open. If you can’t make those, I get it.

“You know how you get better? You get in the gym and you’re disciplined how you’re shooting the ball. So you shoot it the same way every time. And then you go in the game and you shoot it that way. And then demonstrated performance — you go in the game and you make threes — builds your confidence.”

Big Z’s Big Contributions Helped Seal The Win Late

Zvonimir Ivisic scored eight of his 12 points in the final seven minutes of the game, including a huge three-pointer that ended an 11-0 Lipscomb run. He also added three rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

“We were throwing him the ball. We just said, ‘We’re throwing him — ‘ D.J. threw two away. Throw the ball… You want to throw it by his feet? He’s 7-2. Where do you think you would throw it? Up high. He’s 7-2. Don’t throw a spinner. Throw it up high. Then he physically bent over, moved the guy, got to the rim — he’s really skilled.

“He’s got to want to play rough. He made a 3, which was a big 3 that stretched out the game. That’s all fine. If he does that post stuff and rebounds and blocks some shots and gets it better shape, I don’t mind him shooting 3s. As a matter of fact, he’s probably making more 3s than anybody on this team. How ‘bout that statement?”

Hogs Need More Consistent Flashes From Karter Knox

Five-star, McDonald’s All-American freshman Karter Knox figures to be a big piece to the puzzle for Arkansas this season. So far, he has show flashes of brilliance while disappearing for long stretches. Knox had a memorable run with a step-back three and poster dunk in the first half.

“He’s got to be one of those guys, but you can’t just go in the perimeter and do a step-back three. He made one three with the guy on him. Like, why would you shoot that? And it went in. So I didn’t say anything. 

“I tell them, ‘You can shoot hooks from half court for all I care, but you better make it.’ You make a hook from half court, I’m going to say, ‘Great shot, kid, way to put that thing down, bank it in.’ But you better make it. You want to take some stepback throw lefty? That ball better go in. 

“He made that step back. But Karter’s one of those offensive guys we have to have to do what we’re trying to do.”

Increased Role Coming For Billy Richmond?

The freshman wing had his most impactful performance in a Razorback uniform with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a steal in 15 minutes against Lipscomb, and apparently he has surprised Calipari behind the scenes at practice.

“Two days ago we were doing an open drill with middle pick-and-rolls up and down the court and I said ‘Billy, you be the point guard.’ He was ridiculous. He was making all the right plays, he was getting by people, he was throwing… I’m like, you know what? We just found a third point guard. I was going to play him at point today.

“So if you have him in with two point guards, the best teams that I’ve coached had three point guards on the floor. I think we found a third point guard that if so and so is not passing it ahead or holding the ball too much or trying to shoot too much, boom, you either go off-guard or you’re on the bench and we’ll let one of these two play point. 

“With him today, he just scrambles up the game and he’ll fight. He’s got things to work on. He took a tough shot, like, what are you doing? Drive to the rim. That’s what you are, you’re a good passer. You don’t have to prove that. Get in that gym, get better at it and then if there’s an inside-out pass to you, shoot the ball. Shoot it.”