Report: Arkansas finalizing exhibition game to pit John Calipari against former Memphis team

Another reunion of sorts appears to be on the way for Arkansas coach John Calipari. This time he’s potentially in line to coach against Memphis, the squad he coached from 2000-09.

The long-time college basketball coach will reportedly get a chance to square off against Memphis in a preseason exhibition contest with Arkansas ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Hitmen Hoops reports that, with the help of St. Jude’s, the two programs are working to finalize the exhibition game.

It would be John Calipari’s first game against Memphis since he left for the Kentucky job following the 2008-09 season with the Tigers. Of course, it would simply be an exhibition game.

But as they go, that’s a pretty good pull. Hitmen Hoops adds that there is “steam” toward former Memphis players being honored during the game, as well.

Calipari’s journey as a coach has been well documented. It has included some significant recent swings.

After reaching the NCAA title game with Memphis, John Calipari left a year later for the Kentucky job. He then won a national title with the Wildcats during the 2011-12 season, his third year with the program.

Despite a real run of NCAA Tournament success, though, Calipari was never able to fully recapture the magic. And after four straight seasons without advancing to the second weekend of the tournament, Calipari finally up and left Kentucky for another program.

His stunning move brought him to Arkansas, where he would face Kentucky at least once per year. And he showed some remarkable coaching chops in his first year with the Razorbacks.

Despite dealing with a slew of injuries, John Calipari helped Arkansas to a 22-14 record that included a pair of wins in the NCAA Tournament. The team reached the Sweet 16.

They’ll be looking to build on that success going forward. And now, one of the first steps in that journey is reportedly near official: a meeting with Memphis.