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John Calipari reacts to double technical involving Nick Pringle

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz20 hours agoNickSchultz_7
Nick Pringle technical foul in Arkansas vs. Winthrop
© Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

In the final minutes of Tuesday’s game against Winthrop, Arkansas forward Nick Pringle got caught in the middle of a tense moment. He and Logan Duncomb got called for double technical fouls after a skirmish following a Pringle layup.

It also led to some ejections, including DJ Wagner and Isaiah Sealy, for coming off the bench. After the game, John Calipari shared his reaction.

Calipari said while he had not seen the video yet, he made it clear players can’t push. He added it could’ve been worse, if the technical fouls didn’t offset. That would’ve given Winthrop an opportunity to hit key free throws to potentially pull off a stunning early season upset.

“I didn’t watch the tape,” Calipari said. “Until I see if the kid grabbed him around, but you just can’t push. Just leave it alone. But we had 19 guys on the court, they had 17 guys on the court. It’s not what you want to see for an ending. But what would’ve been worse, if it was only us or if it was a technical, they shoot the free throws, now you lose the game.”

Winthrop looked like it could have the makings of an upset at Bud Walton Arena as the Eagles went back-and-forth with Arkansas. But Pringle’s layup with 11 seconds left proved to be the difference as Daylen Berry’s jump shot missed at the buzzer, meaning the Razorbacks survived with an 84-83 victory.

However, John Calipari said he’s willing to go back to the basics to ensure Arkansas is fully executing its offense. In fact, he said going to “eighth grade sh*t” could be in the cards.

“(Winthrop)’s not afraid,” Calipari said. “They were coming in pushing and shoving. Go rebound. They’re not gonna rebound on you if you’re bodying them. It’s not on these players, it’s on me. The one thing we did at the end out of a timeout, one of the first things we’ve executed this year, was when Nick threw it in to (Trevon Brazile) and we ended up getting that basket, which was a huge basket by the way. But, execution (is key).”

“How about, we might go back to how you guys grew up, if any of you ever played basketball. Where you had to pass it five times before you shoot it. Did you all do that? I think we’re gonna do that. Eighth grade sh*t. We’re gonna go eighth grade. You’ve got to pass it five or six times.”