John Calipari threatens to make Arkansas go back to 'eighth grade shit' on offense

No. 21 Arkansas narrowly avoided what would have been a disastrous home loss to Winthrop Saturday night. The Razorbacks took the win 84-83 after coming back from a five-point deficit with 1:26 remaining in regulation.

The Eagles shot the lights out, as they made 15 of their 31 three-point attempts. Overall, they shot 48% from the field, which was just barely worse than Arkansas‘ 50% mark. The Razorbacks however made just six of their 17 three-point shots, but were a stellar 20-22 from the free-throw stripe.

Following the close victory, Arkansas head coach John Calipari threatened to make his team go back to ‘eighth grade shit’ on offense, consisting of five to six passes before a shot is put up.

“(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 (Pringle) 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 shit. We’re gonna go eighth grade. You’ve got to pass it five or six times.”

“Coach (Bob) Knight had a lot of fun doing that. That’s how they played. That ball’s moving and you’re screening, and until we get to this, you’re not shooting the ball. I’m not talking transition. You know in transition, we’re as good as any coach in the country.”

Arkansas was carried in a massive way by freshman guard Meleek Thomas, who poured in 26 points on 10-20 shooting from the field. Thomas was the lone player to cross the 15-point mark for the Razorbacks, and he did it in 34 minutes off the bench. His strong play at the guard spot was crucial, as point guard D.J. Wagner struggled mightily. He had just two points on 0-5 shooting in 18 minutes.

The win must serve as a wake-up call for the Hogs, as they have marquee non-conference matchups against No. 5 Duke and No. 6 Louisville next on the docket following their game against Jackson State on Friday.