It's all come down to today. It's the game college basketball has been waiting for. John Calipari is bringing Arkansas to Kentucky for the first time since becoming the head Hog.
Unfortunately, the build-up has been anticlimactic. Arkansas basketball has gotten off to its worst conference start in decades, while Mark Pope has led the Wildcats to some success in his first season.
Kentucky ranks in the top 5 in offensive efficiency, according to Kempom, with four players averaging double-digit points. On the other hand, the Wildcats are significantly worse in defensive efficiency, ranking 70th. For comparison, Oklahoma is ranked 78th.
With the game happening in Rupp Arena paired with Kentucky's explosive offensive, it'll be an uphill battle for the Hogs, to say the least. However, if Arkansas can find a way to slow them down with its 35th-ranked defense, it might have a shot to make the game interesting late.
How to watch, listen, or stream Arkansas Basketball vs Kentucky
1. How to watch Arkansas basketball vs Kentucky
- Date: Feb. 1, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM (CT)
- Network: ESPN
- Streaming: FuboTV
2. How to listen
- Fayetteville: Station KQSM-FM, Channel 92.1
- Little Rock: Station KABZ-FM, Channel 103.7
- Texarkana: Station KKTK-AM, Channel AM 1400
- Jonesboro: Station KJXK-FM, Channel 106.5
3. Arkansas vs Kentucky betting odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.com
Spread: -10.5 Kentucky
Arkansas Moneyline: +400
Kentucky Moneyline: -550
Over/under: 155.5
4. Key Kentucky players
- G Otega Oweh: 15.9 Pts, 50.0 FG%, 31.9 3FG%, 4.6 Reb, 1.8 Ast, 1.7 Stl
- G Lamont Butler: 13.2 Pts, 51.3 FG%, 40 3FG%, 2.9 Reb, 4.8 Ast, 1.8 Stl
- C Amari Williams: 9.8 Pts, 56.5 FG%, 8.9 Reb, 2.7 Ast, 1.5 Blk
5. Key Arkansas players
- F Adou Thiero: 16.1 Pts, 57.2 FG%, 6.2 Reb, 1.9 Ast, 1.8 Stl
- G DJ Wagner: 10.2 Pts. 41. FG%, 32.9 3FG%. 3.2 Reb, 2.8 Ast, 1.1 Stl
- F Zvonimir Ivisic: 7.4 Pts, 47.7 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 3.7 Reb, 1.8 Blk
6. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope
- Career record: 202-113 (.641)
- First season with the Wildcats
- Led Utah Valley and BYU to at least 20-win season in six of the last seven seasons
7. Arkansas head coach John Calipari
- Career Record: 867-271 (.762)
- First season with the Hogs
- Naismith Hall of Fame Coach
- Six Final Four births, three national title games and a national championship