When John Calipari returned to Rupp Arena last year, he was met with a chorus of boos. He played it off as "just another game," claiming his team was simply more desperate. That night featured three technical fouls and ended with Arkansas running away with a win.
Flash forward to Saturday night in Fayetteville, and the talking points hadn't changed. Before the game, Arkansas assistant Kenny Payne was out there telling anyone who would listen that this matchup "wasn't personal."
Well, Arkansas certainly didn't act that way once the ball was tipped.
In a game that featured six technical fouls and a Flagrant 1, the "just another game" narrative officially died. This wasn't basketball; it was a street fight.
Tensions boil over early
The animosity started in the first half. After a Malique Ewin free throw, Otega Oweh stepped into the lane, maybe being a little bit of a nuisance, but nothing egregious. Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile took exception and gave Oweh a shove. That sparked a "kerfuffle" that saw Oweh and former UK commit Billy Richmond trading shoves and words.
The result? Double technicals on Oweh and Richmond.
The instigator (Brazile)? He got off scot-free.
Then came the sequence that nearly ruined the game. In just 39 seconds, Kentucky was hit with three technical fouls. It was a wild bit of officiating where the referees tried to "get control" of the game, but instead just lost their minds.
- Brandon Garrison barked at an opponent. Tech.
- Mo Dioubate flexed at a camera. Tech.
- Mark Pope defended his team. Tech.
But instead of cracking, Kentucky used the chaos as fuel. They stopped settling for jumpers and started driving downhill, forcing the refs to make the same calls on the other end.
The cheap shots
As the game slipped away from Arkansas, the "not personal" facade completely crumbled. First, Malique Ewin looked down and threw the ball at Mo Dioubate after a play. It hit him in the head, and Ewin then stepped over him. Was it a fastball? No. But it was dumb, disrespectful, and a clear technical foul.
But the worst moment came with 14 seconds left. With the game clearly over, Trevon Brazile crashed out.
Instead of allowing Kentucky to dribble out the clock, Brazile grabbed Trent Noah and slung him around by the jersey and shoulder. It was a dirty play born out of frustration. The refs reviewed it and correctly upgraded it to a Flagrant 1.
So, let's recap: Six technicals. One Flagrant 1. A halftime scuffle. Do you still think Kenny Payne was telling the truth?
Otega Oweh certainly doesn't. Speaking with Dave Pasch and Fran Fraschilla after the win, Oweh didn't mince words about the intensity of the matchup.
"It was definitely personal," Oweh said.
It sure felt like it.
The two teams won't meet again in the regular season, but with the SEC standings bunched up, don't be surprised if we see the two lock up again next month in Nashville. And if we do, expect the technical foul count to be just as high.
Updated SEC Standings
1. Texas A&M (17-4, 7-1) - Won 4
2. Florida (15-6, 6-2) - Won 1
3. Vanderbilt (19-3, 6-3) - Won 3
4. Kentucky (15-7, 6-3) - Won 1
5. Arkansas (16-6, 6-3) - Lost 1
6. Tennessee (15-6, 5-3) - Won 3
7. Alabama (14-6, 4-3) - Won 1
8. Missouri (15-7, 5-4) - Won 1
9. Auburn (14-8, 5-4) - Lost 1
10. Georgia (16-6, 4-5) - Lost 3
11. Texas (13-9, 4-5) - Won 1
12. Ole Miss (11-10, 3-5) - Lost 3
13. Mississippi State (11-11, 3-6) - Lost 1
14. LSU (14-8, 2-7) - Won 1
15. South Carolina (11-11, 2-7) - Lost 3
16. Oklahoma (11-11, 1-8) - Lost 8
Alabama and Florida today at 1 PM.