John Calipari made room for two big topics on Wednesday: the Protect College Sports Act and, once again, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek.
Calipari said he supports the PCSA after it cleared the U.S. Senate on Tuesday by a 77-22 vote, even though the House of Representatives is not expected to take it up until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
"You should be calling congressmen and saying, 'We want this bill'," Calipari said.
From there, the Arkansas coach shifted to Yurachek, who has taken plenty of heat from fans since the Razorbacks’ 43-10 loss to Utah on Sept. 12. The football team’s slow start, along with reports that Arkansas sits near the bottom of the SEC in football roster spending, has only added to the frustration around the athletic director.
"I'll say it again: we're one of the few campuses that aren't in debt," Calipari said. "Like deep debt.
We're not in debt. I know everybody's mad at Hunter.
I don't even know why. I'm like, 'why are you mad at him?'
We're not in debt."
Calipari has backed Yurachek before, and he did it again Wednesday while pointing to the areas that have changed under his watch. Arkansas basketball has become nationally relevant again, and the school’s spending in that sport reflects that. According to NILnomics, Arkansas spends more on men’s basketball than any other SEC program.
"Basketball reseating, baseball reseating, some of the other stuff - it's not popular," Calipari said. "People get mad. But that and a couple other things, we're going to be okay here in Arkansas."
That still does not soften the mood around football, where fans want results and want them now. For all of Calipari’s support, Yurachek remains a lightning rod as long as the Razorbacks keep stumbling on the field.
Calipari’s own program, meanwhile, is drawing huge expectations. Arkansas is being projected as a national contender this season after he landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.
Fans will get their first look at the 2026-27 team on Friday at Bud Walton Arena during Primetime at the Palace, a preseason event that includes a dunk contest, three-point contest, a scrimmage and a post-event autograph session with players. Free tickets are available.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Offense May Hinge On One Thing Fans Arent Watching Yet
Mark Pope sounds encouraged about where Kentuckys offense could be headed in 2026-27, and the reason is pretty easy to understand. The Wildcats should have a group with real shooting punch, led by Milan Momcilovic and other capable perimeter threats, which gives Pope a foundation to build around as he shapes the next version of the roster. From a talent standpoint, the spacing potential is there, and that alone should matter to anyone trying to project how this team will score.
Still, Popes focus goes beyond just making shots. He has also pointed to cutting as a major part of the offense, which suggests Kentucky wants to create easier looks and keep defenses moving even on nights when the ball may not be flying in from deep. The shot-making will draw the headlines, but the way the Wildcats combine that shooting with disciplined movement could end up telling the bigger story of how effective this offense really becomes. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Heads Into South Carolina With Receiver Uncertainty And Thin Depth
Kentuckys trip to South Carolina comes with a little more uncertainty than Mark Stoops would probably like this early in SEC play, especially at receiver. The conferences first availability report for Week 5 put Grant Grayton out, while DJ Miller and Cole Marszalek were listed doubtful and Jay Clark questionable, leaving the Wildcats to sort through a thin group as they prepare for a road test that could demand more from the passing game.
There was at least one small positive on the report, with Tavion Gadson not listed, a sign he may be available. South Carolina, meanwhile, is dealing with its own personnel questions, as Stewart is suspended and Brownlow-Dindy remains uncertain after sitting out the previous game, so both sides head into the matchup without a full picture of who will actually be on the field when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys South Carolina Prep Suddenly Has A Receiver Concern
Kentuckys first SEC availability report ahead of Saturdays trip to South Carolina brought the kind of news that always gets attention this time of week, with the Wildcats sorting through a few injury designations before hitting the road. The report also surfaced an out status in the secondary, adding another layer of uncertainty as the team continues its preparation for an important conference matchup.
The bigger concern on offense, though, is the receiver group, where the Wildcats now have to account for a potential absence that could affect how they plan the passing game. With a busy Kentucky sports weekend ahead and basketball-related events also on the calendar, the football staff will keep its focus on cleaning up the picture before kickoff and waiting for the next update on who will be available. [Read more 🡒]