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John Calipari Shifts Strategy Ahead of First Season at Arkansas
As John Calipari gears up for his inaugural season at Arkansas, he is rethinking his approach to roster construction. The renowned coach, best known for his tenure at Kentucky, has traditionally favored stocking his teams with an abundance of talent. However, in a recent podcast appearance with former Oregon State head coach Craig Robinson on the “Ways to Win” podcast, Calipari revealed a new philosophy influenced by the current landscape of college basketball.
Reflecting on the impact of the transfer portal era, Calipari expressed his intention to streamline his roster, opting to work with a smaller core group of players. “You may think I’m crazy, but I told my staff I only want to have eight or nine guys,” Calipari explained to Robinson, who now serves as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. “They’re leaving anyway, and why would I develop a kid for someone else? Why would I do that?”
Calipari’s unconventional approach has sparked discussions among fellow coaches who are considering similar strategies. While NCAA regulations permit teams to have up to 13 scholarship players, Calipari’s decision to operate with fewer scholarships signifies a potential shift within the college basketball landscape. With the prevalence of roster turnover across Division I programs, the notion of a leaner squad focused on quality over quantity may redefine conventional team-building practices.
Despite the reduced scholarship count, Calipari has wasted no time bolstering his Arkansas roster with seven new additions, notably securing commitments from highly touted prospects such as Boogie Fland and Johnell Davis. However, the remaining spots on the team will be reserved for walk-ons and graduate assistants who will play pivotal roles in enhancing the team’s preparation for the upcoming season.
Calipari emphasized the value of utilizing non-scholarship players and former players as practice assets, drawing parallels to the practices observed in women’s college basketball. “I want those [graduate assistants] to have played in Europe or just got done playing and can still play,” he stated. “We can use them in practice. The women’s programs have five guys that they call ‘managers,’ but that’s who they scrimmage against. Maybe I do it that way. We have some walk-ons, we have some [graduate assistants], we have eight or nine guys and that’s it. And if there is a 10th guy, he knows he’s the 10th guy.”
While acknowledging potential challenges that may arise from a smaller roster, such as dealing with injuries, Calipari remains steadfast in his belief that a reduced player count can still yield success. Drawing from his coaching experience, he recalled instances where he managed teams with limited rotations, citing his time at UMass where he coached a squad of only six players.
In charting this new course for his coaching career, Calipari’s strategic pivot signals a departure from convention, underscoring his adaptability and commitment to innovation as he embarks on a fresh chapter at Arkansas.
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