In a collapse that has become all too familiar under John Calipari, the Arkansas Razorbacks squandered a double-digit lead late in the second half, falling 85-83 in overtime to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16. What should have been a comfortable victory turned into yet another postseason disaster, as Arkansas fell apart under pressure—just like so many of Calipari’s teams before them.
Arkansas controlled most of the game, leading by as many as 13 points with under five minutes left. But as crunch time approached, the Razorbacks looked lost. Their offense went completely stagnant, allowing Texas Tech to storm back into the game. The Red Raiders capitalized on Arkansas’s defensive lapses, and Darrion Williams delivered the dagger, hitting a clutch three-pointer to send the game into overtime before sealing the win with the game-winning basket.
Of course, Calipari’s decision-making—or lack thereof—only made things worse. In the final moments of regulation, instead of calling a timeout to settle his team, he let them play it out. The result? A wild, contested jumper by DJ Wagner that had no chance of going in. After the game, Calipari admitted, “I wish I had called a timeout,” but quickly backtracked, defending his approach of letting players figure it out on their own. That might work if his teams actually had composure in big moments, but history shows they don’t.
This loss is just another chapter in Calipari’s growing book of March disappointments. Despite having a roster packed with talent, his team once again fell apart under the spotlight. The trend is undeniable—his teams may dominate in the regular season, but when the pressure mounts in March, they wilt.
For Arkansas fans, this should be a wake-up call. How much longer will they tolerate underachievement in big games? The program has too much history and too passionate of a fanbase to keep settling for excuses. If Arkansas ever wants to return to true national relevance, they need a coach who can actually finish the job. Because as long as Calipari is calling the shots, heartbreaking collapses like this will continue to be the norm.
