Indiana won’t be facing John Calipari when their series with Kentucky resumes in 2025.
Multiple reports have Calipari leaving Lexington to take the opening at Arkansas.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Arkansas is signing Calipari to a five-year deal to be the Razorbacks’ next head coach.
Calipari is coming off a disappointing postseason. Kentucky fell in its opening matchup against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. The Wildcats then lost to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky has only won one game in the Big Dance in the past five seasons.
The news could end up having Big Ten implications, as Illinois’ Brad Underwood has been mentioned as a potential replacement at Kentucky.
Kentucky has a commitment from class of 2024 5-star point guard Boogie Fland, who chose UK over Indiana. The Hoosiers also recruited 2024 Wildcat commits Travis Perry and Somto Cyril.
Indiana and Kentucky signed a four-year deal to play games from 2025 through 2028. They have not played during the regular season since 2011, when IU fans stormed the court after an upset win over Calipari’s No. 1 ranked Wildcats.
