John Calipari back in familiar spot as Arkansas looks for more in Sweet 16

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John Calipari back in familiar spot as Arkansas looks for more in Sweet 16 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

John Calipari has been here before. This time of year, this stage, this pressure. It always seems to find him. Now, Arkansas is back in the Sweet 16, and once again, Calipari has a team with a chance to do something real. Thursday night against Arizona is not just another game. It is the next step.

Back where he belongs​

This is what Calipari does. He gets teams to the second weekend. He did it at UMass. He did it at Memphis. He built a powerhouse at Kentucky doing it. Now he has Arkansas in the same spot. It does not always look perfect during the season. It rarely does. But when March hits, his teams tend to figure it out. That has not changed.

Trusting talent like always​

Calipari has always believed in talent. Not just having it, but trusting it. That is showing up again with Arkansas. Freshman guard Darius Acuff has taken over as the guy. The ball is in his hands, and Calipari is letting him go make plays. That approach has been questioned over the years, especially with older teams having success in March. But Calipari has never fully moved away from it. He still believes great players win big games.

More: Brad Underwood still chasing first Final Four at Illinois

Now comes the hard part​

Getting to the Sweet 16 is one thing. Winning here is different. Arizona is a real test. This is where games get tighter, possessions matter more, and experience shows up. Calipari knows that. He has been on both sides of it. For Arkansas, this is the chance to prove it is more than just a good story. A win puts them in the Elite Eight and pushes this season into something bigger.

Still chasing more​

Calipari has done almost everything in the sport. National title. Final Fours. Hundreds of wins. But this time of year always brings something new. That is why this still matters. He is back where he is most comfortable. Now it comes down to what his team does next. We will find that out Thursday night as they take on Tommy Lloyd's Wildcats.

More College Basketball news:​

• Brad Underwood still chasing first Final Four at Illinois
• March Madness always comes back to one thing: the coach on the sideline
• Matt Painter has Purdue back in the Sweet 16 — and he knows this moment isn’t guaranteed
• Queens reaches NCAA Tournament for first time in school history after ASUN title win

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