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John Calipari didn't put his frustrations into specific words, but there were clear indications he wasn't happy with the officiating that led to detrimental foul trouble in Arkansas basketball's loss to Alabama.
The No. 17 Razorbacks (19-7, 9-4 SEC) fell to the Crimson Tide 117-115 in double overtime on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III, Nick Pringle and D.J. Wagner all fouled out during the extra 10 minutes after regulation.
"I don't want to talk about the fouls and all that, because I don't want to get in trouble," Calipari said. "Give Alabama credit. They fought till the very end, and give my team credit. They fought."
The Hogs have made a living off shooting more free throws than their opponents this season, but Alabama went 27 for 34 from the charity stripe, while Arkansas only had 19 attempts.
But the bigger impact came within the Razorbacks' rotation. Karter Knox and Isaiah Sealy were unavailable due to injuries, forcing Arkansas to play a seven-man rotation throughout regulation, but Calipari had no choice but to dive deep into his bench during overtime.
Thomas and Pringle fouled out during the first overtime. Wagner exited the game in the second overtime, forcing Calipari to insert Jaden Karuletwa. When Richmond was disqualified minutes later, Arkansas went with Elmir Dzafic.
Before Wednesday, Karuletwa and Dzafic combined for 35 minutes all season.
"It wasn't fair for them," Calipari said. "There are times they are not playing in practice. To get in the game, and I told Jaden, 'if you're open, shoot.'"
Neither player attempted a field goal and they were both minus-3 in four combined minutes.
Even before the injuries to Knox and Sealy, Arkansas had a short rotation, but this was the first time all season it made a difference in the final result.
"Fouling guys out, you know, that's going to hurt this team," Calipari said. "And you know that. Everybody watching the game, doing the game, you call a lot of fouls in a rough, rough game, we're going to be down to two and the rent is due."
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: John Calipari bemoans Arkansas basketball foul trouble in Alabama loss
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The No. 17 Razorbacks (19-7, 9-4 SEC) fell to the Crimson Tide 117-115 in double overtime on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III, Nick Pringle and D.J. Wagner all fouled out during the extra 10 minutes after regulation.
"I don't want to talk about the fouls and all that, because I don't want to get in trouble," Calipari said. "Give Alabama credit. They fought till the very end, and give my team credit. They fought."
The Hogs have made a living off shooting more free throws than their opponents this season, but Alabama went 27 for 34 from the charity stripe, while Arkansas only had 19 attempts.
But the bigger impact came within the Razorbacks' rotation. Karter Knox and Isaiah Sealy were unavailable due to injuries, forcing Arkansas to play a seven-man rotation throughout regulation, but Calipari had no choice but to dive deep into his bench during overtime.
Thomas and Pringle fouled out during the first overtime. Wagner exited the game in the second overtime, forcing Calipari to insert Jaden Karuletwa. When Richmond was disqualified minutes later, Arkansas went with Elmir Dzafic.
Before Wednesday, Karuletwa and Dzafic combined for 35 minutes all season.
"It wasn't fair for them," Calipari said. "There are times they are not playing in practice. To get in the game, and I told Jaden, 'if you're open, shoot.'"
Neither player attempted a field goal and they were both minus-3 in four combined minutes.
Even before the injuries to Knox and Sealy, Arkansas had a short rotation, but this was the first time all season it made a difference in the final result.
"Fouling guys out, you know, that's going to hurt this team," Calipari said. "And you know that. Everybody watching the game, doing the game, you call a lot of fouls in a rough, rough game, we're going to be down to two and the rent is due."
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: John Calipari bemoans Arkansas basketball foul trouble in Alabama loss
Continue reading...
