FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While Arkansas Razorback fans are languishing these days, Kentucky fans are loving to pile on. All you have to do is look at social media.

John Calipari will make his first visit to Rupp Arena on Saturday since leaving Kentucky for Arkansas. His longtime coaching rival wants Big Blue Nation to treat Calipari with respect.

The Razorbacks lost their freshman phenom Boogie Fland for the season, which is a massive blow as he was the team's best offensive weapon. Fland was committed to Kentucky before Coach Calipari made the move to Arkansas.

Both the Arkansas and Kentucky programs have three signees in the 2025 class, and both will bring in five-star talent later this year. The Hogs and Wildcats also both have at least one McDonald’s All-American as part of their respective 2025 recruiting groups.

How Mark Pope’s Wildcats and John Calipari’s Razorbacks match up at each position for Saturday’s SEC men’s basketball showdown.

Looking for Kentucky vs Arkansas odds? What to know before betting on Kentucky basketball vs. John Calipari's Arkansas team, prop bets and much more.

FAYETTEVILLE — St. John's basketball coach Rick Pitino, who led Kentucky to a national championship at Kentucky in 1996, posted a video to social media Thursday morning with a plea to Big Blue Nation. Pitino asked Kentucky fans to give Arkansas coach John Calipari a standing ovation Saturday when he returns to the place he coached for 15 years.

Rick Pitino knows a thing or two about leaving Kentucky -- and returning. And now with John Calipari set to return to Rupp Arena with Arkansas on Saturday night (9 p.m., ESPN), the St. John’s coach has some advice on how Big Blue Nation should treat their former coach.

Coach Rick Pitino, who used to coach Kentucky's current coach Mark Pope, put out a video message on his social media Thursday. He said while he's never been the best of friends with Cal, he respects him and so should Kentucky fans.

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Granted, Kentucky was a longtime blue blood in the world of basketball and Arkansas’ climb to success had come during Sutton’s 11 years as the head coach. He laid a foundation that Nolan Richardson used to add a trophy room that included the 1994 national championship.