Buckley: Arkansas vs. Memphis is a nice exhibition. Will John Calipari help make it a game that counts?
University of Arkansas head coach John Calipari speaks with old friends and former players after a press conference at FedExForum Sept. 2, 2025. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Tim Buckley
Tim is a veteran sportswriter who graduated from CBHS in Memphis and the University of Missouri. He previously covered LSU sports in Baton Rouge, and the University of Louisiana football and basketball for The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Network in Lafayette, the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, and West Texas State basketball for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas.
File this one in the “can’t-hurt-to-ask” column.
So we did, after long-rumored plans for an Oct. 27 preseason basketball game between coach Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers and John Calipari’s preseason No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks became reality Tuesday with word that the matchup will highlight the second annual Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic at FedExForum.
Making official what was suspected begs some obvious questions:
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