Give John Calipari credit; he has spoken openly about his return to Kentucky this week. With Arkansas on a midweek bye, Cal could have found ways to avoid the media ahead of Saturday’s trip to Lexington.

The hype surrounding Calipari’s return, capped by Lexington mayor Linda Gorton naming the days leading to the game ‘Basketball Week’ to highlight Saturday’s contest and other local games, is palpable in Kentucky — “What’s more Lexington than basketball?” Gorton said in a statement.

Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope talks about former UK coach John Calipari ahead of his return to Rupp Arena with the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday night.