"They’re running the same stuff that John Calipari ran at Kentucky": Jay Bilas highlights Arkansas' system failure

Arkansas men's basketball has endured a rough season under John Calipari thus far, with the Razorbacks starting 11-6 overall and 0-4 in SEC play.

However, ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas does not believe that John Calipari's problem is a lack of talent. Rather, it is the head coach's penchant to make the same calls he used during his successful stint at Kentucky, which Bilas says is not working now.

“It’s not schematic. They’re running the same stuff that Cal ran at Kentucky. It’s not that much different,” Bilas said on ESPN College GameDay. “But it’s really about being more physical and it’s about finishing. They have not been a good finishing team of both individual plays and of games. And that’s gotta change.”

Bilas also believes it will be difficult for Calipari and Arkansas to turn things around entering the matchup against Missouri, known for playing a very physical game, on Saturday. The Razorbacks will continue to be on the road to face Kentucky, Texas, and ranked teams Alabama and Georgia over the next three weeks.

John Calipari disappointed in himself after Arkansas loss to LSU

The former Kentucky coach and national champion has found himself struggling to replicate his success with his current team, the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Razorbacks began their opening SEC games with a mark of 0-4, including a tough 78-74 loss on the road against LSU on Tuesday night.

After the game, Calipari revealed he was disappointed in himself for not being able to get through to his players, costing them the game.

“They deserved to win the game and I’m just disappointed in myself that I’m not getting through to get these guys where we have to get over the hump,” he said. “I may have to drag them to the finish line in some of these games, and if I have to coach that way, I will. I’m trying to create space and give them opportunities. (3:50)

“We had a turnover late that was just a tough pass to the post and stuff like that. But that’s all normal stuff. You want your kids to understand at the end, you gotta get fouled. You’re gonna have to make some shots. We had one guy making shots, Boogie. So we rode it with him. He almost got us back to where we could win the game.”

Boogie Fland led Arkansas with 19 points but it was not enough to get past LSU despite a second half comeback effort. For now, Calipari is not cracking, as the veteran coach is moving on to the next road game against Missouri where he hopes to inspire the Razorbacks' first conference win on Saturday.