FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas saw its season end in the Sweet 16 with a 109-88 loss to Arizona.
Arkansas (28-9) now must turn its attention to trying to retain players and add new ones from the transfer portal. John Calipari admitted after the game those discussions hadn't started at that time.
"Normally, when a season ends for me, I'm out of town and we could do stuff by Zoom," Calipari said. "You can't do that right now. Now, you've got to figure out your own team, what does it look like? Who wants to come back? Who's putting their name in the draft? How serious is that, if they put their name in the draft? You've got to go through all that. And I've done none of it right now.
"I just know that a bunch of guys gave me great hugs, and they appreciate what happened for them. I hope every one of them have a chance to do what they're trying to get done. I had a great group of guys. We just didn't quite have it. And they played out of their minds."
Calipari has added three recruits from high school all considered among the best in nation. The trio were all named Gatorade Player of the Year in their state. They are Little Rock Christian's JJ Andrews, 6-6. 220; West Haven (Conn.) Notre Dame's Abdou Toure, 6-5, 200; and Fairfax (Va.) Pope VI Catholic's Jordan Smith, 6-2, 200. Smith was named the National Player of Year in some services.
"Well, I made sure the guys we're bringing in are all five-star players, but they're physical," Calipari said. "They've got a beast to them, which you have to have if you're going to play against 25-year-olds. So those three do.
"And bringing some guys back, getting a couple other guys that want to be a part of this, seeing how we play and how kids improve, we'll see. We're all in the same boat right now. How about this? You have no recruits. You have no idea who's coming back. You don't have the money you had a year ago. You do not. Now all of a sudden you're trying to keep guys, figure out who else out there wants to come, and who wants to put, like, a bidding war, which we wouldn't be involved in. But that's all there, that we all have to deal with.
"Then guys going pro, okay, do you think they may come back or not? You're guessing. It's a little bit harder than it's been."
Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle are out of eligibility so they won't return. No one expects Darius Acuff Jr. to return and it appears, as of right now, Meleek Thomas will also enter the draft. Malique Ewin is a senior, but did play a year of junior college basketball so Calipari is trying to get him another season.
Billy Richmond III, Karter Knox, D.J. Wagner, Isaiah Sealy and Paulo Semedo all have eligibility remaining. If you are unaware of Semedo that is understandable. He was a highly-rated recruit, but redshirted to add some size and strength to his 7-foot-1, 225-pound body. He is nicknamed the "African Wemby" and from Luando, Angola.
The Razorbacks regardless of who returns need to land a talented big from the transfer portal. The transfer portal will open following the national championship game Monday.
