John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena is still about a month away, but another raucous environment awaits a different homecoming in Arkansas’ SEC opener.
Big man Jonas Aidoo and the No. 23 Razorbacks are set to open their brutal conference slate with a road trip to Knoxville, Tenn., where they’ll face No. 1 Tennessee at noon CT Saturday.
The 21,678-seat Thompson-Boling Arena will surely greet the Volunteers’ former All-SEC forward accordingly as Rick Barnes’ squad puts its nation-leading 13-game winning streak on the line in the top-25 showdown.
Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, Arkansas assistant Kenny Payne said it was only “natural” for Aidoo to have a little extra motivation ahead of his return to Tennessee, where he spent the first three years of his career.