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Arkansas basketball assistant Kenny Payne had options, but chose to reunite with John Calipari

FAYETTEVILLE — When John Calipari was introduced as the new Arkansas men’s basketball coach April 10, and many times since, he reminded fans he hadn’t been cheered so loudly by them since being ejected as Kentucky’s coach for drawing two technical fouls against the Razorbacks on Jan. 18, 2020.

Calipari has repeated the story numerous times the last few months when making appearances around the state, always adding that after his ejection, Kentucky came back to win the game 73-66.

What fans might have forgotten is who filled in for Calipari on the bench and led Kentucky to victory.