Arkansas enters a matchup against No. 12 Kentucky after losing three straight road games. Saturday's matchup is the first of the season between the teams.

The Razorbacks lost their freshman phenom Boogie Fland for the season, which is a massive blow as he was the team's best offensive weapon. Fland was committed to Kentucky before Coach Calipari made the move to Arkansas.

Former Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino took to social media on Thursday to appeal to Wildcats fans to give former head coach John Calipari a warm welcome in his return to Rupp Arena this weekend. “As you all know,

Rick Pitino is asking Kentucky fans to be respectful, Matt Laurance is expecting they will be, and John Calipari isn't sure what will hapopen. Coach Cal's return to Lexington as Arkansas coach should be something to watch this college basketball weekend.

Contrast that success with Calipari’s first Arkansas team, which needed six tries to notch its first SEC win of the year, and Kentucky fans figure to have plenty of ammunition Saturday. The Razorbacks are just 12-8 overall, and their 1-6 start to SEC play has them looking like a long shot for an NCAA Tournament berth.