Arkansas hires Kenny Payne as associate head coach under John Calipari

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Kenny Payne was hired Thursday as associate head coach at Arkansas under John Calipari. Payne was fired last month after going 12-52 in two seasons as the head coach at Louisville, his alma mater. Before that, he spent 10 years as an...

Mark Pope introduced as Kentucky's coach, affirms expectation that 'We are here to win banners'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — One of the last players to exit a bus full of Kentucky greats on the Rupp Arena floor, Mark Pope held the 1996 NCAA championship trophy aloft and basked in the cheers during his introduction as the Wildcats’ new men’s basketball coach. Pope then ratcheted...

Kentucky hires BYU's Mark Pope as men's basketball coach to replace John Calipari

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Initially off the radar among Kentucky's coaching targets, Mark Pope is now entrusted with maintaining the program's gold standard. Makes sense, since he helped do so as a player. Kentucky hired the BYU coach to guide its men’s basketball...

BYU coach Mark Pope in talks with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, reports say

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — BYU coach Mark Pope was negotiating with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, multiple outlets reported Thursday night. Pope, who played for Kentucky's 1996 national championship team and was co-captain for two seasons, was close to finalizing a deal, CBS Sports...

Scott Drew staying as Baylor's coach after being mentioned as John Calipari's successor at Kentucky

WACO, Texas (AP) — Scott Drew will remain as Baylor's men's basketball coach, stating his desire to "bring more championships" to the program on social media after being linked to the Kentucky coaching vacancy following John Calipari's departure to Arkansas. Drew mentioned his...

Arkansas hires John Calipari to coach the Razorbacks, a day after stepping down from Kentucky

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Fireworks went off as new Arkansas men's basketball coach John Calipari was introduced to fans at Bud Walton Arena. If his past success is an indicator, many more fireworks are forthcoming. Arkansas hired Calipari on Wednesday, a day after...

Purdue's Zach Edey joins Ralph Sampson as two-time winners of the John R. Wooden Award

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zach Edey of Purdue became the second two-time John R. Wooden Award winner as the nation’s top men’s college basketball player on Wednesday. The 7-foot-4 center joins Virginia’s Ralph Sampson, who won in 1982 and ’83. Edey led the nation...

Kentucky's basketball opening offers top pay and perks. Candidates must also have tough skin

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Life can be sweet for a Kentucky basketball coach who wins – especially in April – with a seven-figure salary and endorsements among the tangible rewards. The intangibles include selfie requests from blue-clad Wildcats fans and the occasional sightseers who drive slowly...

Arkansas hires John Calipari as men's basketball coach

John Calipari departs Kentucky after 15 years, saying the program 'needs to hear another voice'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — There were too many people for John Calipari to thank by name, and too many moments to single out from one of the most fulfilling chapters of his career. He used this moment to say goodbye. Calipari stepped down as Kentucky's men's basketball...