Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
NEBRASKA CONSIDERS SPRING GAME CANCELATION
With the increased prevalence of tampering in college football, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has a unique plan to keep eyes off of his players: cancel the spring game.
"The word 'tampering' doesn't exist anymore," Rhule said. "It's just a free open common market. I don't necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, 'He looks like a pretty good player. Let's go get him.'"
While Rhule’s decision could potentially lead to fewer transfers from the program when the spring transfer window opens, it would lose the university a large sum of revenue typically generated from the game. Nebraska’s Spring Game in 2024 drew 60,452 fans to Memorial Stadiums, the fourth-highest total attendance from spring games last season.
But, Rhule’s primary focus remains on keeping his players in Lincoln by all means necessary.
"Guys are being compensated now, and you're putting money behind some people, a whole other set of parameters," Rhule said. "Yet, at the same time, you have to get good. Honestly, to me, it's about protecting the roster and protecting through that portal period."
CALIPARI RETURNS TO KENTUCKY
In 15 seasons as the head coach of Kentucky, John Calipari elevated the program into a perennial national title contender.
With an overall record of 410-123, four Final Four appearances, and the 2012 national championship, Calipari was considered Kentucky royalty up until just last year. But, times have changed.
After a steady decline across his last few seasons with the Wildcats, Calipari took the head coaching job at Arkansas during the offseason. On Saturday, the legendary head coach returned to Rupp Arena for the first time.
Facing a hostile environment from a fanbase that he once called his own, with boos and jeers hurdled his direction, Calipari ultimately handed his former team a stunning loss, as his Razorbacks took care of business in an 89-79 decision. Arkansas was led by a trio of former Wildcats, as Adou Thiero (21 points), D.J. Wagner (17 points) and Zvonimir Ivasic (14 points) pushed the Razorbacks to the win.
"I've got to be honest with you: I looked up a couple of times [at the scoreboard], and I thought we were losing because I kept looking at Kentucky instead of Arkansas," Calipari said. "I made it clear it was a privilege and an honor to coach here. We had 15 unbelievable years of a great run and support."
TEMPERS FLARE BETWEEN ARIZONA AND ARIZONA STATE
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the Hurley family.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley — brother of UConn coach Dan Hurley — had some words for rival Arizona after a testy finish in the Wildcats’ rivalry 81-72 win over the Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona.
Constant trash talk throughout Saturday’s contest came to a head late in the game. With less than a minute to play, Sun Devil guard BJ Freeman head-butted Arizona’s Caleb Love — resulting in both players being ejected after Love taunted the Arizona State bench in the aftermath.
BJ Freeman headbutts Caleb Love and BOTH are ejected pic.twitter.com/hlwjDdXHIA
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2025
As a result of the late-game altercation, Hurley decided to pull his team from the post-game handshake line. In his post-game press conference, Hurley criticized the Wildcats for boasting after the win.
"Right near our bench, it was relentless, constant chatter from a couple of Arizona's players that wasn't being policed properly," Hurley said. "Of course, they're going to be happy with winning, but it was done with no class, in my opinion."
Hurley also alluded to the fact that he would refuse to vote for Love for All-Big 12.
More Bobby Hurley, with a parting shot for Caleb Love:
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2025
"I get a vote for Big 12 All-Conference, and I can tell you who's not getting my vote"pic.twitter.com/AFC6R19tHr
The Wildcats and Sun Devils will meet again on March 4 in Tuscon, Arizona.
ICYMI
THE BUCKEYE 20: RANKING THE 20 BEST PLAYERS FROM OHIO STATE’S 2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
The Eleven Warriors staff compiled its final list of the 20 best players from Ohio State’s national championship team in 2024.
EIGHT POTENTIAL CANDIDATES TO REPLACE JUSTIN FRYE AS OHIO STATE’S OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope analyzes potential candidates to fill the void left by Justin Frye’s departure from Ohio State.
Eleven Warriors’ George Eisner reflects on Ohio State’s recent stretch of quarterbacks.
WHAT'S NEXT
- 209 Days: Ohio State football’s season-opener vs. Texas
- 300 Days: The Game
