Out of the blue

Time for Hogs fans to re-Cal-ibrate

How do you switch from hating a guy to loving him in just a matter of hours? That’s the dilemma Arkansas Razorback fans have wrestled with since Sunday night, when word spread that a freakish alignment of planets, stars and basketballs had produced a shocking development in the sports world: John Calipari is coming to Arkansas, the reports said.

For fans, it first triggered skepticism. Why would the coach of the Wildcats leap from the University of Kentucky, seen by many as the peak of college basketball programs, and land on his feet in Fayetteville? But as more and more news outlets, reporters and commentators cited “sources” confirming Calipari was indeed in talks to replace the departed Eric Musselman, the more it sank in that something was really going on.

And on Wednesday, any lingering doubt vanished: The University of Arkansas officially introduced its 14th men’s head basketball coach at Bud Walton Arena, where the Razorback faithful have jeered him and cheered against him for more than just his 15 years at Kentucky. Indeed, the Razorbacks have played against Calipari-coached teams 25 times, including the University of Massachusetts, University of Memphis and SEC powerhouse Kentucky.

Of course, when we talk about hate, it’s sportshate, to coin a term. It’s different — or should be — from real hate. It’s not like we’re talking about Israel and Hamas here. This is, rather, about athletic competition, which produces intense emotions but within generally accepted boundaries. It’s not that we wish an opponent harm; we just want them to lose, particularly in any contest against the home club.

If there can be such an emotion, we’d call it good-natured hate, the kind ginned up in the feverish fandom of collegiate and other sports. It’s often a mix of anger, jealousy, envy and a deep desire to win. And in the case of someone so dadgummed good as John Calipari, you’ve got to throw in begrudging respect.

With the hiring of Calipari, Hunter Yurachek and Co. at the UA have challenged the Hogs fan base to demonstrate some serious emotional elasticity, the kind that can produce psychological whiplash. When literally hours ago he was the leader of the Big Blue Nation, it’s understandable impassioned fans might need a breather before making a 180-degree turn to start calling him coach of the Razorbacks.

We’ve got a sneaking suspicion Arkansas fans will make the transition quickly and thoroughly. Once they see Calipari wearing cardinal and white instead of Kentucky blue, and once they see he’s putting his talents to work for the benefit of the Razorbacks, the fieriest of Hog fans will make the emotional switch. Calipari’s past success, so frustrating when he was an opponent, now works in favor of the home team.

Consider this, too: With Musselman’s departure and fleeing players, Arkansas basically doesn’t have a team to put on the court. The bench has been cleared of scholarship players. Who other than someone of Calipari’s stature could restock the team with players capable of having an immediate impact?

Calipari, who is 65, and the UA have a five-year deal, potentially extending longer if his teams extend their seasons into March Madness. Our hope is that this Hall of Fame coach might just bring in an assistant who, when the time is right, could follow in his footsteps. Wouldn’t that be a nice change?

Calipari got a hearty welcome at his introduction Wednesday, but it’s not a stretch to suggest some doubters might remain. From a spectator point of view, sports is a driver of opinions and people love to have them. Winning, we’re told, can cure all ills. And perhaps some fans won’t buy in fully until they see Calipari succeeding under the Razorback banner. Maybe that’s what it will take before they can erase their past emotional investment in cheering against him. Emotions rooted in sports fanaticism don’t turn on a dime, and Calipari will still have to earn support through his leadership of Arkansas’ team.

We suspect Calipari would have it no other way.