Game 10: Michigan vs. Arkansas Preview

Michigan and Arkansas will clash in the Jimmy V Classic nightcap at Madison Square Garden tonight (9:00 p.m., ESPN). The matchup features two schools with new coaches and a few familiar faces. More importantly, it’s an opportunity for both programs to get their best non-conference win of the season up to this point.

The John Calipari era at Arkansas is off to an uncertain start. Since opening night, the Razorbacks have dropped 16 spots in KenPom (29th to 45th) and lost their two highest-profile games to Illinois and Baylor. They escaped with a road win at Miami last week (76-73) but haven’t won a game over a top-90 KenPom team this season.

Arkansas has the high-level talent you’d expect on a John Calipari roster, but it lacks depth and cohesion early in the year. Calipari’s platitude-laced press conferences have emphasized patience and that this roster is a work in progress, but they don’t necessarily instill confidence in immediate success.