@Adam Gorney in his rumor mill talking about Oatis’ trip to LSU over the weekend…


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The four-star defensive tackle from Hattiesburg, Miss., committed to Arkansas in August but Oatis was at LSU over the weekend and now he has something to really consider.

The message from the Tigers’ coaching staff was that if Oatis feels he’s great to come to Baton Rouge to become even greater. That message plus watching LSU’s defense in its win over Ole Miss has Oatis taking another look at the Tigers.

Looking like a really good year for the state as a whole in basketball.

Little Rock was picked to finish first in the OVC
Arkansas State picked to finish first in the Sun Belt
Arkansas picked to finish fourth in the SEC
UAPB picked to finish 10th in the SWAC
UCA picked to finish 10th in the ASUN (12th last year)

Also, Arkansas Tech and Harding picked to finish first and fifth in the GAC. Monticello was 10th.

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When John Calipari left the Kentucky Wildcats to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks over the offseason, it sent a shockwave through the college basketball landscape.

After 15 years, Calipari was leaving Lexington for a new adventure with a rival he had a long history with. Understandably, many fans of Big Blue Nation were upset, but Kentucky found its man in former BYU head coach and Kentucky alum Mark Pope.

While the fanbases can be rabid toward one another, neither coach appears to feel the same way. Calipari took the stage Tuesday for SEC Media Day in Birmingham, Alabama, and said he thinks Kentucky made the right hire with Pope.

"I think they hired a perfect guy for that job, and part of it is he played there, graduated there, has a heart for the place and has an idea what that is," Calipari said. "When I walked in, I had coach (Joe) Hall. I had coach (Tubby) Smith, too ... It's a different place if you're just walking in. He's been there and understands it.

"But I'll be rooting for him. I want Kentucky — come on, man, 15 years. I gave my heart and soul. I want them to do well, except (Feb. 1)."

Pope was also asked about his thoughts on Calipari, and Pope had nothing but good things to say about his predecessor and what Calipari has built throughout his career.

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"You'll never hear me say a negative word about coach Cal because there's not a lot to say," Pope said. "He's a Hall of Fame coach. As a die-hard Kentucky fan and alumnus and former player, I am grateful for everything, all the incredible things that Cal accomplished at the University of Kentucky.

"And he's also been a good friend. He's been a terrific mentor, and he's always been generous to Lee Anne and I as we've gone through our coaching journey. So we wish him the best in everything that he does, and I will forever be grateful for everything that he did at Kentucky. And we'll be cheering for him every day like crazy except for Feb. 1."

RELATED: What John Calipari said at SEC Media Day

On the aforementioned Feb. 1 date, however, things will be different. Calipari will lead his now-No. 16-ranked Razorbacks into Rupp Arena for the first time since his departure from the Wildcats. Rupp Arena can be a rowdy place to play for any opponent, but you can bet the intensity will be turned up a notch for that matchup.

The official start of the season is Wednesday, Nov. 6, when Lipscomb comes to town for a 7 p.m. CT tip at Bud Walton Arena. That will mark the first game of the Calipari era at Arkansas.