John Calipari — Record in Close Games (Margin ≤ 5)
75–63
54.3%
win rate
+0.4
avg margin
138
games
Games (138)
| # | Date | Season | School | Opponent | Opp. Conf. | Loc | W/L | Score | Type | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-11-16 | 2009–10 | #4 Kentucky | Miami (OH) | MAC | Home | W | 72–70 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 2 | 2009-12-05 | 2009–10 | #5 Kentucky | #10 North Carolina | ACC | Home | W | 68–66 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 3 | 2009-12-09 | 2009–10 | #4 Kentucky | #14 Connecticut | Big East | Neutral | W | 64–61 | Regular | Madison Square Garden |
| 4 | 2010-01-16 | 2009–10 | #2 Kentucky | Auburn | SEC | Away | W | 72–67 | Regular | Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum |
| 5 | 2010-02-20 | 2009–10 | #2 Kentucky | #17 Vanderbilt | SEC | Away | W | 58–56 | Regular | Memorial Gymnasium |
| 6 | 2010-03-14 | 2009–10 | #2 Kentucky | Mississippi State | SEC | Neutral | W | 75–74 OT | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 7 | 2010-12-04 | 2010–11 | #10 Kentucky | North Carolina | ACC | Away | L | 73–75 | Regular | Dean Smith Center |
| 8 | 2011-01-18 | 2010–11 | #12 Kentucky | Alabama | SEC | Away | L | 66–68 | Regular | Coleman Coliseum |
| 9 | 2011-02-01 | 2010–11 | #10 Kentucky | Mississippi | SEC | Away | L | 69–71 | Regular | Tad Smith Coliseum |
| 10 | 2011-02-05 | 2010–11 | #10 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Away | L | 68–70 | Regular | Stephen C. O'Connell Center |
| 11 | 2011-02-12 | 2010–11 | #18 Kentucky | #23 Vanderbilt | SEC | Away | L | 77–81 | Regular | Memorial Gymnasium |
| 12 | 2011-02-23 | 2010–11 | #22 Kentucky | Arkansas | SEC | Away | L | 76–77 OT | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 13 | 2011-03-01 | 2010–11 | #20 Kentucky | #21 Vanderbilt | SEC | Home | W | 68–66 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 14 | 2011-03-17 | 2010–11 | #11 Kentucky | Princeton | Ivy | Neutral | W | 59–57 | NCAA | Benchmark International Arena |
| 15 | 2011-03-25 | 2010–11 | #11 Kentucky | #1 Ohio State | B10 | Neutral | W | 62–60 | NCAA | Prudential Center |
| 16 | 2011-04-02 | 2010–11 | #11 Kentucky | #9 Connecticut | Big East | Neutral | L | 55–56 | NCAA | NRG Stadium |
| 17 | 2011-12-03 | 2011–12 | #1 Kentucky | #5 North Carolina | ACC | Home | W | 73–72 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 18 | 2011-12-10 | 2011–12 | #1 Kentucky | Indiana | B10 | Away | L | 72–73 | Regular | Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall |
| 19 | 2012-01-14 | 2011–12 | #2 Kentucky | Tennessee | SEC | Away | W | 65–62 | Regular | Thompson-Boling Arena |
| 20 | 2012-03-10 | 2011–12 | #1 Kentucky | #22 Florida | SEC | Neutral | W | 74–71 | Conf. Tourn. | Smoothie King Center |
| 21 | 2012-11-09 | 2012–13 | #3 Kentucky | Maryland | ACC | Neutral | W | 72–69 | Regular | Barclays Center |
| 22 | 2012-12-29 | 2012–13 | #8 Kentucky | #4 Louisville | Big East | Away | L | 77–80 | Regular | KFC Yum! Center |
| 23 | 2013-01-10 | 2012–13 | #8 Kentucky | Vanderbilt | SEC | Away | W | 60–58 | Regular | Memorial Gymnasium |
| 24 | 2013-01-22 | 2012–13 | #8 Kentucky | Alabama | SEC | Away | L | 55–59 | Regular | Coleman Coliseum |
| 25 | 2013-01-26 | 2012–13 | #8 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Home | W | 75–70 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 26 | 2013-02-02 | 2012–13 | #8 Kentucky | Texas A&M | SEC | Away | W | 72–68 OT | Regular | Reed Arena |
| 27 | 2013-02-20 | 2012–13 | #25 Kentucky | Vanderbilt | SEC | Home | W | 74–70 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 28 | 2013-03-09 | 2012–13 | #25 Kentucky | #11 Florida | SEC | Home | W | 61–57 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 29 | 2013-03-19 | 2012–13 | #25 Kentucky | Robert Morris | NEC | Away | L | 57–59 | NIT | Charles L. Sewall Center |
| 30 | 2013-11-12 | 2013–14 | #1 Kentucky | #2 Michigan State | B10 | Neutral | L | 74–78 | Regular | United Center |
| 31 | 2013-12-06 | 2013–14 | #3 Kentucky | #20 Baylor | B12 | Neutral | L | 62–67 | Regular | AT&T Stadium |
| 32 | 2013-12-14 | 2013–14 | #11 Kentucky | #18 North Carolina | ACC | Away | L | 77–82 | Regular | Dean Smith Center |
| 33 | 2014-01-14 | 2013–14 | #13 Kentucky | Arkansas | SEC | Away | L | 85–87 OT | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 34 | 2014-01-28 | 2013–14 | #11 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Away | L | 82–87 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 35 | 2014-02-01 | 2013–14 | #11 Kentucky | Missouri | SEC | Away | W | 84–79 | Regular | Mizzou Arena |
| 36 | 2014-02-22 | 2013–14 | #18 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Home | W | 77–76 OT | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 37 | 2014-02-27 | 2013–14 | #17 Kentucky | Arkansas | SEC | Home | L | 67–71 OT | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 38 | 2014-03-01 | 2013–14 | #17 Kentucky | South Carolina | SEC | Away | L | 67–72 | Regular | Colonial Life Arena |
| 39 | 2014-03-16 | 2013–14 | #25 Kentucky | #1 Florida | SEC | Neutral | L | 60–61 | Conf. Tourn. | Georgia Dome |
| 40 | 2014-03-23 | 2013–14 | #25 Kentucky | #2 Wichita State | Missouri Valley | Neutral | W | 78–76 | NCAA | Enterprise Center |
| 41 | 2014-03-28 | 2013–14 | #25 Kentucky | #5 Louisville | AAC | Neutral | W | 74–69 | NCAA | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| 42 | 2014-03-30 | 2013–14 | #25 Kentucky | #7 Michigan | B10 | Neutral | W | 75–72 | NCAA | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| 43 | 2014-04-05 | 2013–14 | #25 Kentucky | #12 Wisconsin | B10 | Neutral | W | 74–73 | NCAA | AT&T Stadium |
| 44 | 2015-01-06 | 2014–15 | #1 Kentucky | Mississippi | SEC | Home | W | 89–86 OT | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 45 | 2015-02-10 | 2014–15 | #1 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Away | W | 71–69 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 46 | 2015-03-28 | 2014–15 | #1 Kentucky | #8 Notre Dame | ACC | Neutral | W | 68–66 | NCAA | Rocket Arena |
| 47 | 2015-12-26 | 2015–16 | #12 Kentucky | #16 Louisville | ACC | Home | W | 75–73 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 48 | 2016-01-16 | 2015–16 | #14 Kentucky | Auburn | SEC | Away | L | 70–75 | Regular | Neville Arena |
| 49 | 2016-02-20 | 2015–16 | #14 Kentucky | Texas A&M | SEC | Away | L | 77–79 OT | Regular | Reed Arena |
| 50 | 2016-03-13 | 2015–16 | #16 Kentucky | #17 Texas A&M | SEC | Neutral | W | 82–77 OT | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 51 | 2016-12-03 | 2016–17 | #1 Kentucky | #11 UCLA | Pacific 12 | Home | L | 92–97 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 52 | 2016-12-17 | 2016–17 | #6 Kentucky | #7 North Carolina | ACC | Neutral | W | 103–100 | Regular | T-Mobile Arena |
| 53 | 2016-12-21 | 2016–17 | #6 Kentucky | #10 Louisville | ACC | Away | L | 70–73 | Regular | KFC Yum! Center |
| 54 | 2017-01-24 | 2016–17 | #4 Kentucky | Tennessee | SEC | Away | L | 80–82 | Regular | Thompson-Boling Arena |
| 55 | 2017-02-18 | 2016–17 | #13 Kentucky | Georgia | SEC | Away | W | 82–77 | Regular | Stegeman Coliseum |
| 56 | 2017-03-11 | 2016–17 | #8 Kentucky | Alabama | SEC | Neutral | W | 79–74 | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 57 | 2017-03-19 | 2016–17 | #5 Kentucky | #19 Wichita State | Missouri Valley | Neutral | W | 65–62 | NCAA | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| 58 | 2017-03-26 | 2016–17 | #5 Kentucky | #6 North Carolina | ACC | Neutral | L | 73–75 | NCAA | FedExForum |
| 59 | 2017-11-12 | 2017–18 | #5 Kentucky | Vermont | Am. East | Home | W | 73–69 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 60 | 2017-11-14 | 2017–18 | #7 Kentucky | #4 Kansas | B12 | Neutral | L | 61–65 | Regular | United Center |
| 61 | 2017-12-31 | 2017–18 | #16 Kentucky | Georgia | SEC | Home | W | 66–61 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 62 | 2018-01-03 | 2017–18 | #17 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Away | W | 74–71 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 63 | 2018-01-09 | 2017–18 | #21 Kentucky | Texas A&M | SEC | Home | W | 74–73 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 64 | 2018-01-20 | 2017–18 | #18 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Home | L | 64–66 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 65 | 2018-01-30 | 2017–18 | #21 Kentucky | Vanderbilt | SEC | Home | W | 83–81 OT | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 66 | 2018-02-06 | 2017–18 | #24 Kentucky | #15 Tennessee | SEC | Home | L | 59–61 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 67 | 2018-03-11 | 2017–18 | #23 Kentucky | #13 Tennessee | SEC | Neutral | W | 77–72 | Conf. Tourn. | Enterprise Center |
| 68 | 2018-03-15 | 2017–18 | #18 Kentucky | Davidson | A10 | Neutral | W | 78–73 | NCAA | ExtraMile Arena |
| 69 | 2018-03-22 | 2017–18 | #18 Kentucky | Kansas State | B12 | Neutral | L | 58–61 | NCAA | State Farm Arena |
| 70 | 2018-12-08 | 2018–19 | #9 Kentucky | Seton Hall | Big East | Neutral | L | 83–84 OT | Regular | Madison Square Garden |
| 71 | 2019-01-05 | 2018–19 | #13 Kentucky | Alabama | SEC | Away | L | 75–77 | Regular | Coleman Coliseum |
| 72 | 2019-01-19 | 2018–19 | #12 Kentucky | #14 Auburn | SEC | Away | W | 82–80 | Regular | Neville Arena |
| 73 | 2019-02-09 | 2018–19 | #5 Kentucky | Mississippi State | SEC | Away | W | 71–67 | Regular | Humphrey Coliseum |
| 74 | 2019-02-12 | 2018–19 | #5 Kentucky | #19 Louisiana State | SEC | Home | L | 71–73 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 75 | 2019-02-26 | 2018–19 | #4 Kentucky | Arkansas | SEC | Home | W | 70–66 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 76 | 2019-03-05 | 2018–19 | #6 Kentucky | Mississippi | SEC | Away | W | 80–76 | Regular | The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss |
| 77 | 2019-03-16 | 2018–19 | #4 Kentucky | #8 Tennessee | SEC | Neutral | L | 78–82 | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 78 | 2019-03-29 | 2018–19 | #7 Kentucky | #11 Houston | AAC | Neutral | W | 62–58 | NCAA | T-Mobile Center |
| 79 | 2019-11-12 | 2019–20 | #1 Kentucky | Evansville | Missouri Valley | Home | L | 64–67 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 80 | 2019-12-18 | 2019–20 | #6 Kentucky | Utah | Pacific 12 | Neutral | L | 66–69 | Regular | T-Mobile Arena |
| 81 | 2020-01-15 | 2019–20 | #10 Kentucky | South Carolina | SEC | Away | L | 78–81 | Regular | Colonial Life Arena |
| 82 | 2020-01-25 | 2019–20 | #15 Kentucky | #18 Texas Tech | B12 | Away | W | 76–74 OT | Regular | United Supermarkets Arena |
| 83 | 2020-02-15 | 2019–20 | #12 Kentucky | Mississippi | SEC | Home | W | 67–62 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 84 | 2020-02-18 | 2019–20 | #10 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Away | W | 79–76 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 85 | 2020-03-07 | 2019–20 | #6 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Away | W | 71–70 | Regular | Stephen C. O'Connell Center |
| 86 | 2020-12-01 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | #7 Kansas | B12 | Neutral | L | 62–65 | Regular | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| 87 | 2020-12-12 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Notre Dame | ACC | Home | L | 63–64 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 88 | 2020-12-26 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Louisville | ACC | Away | L | 59–62 | Regular | KFC Yum! Center |
| 89 | 2021-01-02 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Mississippi State | SEC | Away | W | 78–73 2OT | Regular | Humphrey Coliseum |
| 90 | 2021-01-05 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Vanderbilt | SEC | Home | W | 77–74 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 91 | 2021-01-20 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Georgia | SEC | Away | L | 62–63 | Regular | Stegeman Coliseum |
| 92 | 2021-02-03 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | #18 Missouri | SEC | Away | L | 70–75 | Regular | Mizzou Arena |
| 93 | 2021-02-09 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Arkansas | SEC | Home | L | 80–81 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 94 | 2021-02-13 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Auburn | SEC | Home | W | 82–80 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 95 | 2021-02-17 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Vanderbilt | SEC | Away | W | 82–78 | Regular | Memorial Gymnasium |
| 96 | 2021-02-27 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Home | L | 67–71 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 97 | 2021-03-11 | 2020–21 | #20 Kentucky | Mississippi State | SEC | Neutral | L | 73–74 | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 98 | 2021-12-11 | 2021–22 | #10 Kentucky | Notre Dame | ACC | Away | L | 62–66 | Regular | Purcell Pavilion |
| 99 | 2022-01-04 | 2021–22 | #16 Kentucky | #21 Louisiana State | SEC | Away | L | 60–65 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 100 | 2022-02-23 | 2021–22 | #6 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Home | W | 71–66 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 101 | 2022-02-26 | 2021–22 | #6 Kentucky | #18 Arkansas | SEC | Away | L | 73–75 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 102 | 2022-12-04 | 2022–23 | #19 Kentucky | Michigan | B10 | Neutral | W | 73–69 | Regular | The O2 Arena |
| 103 | 2023-01-03 | 2022–23 | #19 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Home | W | 74–71 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 104 | 2023-01-10 | 2022–23 | #19 Kentucky | South Carolina | SEC | Home | L | 68–71 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 105 | 2023-02-04 | 2022–23 | #19 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Home | W | 72–67 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 106 | 2023-02-15 | 2022–23 | #19 Kentucky | Mississippi State | SEC | Away | W | 71–68 | Regular | Humphrey Coliseum |
| 107 | 2023-03-01 | 2022–23 | #23 Kentucky | Vanderbilt | SEC | Home | L | 66–68 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 108 | 2023-11-14 | 2023–24 | #17 Kentucky | #1 Kansas | B12 | Neutral | L | 84–89 | Regular | United Center |
| 109 | 2023-12-16 | 2023–24 | #14 Kentucky | #9 North Carolina | ACC | Neutral | W | 87–83 | Regular | State Farm Arena |
| 110 | 2024-01-06 | 2023–24 | #6 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Away | W | 87–85 | Regular | Stephen C. O'Connell Center |
| 111 | 2024-01-13 | 2023–24 | #6 Kentucky | Texas A&M | SEC | Away | L | 92–97 OT | Regular | Reed Arena |
| 112 | 2024-01-31 | 2023–24 | #10 Kentucky | Florida | SEC | Home | L | 91–94 OT | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 113 | 2024-02-10 | 2023–24 | #17 Kentucky | Gonzaga | WCC | Home | L | 85–89 | Regular | Rupp Arena |
| 114 | 2024-02-21 | 2023–24 | #17 Kentucky | Louisiana State | SEC | Away | L | 74–75 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 115 | 2024-02-27 | 2023–24 | #16 Kentucky | Mississippi State | SEC | Away | W | 91–89 | Regular | Humphrey Coliseum |
| 116 | 2024-03-09 | 2023–24 | #15 Kentucky | #4 Tennessee | SEC | Away | W | 85–81 | Regular | Thompson-Boling Arena |
| 117 | 2024-03-21 | 2023–24 | #12 Kentucky | Oakland | Horizon | Neutral | L | 76–80 | NCAA | PPG Paints Arena |
| 118 | 2024-11-09 | 2024–25 | #16 Arkansas | #8 Baylor | B12 | Neutral | L | 67–72 | Regular | American Airlines Center |
| 119 | 2024-12-03 | 2024–25 | #19 Arkansas | Miami (FL) | ACC | Away | W | 76–73 | Regular | Watsco Center |
| 120 | 2024-12-10 | 2024–25 | #19 Arkansas | #14 Michigan | B10 | Neutral | W | 89–87 | Regular | Madison Square Garden |
| 121 | 2025-01-14 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | Louisiana State | SEC | Away | L | 74–78 | Regular | Maravich Assembly Center |
| 122 | 2025-01-22 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | Georgia | SEC | Home | W | 68–65 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 123 | 2025-01-25 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | Oklahoma | SEC | Home | L | 62–65 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 124 | 2025-02-08 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | #3 Alabama | SEC | Home | L | 81–85 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 125 | 2025-02-26 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | Texas | SEC | Home | W | 86–81 OT | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 126 | 2025-03-08 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | #25 Mississippi State | SEC | Home | W | 93–92 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 127 | 2025-03-12 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | South Carolina | SEC | Neutral | W | 72–68 | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 128 | 2025-03-13 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | Mississippi | SEC | Neutral | L | 80–83 | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 129 | 2025-03-27 | 2024–25 | #23 Arkansas | #9 Texas Tech | B12 | Neutral | L | 83–85 OT | NCAA | Chase Center |
| 130 | 2025-11-08 | 2025–26 | #14 Arkansas | #22 Michigan State | B10 | Away | L | 66–69 | Regular | Breslin Events Center |
| 131 | 2025-11-14 | 2025–26 | #21 Arkansas | Samford | SoCon | Home | W | 79–75 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 132 | 2025-11-18 | 2025–26 | #21 Arkansas | Winthrop | Big South | Home | W | 84–83 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 133 | 2026-01-24 | 2025–26 | #20 Arkansas | Louisiana State | SEC | Home | W | 85–81 | Regular | Bud Walton Arena |
| 134 | 2026-01-27 | 2025–26 | #15 Arkansas | Oklahoma | SEC | Away | W | 83–79 | Regular | Lloyd Noble Center |
| 135 | 2026-02-18 | 2025–26 | #20 Arkansas | #25 Alabama | SEC | Away | L | 115–117 2OT | Regular | Coleman Coliseum |
| 136 | 2026-03-07 | 2025–26 | #20 Arkansas | Missouri | SEC | Away | W | 88–84 OT | Regular | Mizzou Arena |
| 137 | 2026-03-13 | 2025–26 | #17 Arkansas | Oklahoma | SEC | Neutral | W | 82–79 | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |
| 138 | 2026-03-14 | 2025–26 | #17 Arkansas | Mississippi | SEC | Neutral | W | 93–90 OT | Conf. Tourn. | Bridgestone Arena |