John Calipari’s daughter, Megan Calipari, endured an emotional turbulence during Arkansas’ first-round NCAA Tournament game against Kansas. As the Razorbacks battled their way to a stunning 79-72 upset, CBS cameras caught Megan visibly stressed, her head buried in her lap during the second half. She could hardly bring herself to watch as her father’s team fought back late in the game.
It wasn’t until the final minute that Megan finally looked up, witnessing Arkansas secure the win with clutch free throws from Johnell Davis and Billy Richmond III. Despite the thrilling victory, the game clearly took a toll on her. Hours later, she took to Instagram to address her nerves, writing, “Hey guys, thanks for asking, but no, I’m not okay.”
Megan Calipari was going through one… pic.twitter.com/f9VIfUtmNV
— NFL Be Like (@TheNFLBeLike) March 21, 2025
An Emotional Night For John Calipari’s Family
The dramatic finish left Megan and the remaining Calipari family on edge. At one point, her mother, Ellen Calipari, was seen comforting her as the tension built. With Arkansas trailing by three in the final minutes, Megan’s visible stress became a talking point for viewers, quickly making her a viral sensation on social media.
Calipari’s daughter has finally looked up pic.twitter.com/J8zxYOsUtW
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) March 21, 2025
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THE RAZORBACKS TAKE MOMENTUM RIGHT BACK 🔥#MarchMadness @RazorbackMBB pic.twitter.com/GTEHwNaD5e
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2025
Fortunately for the Caliparis, the Razorbacks prevailed. Jonas Aidoo led the way with 22 points, propelling Arkansas into the Round of 32. However, the journey isn’t getting any easier. Up next, the Razorbacks face No. 2-seeded St. John’s, a powerhouse under head coach Rick Pitino. The Red Storm dominated Omaha in an 83-53 win, losing only four games all season.
Oddsmakers have St. John’s favored by 6.5 points, with ESPN’s analytics giving them a 71.3% chance to advance to the Sweet 16. With another intense matchup looming, Megan may have to brace for another nerve-wracking experience.
Tipoff is set for Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET. If the first-round game was any indication, Megan Calipari might go viral again.
