Exposing This Whole Arkansas-as-“Underdog” Narrative For What It Really Is

photo credit: CBS Sports / Craven WhitlowBefore John Calipari was at Arkansas, Razorbacks fans found themselves fond of considering Calipari as The Big Bad Guy. It was a reputation that, frankly, I never really understood. As though Calipari was doing things the wrong way, that he was villainous or something. Now that Calipari is doing it at Arkansas for Hogs fans’ favorite team, all is forgotten. Or at least forgiven.

Still, the label never jibed when put under examination. Other than Calipari taking advantage of the way recruiting worked in the late 2000s and early 2010s, he never did anything to suggest ill. In fact, he was always kind of the unlikely hero, really. Unless, of course, your…