Category: College Basketball

Image – Ethan Doan

It was a long offseason for Arkansas men’s basketball and head coach John Calipari following a Sweet 16 exit at the hands of No. 1 seed Arizona, 109–88.

The Razorbacks saw significant roster turnover, with Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, and Trevon Brazile selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, while Karter Knox, DJ Wagner, and several others entered the transfer portal. In response, Calipari reloaded with two transfers and a highly touted freshman class of eight, all set to join lone returner Billy Richmond III in pursuit of Arkansas’ first Final Four appearance since 1995.

It took until July 21, but Calipari finalized a roster featuring 15 players, including 12 viable rotation options and a notably deep frontcourt with five contributors capable of making an impact. This marks the deepest roster Calipari has assembled since arriving in Fayetteville.

That depth should provide critical flexibility throughout the season, reducing reliance on a short rotation and offering insurance against injuries during SEC play and potential postseason runs.

Arkansas has already offered an early glimpse of its potential, opening the year with a 4–0 showing in the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League. With under four months remaining until the regular season tips off, the Razorbacks appear poised to continue developing into a more complete team.

Here is a full recap of Arkansas’ 2026 offseason, including projected rotations, recruiting additions, updates on former Razorbacks, and a look ahead at the 2026–27 schedule. Links to each offseason breakdown are included below.

Projected Rotation:

Image – Whole Hog Sports

https://www.bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-basketball-john-calipari-rotation-caleb-ourigou-splash/

Here’s a look at John Calipari’s third roster on the Hill with junior wing Billy Richmond III headlining the projected starters:

Starters
Jordan Smith Jr., Guard (Freshman)
Jeremiah Wilkinson, Guard (Junior)
Billy Richmond III, Guard/Wing (Junior)
Miikka Muurinen, Wing/Forward (Freshman)
Cooper Bowser, Forward/Center (Senior)

I would be shocked if the group of Smith, Wilkinson and Richmond don’t begin the season in Calipari’s starting five.

Richmond is the only returner for Arkansas for the 2026-27 roster that played meaningful minutes last season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and two assists per contest. He took his game to a higher level, making 19 starts and scoring 20 or more points in five consecutive contests in February. If he becomes a better three-point shooter, his potential is endless as he enters his junior season.

Wilkinson, a Georgia transfer, brings a season of SEC experience after his first collegiate season at California, where he won ACC Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 17.4 points while making 35.7% of his three-pointers for the Bulldogs. His experience will be important if the Razorbacks’ young roster wants to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

Smith Jr., the consensus 2026 National High School Player of the Year. was the top ranked guard in the class of 2026. He may not be Darius Acuff Jr. offensively, but his defensive impact should be felt on the perimeter, something the Razorbacks lacked last season.

The front court spots are still in question but for the Razorbacks to reach their potential, Muurinen must live up to expectations as an athletic stretch-4. If he can bring a similar impact to what Trevon Brazile did last season for the Hogs, he should start.

While he may not be the starter the entire season, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser should begin the season next to Muurinen on the Arkansas front line. Bowser helped Furman reach the NCAA Tournament last season, scoring almost 14 points, rebounding six missed shots and shooting over 76% from the field per game as a junior.

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics

Bench
JJ Andrews, Wing (Freshman)
Abdou Torre, Wing (Freshman)
Caleb Ourigou, Forward/Center (Freshman)
Davion Thompson, Guard (Freshman)
Maper Maker, Forward/Center (Freshman)
Ilia Frolov, Forward/Center (Freshman)
Paulo Semedo, Forward/Center (Redshirt Freshman)
Isaiah Sealey, Wing (Sophomore)
Ayden Kelly, Guard (Junior)
Amere Brown, Guard (Sophomore)

The first four guys of the bench for John Calipari this season should all be freshmen. Torre and Andrews will be expected to come in behind Richmond on the wings, especially after Karter Knox’s exit to Louisville. There should be some growing pains like there were during the 2024 season, when Boogie Fland, Richmond and Knox came in as freshmen and Arkansas began SEC play 0-5 before a Sweet 16 appearance.

The next two reserves are both reclassifications from the 2027 class. Thompson, was an awesome piece for the Mean Streets program on the Nike EYBL circuit and for USA Basketball in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup last spring. He was a huge addition to the 2026-27 roster, with Smith Jr. and Wilkinson being the only two guards that were on the roster.

Ourigou will likely begin the season on the bench but by the start of SEC play, he could be starting in the paint for the Razorbacks. The four-star big man was an important piece for the New York Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit. His potential rise at Arkansas will be important for the young Razorback front court.

After Isaiah Sealey’s injury earlier this summer, Paulo Semedo is expected to get at least some playing time at center this season after redshirting as a freshman. Newcomers Ilia Frolov and Maper Maker will try to find where they fit in the front court after committing to Arkansas this summer.

Backcourt mates Ayden Kelly and Amere Brown will be sitting at the end of the bench this season for the Razorbacks.

Recruiting:

Image – On3

2026 Class (via 247 Sports Composite)
No. 3 Jordan Smith Jr. (No. 1 Combo Guard) Fairfax, VA Paul VI Catholic High School
No. 14 Abdou Torre (No. 5 Small Forward) West Haven, CT Notre Dame High School
No. 17 JJ Andrews (No. 6 Small Forward) Little Rock, AR Little Rock Christian Academy
No. 50 Davion Thompson (No. 6 Point Guard) Branson, MO Link Academy
No. 59 Miikka Muurinen (No. 10 Power Forward) Serbia, SERB KK Partizan
No. 85 Caleb Ourigou (No. 12 Center) Atlanta, GA Overtime Elite
Maper Maker (Unranked Center) Australia, AUS AUNZ Prep
Ilia Frolov (Unranked Center) Samara, RU Real Madrid U22 Team

John Calipari once again signed a consensus No. 1 high school recruiting class in 2026, landing three five-star prospects and three four-star prospects.

Jordan Smith Jr., the nation’s top combo guard, capped a decorated senior season by earning consensus national high school player of the year honors in 2025-26. Wings Abdou Toure and JJ Andrews both surged up the rankings after strong senior campaigns, while late four-star commitment Miikka Muurinen and reclassifications from 2027 guards Davion Thompson and Caleb Ourigou added even more upside to the class.

That group gives Arkansas the kind of depth needed to push beyond the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament and withstand injuries without a major drop-off. Maper Maker and Ilia Frolov also add needed size and depth at forward and center after their summer commitments.

Image – Whole Hog Sports

Transfer Additions (via 247 Sports)
No. 31 Jeremiah Wilkinson, Guard (Sophomore) Former School: Georgia
No. 196 Cooper Bowser, Center (Junior) Former School: Furman

While John Calipari is best known for building his teams through high school recruiting, he also added two transfers this offseason: one to bolster the frontcourt and another to add scoring on the perimeter after Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas entered the 2026 NBA Draft.

Cooper Bowser, who spent three seasons at Furman, committed to Arkansas on April 14. The 6-foot-11 senior brings experience, size, and a veteran presence that should help anchor the Razorbacks’ front court in 2026-27.

Jeremiah Wilkinson, a talented point guard, committed to Arkansas the same day. He played one season at California and one at Georgia, where he emerged as one of the SEC’s best scorers, and should give the Razorbacks both perimeter offense and backcourt leadership. His energy on defense should also help Arkansas improve on that end of the floor.

The future for former Razorbacks:

Image – College Sports Network

Transfers Out
No. 59 Karter Knox, Wing (Sophomore) New School: Louisville
No. 125 DJ Wagner, Guard (Junior) New School: Maryland
Malique Ewin, Center (Senior) New School: Oregon
Jaden Karuletwa, Guard (Sophomore) New School: TBA
Elmir Dzafic, Center (Freshman) New School: UConn
Karim Rtail, Forward (Freshman) New School: TBA

Wing Karter Knox was the first Razorback to enter the transfer portal after Arkansas’ NCAA Tournament exit. Knox averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 46 percent from the field during the 2025-26 season. His year ended early after he suffered a left meniscus injury against Auburn on Feb. 19.

Following surgery to repair the injury, there was hope Knox could return to help Arkansas during its NCAA Tournament run, but that never materialized. On April 15, he announced on Instagram that he would transfer to Louisville.

Guard DJ Wagner, who spent three seasons under John Calipari — one at Kentucky and two at Arkansas — entered the portal a few days later. Wagner averaged 7.4 points and 2.4 assists while shooting nearly 43 percent from the field, serving as Darius Acuff Jr.’s backup for much of the spring.

With Jordan Smith Jr. and Davion Thompson coming in, Wagner faced a reduced role and knew he would not receive the same starting opportunities he had in Lexington and, at times, in Fayetteville. He ultimately announced his plans to transfer to Maryland, where he will join Baba Olatodun, a wing Arkansas had also recruited before he committed to the Terrapins.

Reserve forwards Karim Rtail, Elmir Dzafic, and guard Jaden Karuletwa also entered the transfer portal. Dzafic committed to UConn on June 1, while Rtail and Karuletwa remain uncommitted.

Big man Malique Ewin entered the transfer portal in hopes of gaining leverage for a fifth year of eligibility and when he finally did at the beginning of August, he committed to play for Oregon. In response, Calipari added five players listed at 6-foot-11 or taller to help replace Ewin and Nick Pringle while improving Arkansas’ interior defense.

Selected in 2026 NBA Draft:
Round 1, Pick 7 Darius Acuff Jr., Guard (Sacramento Kings)
Round 2, Pick 34 Meleek Thomas, Guard (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Round 2, Pick 35 Trevon Brazile, Forward (Denver Nuggets)

Signed NBA Summer League Contract
Nick Pringle, Center (Boston Celtics)

After Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas and Trevon Brazile were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, and Nick Pringle earned an opportunity with the Boston Celtics in Summer League, each player made strong impressions against competition from across the league.

Acuff led Sacramento with 19.2 points and 4.6 assists per game across five Summer League appearances. His efficiency was not quite at the level he showed at Arkansas, but the Kings should like the way his game translated as he begins his NBA career.

Thomas was even more explosive for Cleveland, averaging 27.3 points, 3.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 43.8 percent from three over four games. He scored 35 points against Miami, had at least 20 points in every appearance, and posted 30-plus points twice. He was named to the 2026 NBA Summer League First Team after his awesome performances in his four games played.

Brazile also stood out for Denver, averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 45 percent from the field and 47 percent from three. He highlighted that run with a 32-point performance, six made threes and six rebounds in a win over Oklahoma City.

Pringle contributed in limited action for Boston, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals over three games.

Graduated
Trevon Brazile, Forward
Nick Pringle, Center

Two frontcourt players are out of eligibility following the 2025-26 season, though their professional paths and future status differ. Trevon Brazile will begin his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets after being selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, Malique Ewin is still seeking a waiver for a fifth year of eligibility, and Nick Pringle remains in search of his next professional opportunity after playing for the Boston Celtics in NBA Summer League.

Brazile’s Arkansas career was defined by talent, resilience, and a long road back from injury. The Springfield, Missouri native burst onto the scene during his sophomore season after transferring from Missouri, becoming a key piece on Eric Musselman’s fourth Razorback team before a torn ACL halted his momentum and paused early NBA Draft buzz.

After recovering, Brazile’s path changed again when he entered the transfer portal following Musselman’s departure to USC, but John Calipari later convinced him to return to Fayetteville. That decision paid off, as Brazile became a solid junior contributor and then delivered a strong senior season, averaging 13 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from three, along with 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.

Pringle’s college journey was longer, taking him from Wofford to junior college, then to Alabama and South Carolina before joining Arkansas. His final college season with the Razorbacks was modest statistically at 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, but he brought veteran experience, and he is still seeking his next pro chance after Summer League with Boston.

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League Results
July 31 The Bahamas National Team (Win, 106-59)
Aug. 1 Carleton University (Win, 98-58)
Aug. 3 Toros Del Valle (Win, 91-49)
Aug. 4 University of Calgary (Win, 105-48)

Arkansas opened the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League with a dominant 106-59 victory against The Bahamas National Team. Guard Jordan Smith Jr. scored 22 points and assisted on six made field goals. Wing Abdou Torre came off the bench and scored 16 points and added ten rebounds in a double-double performance. The Razorbacks went up and down the court, blocking 13 shots, collecting 19 steals and scoring 37 points off turnovers.

The Razorbacks continued their success against Carleton University, dominating the Ravens 98-58 after a slow start. Five Arkansas players scored in double figures including Smith Jr., who turned in a double-double performance with 21 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds and Jeremiah Wilkinson, who scored 26 points while shooting 5-for-9 from three-point range.

Four Hogs scored in double-figures in Arkansas’ 91-49 win against Colombian professional team Toros Del Valle. Freshman wing JJ Andrews scored 15 points and added 13 rebounds to put together a double-double performance while Smith Jr. continued his tremendous week, scoring 13 points, dishing out four assists and adding three steals. Junior wing Billy Richmond and freshman guard Davion Thompson scored 25 combined points, both shooting an efficient 50% at 4-8 from the field.

Arkansas put on a phenomenal performance to close out their run in the Bahamas, defeating The University of Calgary 105-48, behind terrific performances from freshmen wings Andrews and Torre. Andrews recorded 24 points, shooting 10-for-13 with six rebounds and four steals while Toure put up 20 points, shooting 10-for-14, and assisted three assists. Smith Jr. had 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting while freshman center Caleb Ourigou turned in a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

The Razorbacks have now returned to Fayetteville in preparation for another tough regular season schedule that now includes three exhibition games and 32 games in the regular season.

https://bracketeer.org/nonconference/sec

2026-2027 Schedule (As of August 13, 2027)
Oct. TBA Gonzaga (Exhibition)
Oct. 28 Memphis (Exhibition)
Nov. 2 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Nov. TBA Virginia (Washington DC)
Nov. 10 Robert Morris
Nov. 13 Central Arkansas
Nov. 17 Indiana (New York City; Bad Boy Mowers Series – New York)
Nov. 26 Michigan State (Detroit; CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic)
Dec. 1 at North Carolina (ACC/SEC Challenge)
Dec. 5 Oral Roberts
Dec. 19 Arizona (Phoenix; Hall of Fame Series)
Dec. 22 Central Michigan
Dec. 29 Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Jan. 2 Missouri
Jan. 5/6 at South Carolina
Jan. 9 Alabama
Jan. 12/13 at Texas A&M
Jan. 16 at Tennessee
Jan. 19/20 Georgia
Jan. 23 at Texas
Jan. 26/27 LSU
Jan. 30 Mississippi State
Feb. 2/3 BYE
Feb. 6 at Vanderbilt
Feb. 9/10 Ole Miss
Feb. 13 at Alabama
Feb. 16/17 Auburn
Feb. 20 at Kentucky
Feb. 23 at Missouri
Feb. 27 Florida
March 2/3 at LSU
March 6 Oklahoma
March 10-14 SEC Tournament (Nashville)

After playing all eight Elite Eight teams from the 2024-25 season during the 2025-26 campaign, Calipari has loaded Arkansas’ 2026-27 non-conference schedule with four high-end matchups, all away from Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks will host Gonzaga and Memphis in Fayetteville for two October exhibitions before opening their marquee slate at Capital One Arena against Virginia sometime in November. The Razorbacks host Robert Morris (Nov. 10) and Central Arkansas (Nov. 13) before heading to Madison Square Garden to play against Indiana in the Bad Boy Mowers Series – New York on Nov. 17.

Arkansas will then play on Thanksgiving Day for the third straight season, traveling to Detroit to face Michigan State (Nov. 26), before heading to Chapel Hill a week later to meet North Carolina (Dec. 2) in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Arkansas welcomes Oral Roberts (Dec. 5) to town after returning from Chapel Hill.

The final major non-conference test comes against Arizona in Phoenix on Dec. 19 as part of the Hall of Fame Series. Arkansas’ remaining non-conference games include Central Michigan on Dec. 22 and UT-Rio Grande Valley on Dec. 29.

Arkansas opens SEC play at home against Missouri (Jan. 2) before a midweek matchup on the road at South Carolina (Jan. 5/6). The Razorbacks return home to face Alabama (Jan. 9), looking to end a six-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. A roadtrip to Texas A&M (Jan. 12/13) comes up next and then they will head to Knoxville to face Rick Barnes’ Tennessee team (Jan. 16).

Arkansas returns home to face Georgia (Jan. 19/20) before heading to face Texas (Jan. 23). A two-game home stand comes up next for the Hogs with LSU (Jan. 26/27) and Mississippi State (Jan. 30) coming to town. They will take a bye week (Feb. 2/3) before heading to Nashville to face Vanderbilt (Feb. 6). Ole Miss (Feb. 9/10) comes to Fayetteville before Arkansas makes the return trip to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama (Feb. 13).

Arkansas welcomes Auburn (Feb. 16/17) to Fayetteville before the Razorbacks make the trip to Rupp Arena to face John Calipari’s former school, Kentucky (Feb. 20). The Hogs return to Mizzou Arena to face Missouri (Feb. 23) before finishing February at Bud Walton against Florida (Feb. 27).

Arkansas opens the month of March by making a return trip to Baton Rouge to face LSU (March 2/3) before concluding SEC play how they opened it, at Bud Walton Arena, but against Oklahoma (March 6). The Razorbacks will head to Nashville again, this time for the SEC Tournament (March 10-14), looking to defend their trophy before making another run in the NCAA Tournament, assuming they qualify.

Next season, Calipari’s team should be rewarded with a loaded home schedule, including matchups against the Spartans, Wildcats, and an ACC opponent at home in the challenge.

Check out all of my blog posts covering Arkansas men’s basketball’s 2026 off-season:
Hog Hoops: Karter Knox’s exit, Malique Ewin decision looming as transfer portal explodes
Arkansas lands their first transfer commitment as Meleek Thomas makes a decision on his future
Jeremiah Wilkinson becomes Arkansas’ second portal commitment
Razorback Center Malique Ewin entered the transfer portal hours before it closed
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. declares for the 2026 NBA Draft
Arkansas wing Billy Richmond III declares for 2026 NBA Draft, maintains college eligibility
Miikka Muurinen commits to Arkansas; four Razorbacks earn NBA Draft Combine invites
Billy Richmond Returns to Arkansas; Meleek Thomas Remains in NBA Draft
Razorbacks Reload: Arizona Series Set, UNC Road Trip, and Thompson commits
Hogs To Play Exhibition Games At Baha Mar Resort In The Bahamas This Summer
Arkansas Adds Russian Center Ilia Frolov
Razorbacks Shine on Draft Night: Acuff Leads Trio to NBA
SEC announces Arkansas’ 2026-2027 league opponents
Razorbacks’ Baha Mar Exhibition Schedule Set
Arkansas, Michigan State Matchup in 2026 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic
Arkansas to Face Indiana In Madison Square Garden As Part Of The Bad Boy Mowers Series – New York
Thompson, Ourigou reclassify to 2026, complete Calipari’s roster
Arkansas’ 2027 SEC Schedule Set

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and @carterbhuffsports on Instagram, and subscribe to Carter B. Huff Sports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@carterbhuffsports.com.

Image – Yahoo Sports

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas will open and close SEC play at Bud Walton Arena, as the league released its 2027 men’s basketball schedule Monday.

Midweek designations, tipoff times, and television information will be announced at a later date.

For the second straight season, the Razorbacks begin conference play at home, hosting Missouri (Jan. 2) in the first of two meetings with the Tigers. Arkansas then travels to South Carolina (Jan. 5/6) before returning to Fayetteville to face Alabama (Jan. 9).

The Hogs follow with consecutive road trips to Texas A&M (Jan. 12/13) and Tennessee (Jan. 16) before closing January with three of four games at home. That stretch opens against Georgia (Jan. 19/20), followed by home matchups with LSU (Jan. 26/27) and Mississippi State (Jan. 30). The lone road contest during that span is a trip to Texas (Jan. 23), where Arkansas will face the Longhorns at the Moody Center.

After an early February bye, Arkansas enters its most demanding stretch, playing four of its next six games on the road. The Razorbacks visit Vanderbilt (Feb. 6), host Ole Miss (Feb. 9/10), travel to Alabama (Feb. 13), and return home to face Auburn (Feb. 16/17). Road games at Kentucky (Feb. 20) and Missouri (Feb. 23) follow, including a trip to Rupp Arena to face John Calipari’s former program.

Arkansas closes the regular season with three games in eight days, hosting Florida (Feb. 27), traveling to LSU (March 2/3), and finishing at home against Oklahoma (March 6).

The SEC Tournament will be held March 10–14 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

Arkansas 2026-27 Men’s Basketball SEC Schedule (as of July 27, 2026)
Jan. 2 Missouri          
Jan. 5/6 at South Carolina      
Jan. 9 Alabama       
Jan. 12/13 at Texas A&M  
Jan. 16 at Tennessee 
Jan. 19/20 Georgia  
Jan. 23 at Texas      
Jan. 26/27 LSU  
Jan. 30 Mississippi State        
Feb. 2/3 BYE    
Feb. 6 at Vanderbilt          
Feb. 9/10 Ole Miss
Feb. 13 at Alabama       
Feb. 16/17 Auburn   
Feb. 20 at Kentucky       
Feb. 23/24 at Missouri  
Feb. 27 Florida 
Mar. 2/3 at LSU     
Mar. 6 Oklahoma        
Mar. 10-14  SEC Tournament (Nashville, Tenn. – Bridgestone Arena)

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and @carterbhuffsports on Instagram, and subscribe to Carter B. Huff Sports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@carterbhuffsports.com.

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

FAYETTEVILLE – Two historic programs will face off when the Arkansas Razorbacks play the Indiana Hoosiers in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 17, as part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series – New York.

John Calipari’s teams have posted a 16-12 record in 28 games played in Madison Square Garden as a college basketball coach. He first played in the “World’s Most Famous Arena” as coach of UMass, in the 1991 Final Four. His last outing at MSG came in his first season at Arkansas, when the Razorbacks defeated then No. 14 Michigan 89-87, as part of the Jimmy V Classic (Dec. 10, 2024).

Coach Calipari is 3-2 all-time versus Indiana, all of the games being during his tenure at Kentucky:
Dec. 12, 2009 No. 4 UK won 90-73 at Indiana (Assembly Hall)
Dec. 11, 2010 No. 17 UK won 81-62 vs Indiana (Rupp Arena)
Dec. 10, 2011 No. 1 UK lost 73-72 at Indiana (Assembly Hall)
March 23, 2012 No. 1 UK won 102-90 vs No. 16 Indiana in the Sweet 16 (Georgia Dome)
March 19, 2016 No. 10 UK lost 73-67 vs No. 14 Indiana in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament (Wells Fargo Arena)

Arkansas is 3-2 all-time versus Indiana.
Dec. 15, 1949 lost 75-50 at Indiana (Assembly Hall)
March 2, 2008 won 86-72 vs Indiana in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament (Raleigh, N.C.)
Nov. 18, 2018 won 73-72 vs Indiana (Bud Walton Arena)
March 23, 2019 lost 63-60 at Indiana in the Second Round of the NIT (Assembly Hall)
Dec. 29, 2019 won 71-64 at Indiana (Assembly Hall)

All statistics in this post are according to arkansasrazorbacks.com.

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and Instagram, and subscribe to cbhsports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cbhsports_.

Image – Lansing State Journal

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

Razorbacks-Spartans to matchup on Thanksgiving Day
After the game reported on back in April, Arkansas and Michigan State both formally announced that they will be facing off in the 2026 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic on Thanksgiving Day at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The game will be nationally broadcasted on CBS and available to stream live on Paramount+ at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Both the Razorbacks and Spartans enjoyed successful 2025-26 seasons, both advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. On the first Saturday of the regular season in 2025, MSU defeated UA 69-66 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing (Nov. 8).

Arkansas went 28-9 overall and won the SEC Tournament in John Calipari’s second season in Fayetteville. Their 28 victories match the 2021-22 team for the most wins since the 1994-95 Razorback squad that went 32-7 and reached the national final. UA’s roster will be centered around returning wing Billy Richmond III, Georgia transfer guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and four high-end freshmen including guard Jordan Smith Jr., wing Abdou Torre, wing JJ Andrews and forward Miikka Muurinen

Last season, Tom Izzo and Michigan State advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The Spartans’ boasted a record of 27-8 and finished second in the Big Ten. The Spartans are set to return All-Big Ten point guard Jeremiah Fears, and two other starters Coen Carr and Jordan Scott. They welcome the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class in 2026 with Julius Avent, Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., and Ethan Taylor, all of whom are four-star prospects.

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and Instagram, and subscribe to cbhsports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cbhsports_.

Image – Ethan Doan

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

Arkansas’ 4 Bahamas opponents set
The opponents for Arkansas’ four exhibition games in the Bahamas have been announced later this summer. The Razorbacks will face a mix of international competition at the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas as part of the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League.

The exhibition trip will be seven days, beginning on July 29 through August 4. Arkansas will play four games at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment center on-site at the resort. The group includes the Bahamas national team, two of the top collegiate teams from Canada and the reigning champion from the top Colombian professional league.

The Razorbacks’ four games in the Bahamas:
July 31 vs. The Bahamas National Team (6 p.m. CT)
Aug. 1 vs. Carleton State University (5 p.m.)
Aug. 3 vs. Toros del Valle (5 p.m.)
Aug. 4 vs. University of Calgary (11 a.m.)

The Bahamas National Team will be made up of their national team players. Carleton University is located in Ottawa, Ontario. The Ravens are the defending Canadian national collegiate champion after going 27-9 overall and 17-5 in conference play. They won the Ontario University Athletics conference last season before winning the program’s 18th Canadian Men’s Basketball National Championship.

Toros del Valle is a professional team from Cali, Columbia. They play in the Liga WPlay de Baloncesto, the best professional basketball league in Columbia. Toros won the 2026 Apertura title in June. The University of Calgary, located in Calgary, Alberty made it to and hosted the 2026 U Sports Men’s Final 8 Basketball Tournament. The Dinos lost their first-round matchup versus Victoria and also fell in the consolation semifinal to Acadia. They were the U SPORTS runner-up in 2025.

Other NCAA teams participating in the Baha Mars Summer League include Cincinnati, South Carolina, Valparaiso and Texas A&M.

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and Instagram, and subscribe to cbhsports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cbhsports_.

Image – Ethan Doan

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

FAYETTEVILLE – The Southeastern Conference released the men’s basketball home and away conference opponents for the 2026-27 season. The Razorbacks will play Alabama, LSU and Missouri twice during the regular season, once at home and once on the road.

Arkansas will face the other 12 SEC teams once. The Razorbacks will host Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Oklahoma at Bud Walton Arena and will travel to face Auburn, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M.

League play tips off on Saturday, January 2, and runs through Saturday, March 6. Each SEC team plays the other 15 teams at least once during league play. Three teams will be played a second time during the schedule – two of which are permanent opponents and one that will change each year.

The SEC Tournament returns to Nashville, Tenn., as Bridgestone Arena will host the event from March 10-14, 2027.

Arkansas 2026-27 SEC Opponents

Home Games:
Alabama
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
LSU
Ole Miss
Mississippi State
Missouri
Oklahoma

Road Games:
at Alabama
at Kentucky
at LSU
at Missouri
at South Carolina
at Tennessee
at Texas
at Texas A&M
at Vanderbilt

Notes:
● Under the new scheduling format, this will be the second-straight year Arkansas will face both LSU and Missouri twice as SEC-designated “permanent opponents.”
● Arkansas and LSU have met for a home-and-home series in all but two seasons since the Razorbacks joined the SEC for the 1991-92 season. The Razorbacks and Tigers only met once in 2013 (in Baton Rouge) and just once in 2015 (in Fayetteville). Arkansas leads the Tigers 42-32 since the Razorbacks joined the SEC. Since Arkansas joined the SEC, the Tigers are the Razorbacks’ most common SEC opponent with 72 meetings followed by Mississippi State (62), Auburn (62), Alabama (61) and Ole Miss (61).
● Arkansas and Missouri will be playing a home-and-home series for the 15th consecutive year. The streak coincides with the number of years since the Tigers joined the SEC (2012-13). Arkansas leads the all-time series with Missouri, 38-28, and leads 19-10 since the Tigers joined the SEC, including wins in 10 of the last 12 meetings.
● The last time Arkansas and Alabama met faced each other twice in the regular season was the 2022-2023 campaign. Alabama swept the series that season, winning 84-69 in Fayetteville and 86-83 in Tuscaloosa. The Razorbacks hold a one game advantage against the Crimson Tide all time, 36-35, but trail Alabama 32-29 since the Hogs joined the SEC. Alabama has won six straight in the series. Since 2020, six of the nine meetings between the two schools have been at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa.
● For just the third consecutive year and the fifth time since Texas A&M joined the SEC (2012-13), Arkansas and the Aggies will meet just once in the regular season. Texas A&M is Arkansas’ most common opponent with 171 games played in the series since the Hog’s first year of basketball (1923-24). Arkansas leads the all-time series with the Aggies, 109-62, and own a 14-11 advantage since A&M joined the SEC. The home team has dominated the series over the last 14 seasons as Arkansas is 11-1 versus the Aggies at home and Texas A&M is 8-3 versus the Razorbacks in College Station.

The full 2026-27 SEC schedule will be unveiled at a later date.

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and Instagram, and subscribe to cbhsports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cbhsports_.

Image – Cantera Basket on Instagram

Image – Joe Tipton on X

Frolov fills Razorbacks’ gap at center
Russian center Ilia Frolov has signed with Arkansas. ESPN Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi was first to report the news.

“It was an amazing visit. Coach Calipari and the staff made me feel welcomed and comfortable. Coach Cal can teach me a lot about the game, and I will do whatever it takes to help him win.”

Frolov is a 6-foot-11, 225-pounder with potential to lead the Arkansas front court during the upcoming 2026-27 season, as he averaged 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 assists for Real Madrid’s U22 team. He shot an effective 36.1% from three-point range 84.6% from the free throw line. Frolov is also a member of the Russian National Team.

Frolov began his visit to Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 16, including an evaluation from the Razorbacks’ staff. He will join a Razorback front court that already includes Finnish forward Miikka Muurinen, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, and former four-star Maper Maker.

Frolov pledged to the Razorbacks on his 18th birthday.

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and Instagram, and subscribe to cbhsports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cbhsports_.

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

NASSAU, Bahamas (June 18, 2026) – Arkansas fans can get a preview of John Calipari’s 2026-27 Razorbacks when they play four exhibition games against international competition as part of the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League from Friday, July 31, through Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the beautiful Baha Mar resort.

The seven day trip runs July 29 through Aug. 4, including four exhibition games at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center on-site at the resort. The Razorbacks will play games on July 31 (6 p.m. CT), Aug. 1 (5 p.m.), Aug. 3 (5 p.m.) and Aug. 4 (11 a.m.). Opponents, including international teams and Canadian universities, will be announced at a later date.

As John Calipari enters his third season as head coach at Arkansas, the Razorbacks feature junior wing Billy Richmond III, who averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season. As the lone returner with the program with significant experience, Richmond will be joined by a new group of freshmen including guard Jordan Smith Jr., wing JJ Andrews, wing Abdou Torre, forward Miika Muurinen, and transfer guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and forward Cooper Bowser.

New NCAA rules allow college teams to take a foreign tour annually after the previous rule allowed such a trip only once every four academic years.

South Carolina and Valparaiso were announced as other participants in the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League. Additional U.S. college teams scheduled to take part in the event will be announced soon.

The event, now in its fifth year, is run by bdG Sports, a Kentucky-based sports and entertainment company that organizes around two dozen men’s and women’s college basketball games at Baha Mar each November.

For more news, analysis, and coverage, visit https://carterbhuffsports.com, follow @cbhsports_ on X and Instagram, and subscribe to cbhsports on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cbhsports_.

Image – USA Today

Image – The Florida Times-Union

NCAA Tournaments officially expands to 76 teams
The brackets of the Division I men’s and women’s basketball championships will increase from 68 to 76 teams starting in March of 2027.

According to the NCAA’s official announcement, adding eight teams to the tournament fields “[creates] additional championship participation opportunities for student-athletes and more exciting matchups for fans.”

The NCAA will also prove additional financial support for all 76 teams that appear in each tournament, increasing the dollars available to both basketball programs and through revenue-sharing.

The expansion and financial increase were approved by the Division I men’s and women’s Basketball Committees, the Division I men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees, and the Division I Finance Committee, the Division I Board of Directors and the NCAA Board of Governors.

“Providing additional access to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships for Division I programs will be incredibly meaningful, especially to the student-athletes of the eight additional men’s and women’s programs that receive these coveted bids,” said NCAA Board of Governors Chair Jim Phillips, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference. ‘The leadership by President Charlie Baker as well as Dan Gavitt, Lynn Holzman and JoAn Scott has been outstanding. We also appreciate the support of our broadcast partners and corporate champions and partners in making this a reality.”

The eight extra bids mean 21% of teams have a spot in the NCAA’s basketball postseason. Before expansion, championship access for basketball teams was at 18%, the lowest among major team sports.

Image – ESPN

More championship opportunities for student-athletes 
Expansion will create more opportunities for basketball student-athletes to compete in one of college sports’ premier postseason events, without affecting the regular season or conference championship schedules.

The growth in tournament participation reflects the steady rise in Division I programs. Since 1985, the number of Division I women’s basketball teams has increased from 277 to 359, while men’s programs have grown from 282 to 361.

The women’s championship began in 1982 with 32 teams. The field expanded by eight teams in both 1986 and 1989, then reached 64 teams in 1994. It remained at that size until 2022, when it grew to 68 teams. With the latest expansion, the women’s tournament has added 12 teams since 2022.

The men’s championship started in 1939 with just eight teams. The field doubled to 16 in 1951 and later expanded from 32 to 40 teams in 1979, from 40 to 48 in 1980, and from 53 to 64 in 1985. The tournament stayed at 64 teams until 2001, when it increased to 65, and then to 68 in 2011.

The NCAA will continue to cover transportation, lodging, meals, and other related expenses for teams competing under the expanded format.

Image – NCAA March Madness on X

How the Opening Round changes

As has been the case since 2011, the men’s championship will begin on the Tuesday following Selection Sunday, with the 2027 tournament tipping off on March 16. However, the Opening Round format will expand. Instead of two games on Tuesday and Wednesday in Dayton, there will now be three games each day in Dayton and three games on each of those days at a second site that has yet to be announced. In total, 12 games will make up what will now be known as the March Madness Opening Round.

The remainder of the men’s tournament schedule will stay the same, with the round of 64 played Thursday and Friday, the round of 32 on Saturday and Sunday, and no changes to regional rounds or the Men’s Final Four.

The women’s tournament calendar will also remain unchanged. Opening Round games in 2027 will take place Wednesday and Thursday, March 17–18, and will be conducted on the campuses of 12 of the top 16 seeds selected to host. The round of 64 will be played Friday and Saturday, while the round of 32 will take place Sunday and Monday. Regional competition will take place March 26 and 29 in Philadelphia and Las Vegas, while the Women’s Final Four will be played April 2 and 4 in Columbus, Ohio.

The 76-team brackets will include an automatic qualifier from each conference, along with the best at-large teams selected by the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Committees. The lowest-seeded 12 automatic qualifiers, as determined by the committees, will compete in half of the Opening Round games, while the other six games will feature the 12 lowest-seeded at-large teams.

Teams will continue to be matched based on their position on the committees’ overall seed lists, which rank all 76 teams. For example, seed 75 may play seed 76 in one Opening Round game, while the lowest-seeded at-large team selected to the field may face the second-lowest-seeded at-large team. Adjustments may be made to avoid regular-season rematches or for geographic considerations. The committee will continue to use existing principles and procedures to avoid matching teams from the same conference in the Opening Round and the round of 64 when possible.

“The expanded Opening Round for the NCAA tournaments will now feature 12 automatic qualifiers and 12 total at-large teams, resulting in highly competitive matchups and greater access to the opportunity to compete for the championship for the eight new at-large bids,” Division I Men’s Basketball Committee Chair Keith Gill said, commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference. “During the last two years of the tournaments, men’s and women’s teams seeded 15 or 16 are winless in 32 first-round games. Moving forward nearly half of the 28 men’s and women’s teams seeded on the 15 and 16 lines will win at least one tournament game. March Madness is the best postseason in all of sports, and this new format will continue that legacy by producing even more compelling games for fans and student-athletes.”

“The growth of women’s basketball has been phenomenal in recent years, and we are pleased to be able to offer additional opportunities to the student-athletes and teams that earn them,” said Division I Women’s Basketball Committee Chair Amanda Braun, athletics director at Milwaukee. “The committees took our charge seriously, and we believe this is responsible stewardship of the championship.”