After early round losses in the NCAA Tournament at Kentucky and an 0-5 start to SEC play with Arkansas, it was clear that Hall of Fame coach John Calipari had gone through a rough stretch (hadn’t made it to the second weekend of the tourney since reaching the 2019 Elite Eight).
Last year, the Razorbacks finished 20-13 (8-10 SEC) and barely made the tourney as a 10 seed. At the time, I wasn’t thinking too highly of the group. But ever since 2025 March Madness, this has been a program on the rise.
Arkansas managed to make the Sweet 16 (defeated Kansas and St John’s), losing by two points in overtime vs. Texas Tech.
Fast forward to this season, and the momentum hasn’t stopped. Calipari’s squad is 9-2 and has a huge game vs. Houston this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Here’s a great quote from Coach Cal following last weekend’s 93-86 win vs. Texas Tech in Dallas where big man Trevon Brazile shined bright with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks:
“Instead of competing, they’re trying to complete each other.”
