There are several potential takeaways from the Arkansas game against the Jayhawks, though the final score isn’t one of them.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Arkansas takes on Tennessee this Saturday night, it will be just about 20 days until the Razorbacks basketball team begins its season with a low-stakes yet intriguing exhibition game against projected No. 1 Kansas.
While the game holds some value, primarily because it will give Razorbacks’ coach John Calipari his first chance to experience Bud Walton Arena from the home team’s bench, and an opportunity to see his squad compete against another team, Arkansas fans should remember not to read too much into it.
Last season, Purdue found itself in a similar position to Kansas. The Boilermakers, who were considered a strong contender for the NCAA tournament, faced the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. What was supposed to be a simple exhibition turned into an NCAA Tournament-like atmosphere, and Arkansas emerged with an 81-77 overtime victory, sparking statewide excitement.
However, that win proved to be deceptive. After starting with high expectations, Arkansas struggled through a frustrating season. Despite having the talent to beat teams like Purdue and Duke, the team underperformed, ending the year with one of the worst records in school history. By season’s end, Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek was publicly critical of Eric Musselman, the most successful Razorbacks coach of the century, as Musselman scrambled to find an exit from Fayetteville.
Of course, Arkansas has also experienced the other side of these preseason matchups. In 2022, the Hogs opened Texas’ new Moody Center but were crushed by the Longhorns, 90-60. Later that season, Arkansas defeated No. 1 Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in a thrilling game that saw Devonte Davis and Ricky Council lead the team to victory.
The Texas and Purdue exhibitions reflect Arkansas’s growing reputation in college basketball, and Calipari’s influence has helped secure another top-tier matchup, this time against Kansas. If anything, the respect Arkansas has earned is the main takeaway from the Oct. 25 game.
Ultimately, the game should be seen as a celebration of the start of basketball season, cooler weather, and the holiday season—all reasons for Arkansans to enjoy the moment, regardless of a score that holds no significance for the Razorbacks’ upcoming season.
