Arkansas Falls to Arizona in Sweet 16 Showdown

Arizona advanced to the Elite Eight with a 109-88 victory over Arkansas on Thursday night at SAP Center in San Jose. The Wildcats entered as the top seed and No. 2 in the polls. Arkansas was the No. 4 seed and ranked 14th/15th.

Game summary

Arizona dominated from the opening tip and led wire-to-wire. The Wildcats shot 64 percent for the game. They scored 60 points in the paint and had six players finish in double figures.

Arkansas struggled from deep, making only five of 17 three-point attempts. The Razorbacks finish the season 28-9. That mark includes an SEC Tournament title.

Key plays and momentum

The first half produced 87 combined points, with Arizona ahead 54-43 at the break. Neither team put together a run larger than six points in that period.

Arizona stretched the lead to 15 late in the first half before Arkansas trimmed the margin to 11 at intermission. Foul trouble for Arkansas factored into the Wildcats’ free throw advantage.

Second half

The Wildcats kept up their hot shooting in the second half. Arizona shot 63.3 percent after halftime and extended its lead with an 8-0 run down the stretch.

Arkansas stayed within reach for portions of the half but could not close the gap. The contest ended with Arizona comfortably ahead.

Individual performances

• Brayden Burries led Arizona with 23 points.
• Freshman Koa Peat scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
• Darius Acuff Jr. paced Arkansas with 28 points and set a single-season school mark at 845 points.
• Meleek Thomas added 17 points for the Razorbacks.
• Billy Richmond III contributed 13 points before fouling out.

Statistical and historical notes

The 28 wins are the most by an SEC team in 2025-26. They are also the third-most by Arkansas since joining the league.

Arkansas made its 16th Sweet 16 appearance and its second straight. The program has reached the regional round five times in the last six seasons.

Coach and player milestones

• John Calipari now owns a 61-24 NCAA Tournament record. This was his 17th trip to the Sweet 16, tying for fifth-most in NCAA history.
• Calipari is 12-5 in Sweet 16 games.
• Darius Acuff Jr. led the SEC in both scoring and assists this season, a feat matched only by Pete Maravich in conference history.
• Trevon Brazile finished the season with 1,029 career points and posted 45 three-pointers, 58 blocks and 53 steals.

Team context and season finish

Arkansas closed the year with a strong run. The Razorbacks won seven of their final eight games, including the SEC Tournament title. They won 12 of their last 15 contests.

The team played a record 12 games with both teams ranked. Arkansas went 5-7 in those matchups. The Razorbacks improved month-to-month late in the season, finishing March 7-1.

Lineups and matchup history

Arkansas started Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III, Trevon Brazile and Malique Ewin. Arizona won the opening tip and scored first.

Arkansas leads the all-time series with Arizona, 6-2. The teams had not met since November 17, 1995. Their last NCAA Tournament meeting came in the 1994 Final Four.

Arkansas Falls short in San Jose, but its season included notable milestones and growth. Arizona in Sweet 16 Showdown showcased the Wildcats’ offensive depth and efficiency.

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