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2025–26 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team

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The 2025–26 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team represented the University of Arkansas during the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Razorbacks, led by second-year head coach John Calipari, played their home games at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas finished their season with a record of 28-9 and ranked #15. The Razorbacks won the SEC Tournament championship for only the second time (their first since 2000), and made it to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 round. Freshman guard Darius Acuff earned SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Player of the Year honors, and was named 1st team All-American, the first since Sidney Moncrief earned 1st team honors in 1979.

ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
CoachesNo. 13
APNo. 13
Record28–9 (13–5 SEC)
Quick facts Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball, SEC tournament champions ...
2025–26 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball
SEC tournament champions
NCAA tournament, Sweet Sixteen
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 13
APNo. 13
Record28–9 (13–5 SEC)
Head coach
Associate head coachRonald Coleman (2nd season)
Kenny Payne (2nd season)
Assistant coaches
Home arenaBud Walton Arena
(Capacity: 19,368)
Seasons
← 2024–25
2026–27 →
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More information Conf., Overall ...
2025–26 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 9 Florida16–2 .88927–8  .771
No. 16 Alabama13–5 .72225–10  .714
No. 13 Arkansas †13–5 .72228–9  .757
No. 19 Vanderbilt11–7 .61127–9  .750
No. 12 Tennessee11–7 .61125–12  .676
Texas A&M11–7 .61122–12  .647
Georgia10–8 .55622–11  .667
Missouri10–8 .55620–13  .606
Kentucky10–8 .55622–14  .611
No. 22 Texas9–9 .50021–15  .583
Oklahoma7–11 .38921–16  .568
Auburn7–11 .38922–16  .579
Mississippi State5–13 .27813–19  .406
South Carolina4–14 .22213–19  .406
Ole Miss4–14 .22215–20  .429
LSU3–15 .16715–17  .469
† 2026 SEC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll
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Previous season

Arkansas finished the season 22–14, 8–10 in SEC play to finish in a tie for 9th place. As the No. 9 seed in the SEC tournament, they defeated South Carolina before losing to Ole Miss in the second round. They made it to the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West regional. They beat Kansas and St. Johns in the first and second round respectively, before falling to former Southwest Conference-foe Texas Tech in the Sweet Sixteen in overtime.[1]

Offseason

Departures

More information Name, Number ...
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for departure
Adou Thiero3F6'8"220JuniorPittsburgh, PADeclared for 2025 NBA draft, drafted 36th overall by the Brooklyn Nets, traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
Casmir Chavis5G6'0"180FreshmanMinneapolis, MNTransferred to UT Arlington
Boogie Fland2G6'2"175FreshmanBronx, NYTransferred to Florida
Zvonimir Ivišić44F7'2"245SophomoreVodice, CroatiaTransferred to Illinois
Melo Sanchez8G6'4"185JuniorSan Diego, CATransferred to Central Connecticut
Jonas Aidoo9F6'11"240Graduate studentDurham, NCGraduated
Johnell Davis1G6'4"210Graduate studentGary, INGraduated
Kareem Watkins25G5'8"175Graduate studentCamden, NJGraduated
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Incoming transfers

More information Name, Number ...
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious school
Malique Ewin12F6'10"240SeniorLawrenceville, GATransfer from Florida State
Nick Pringle23F6'10"230Graduate studentSeabrook, SCTransfer from South Carolina
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2025 recruiting class

Arkansas signed three high school players to its 2025 class, including two McDonald's All-Americans (Acuff, Thomas) and the top player in the state of Arkansas (Sealy). Arkansas also signed a top international player (Rtail) who has played professionally in Europe. This class is ranked the #4 class in the country according to On3.com, ESPN, and 247Sports, and the #5 class by Rivals.

More information Name, Hometown ...
College recruiting
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Darius Acuff Jr.
PG		 Detroit, MI IMG Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jul 26, 2024 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   On3: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (95)
Meleek Thomas
CG		 Pittsburgh, PA Overtime Elite 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Nov 12, 2024 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   On3: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (94)
Paulo Semedo
C		 Luanda, Angola West Oaks Academy 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jun 13, 2025 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   On3: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   (85)
Isaiah Sealy
SF		 Springdale, AR Springdale 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Apr 1, 2024 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   On3: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   (83)
Karim Rtail
SF		 Beirut, Lebanon 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Mar 19, 2025 
Recruit ratings: No ratings found
Amere Brown
PG		 Pittsburgh, PA Woodland Hills 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) May 28, 2025 
Recruit ratings: No ratings found
Elmir Džafić
C		 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Jun 12, 2025 
Recruit ratings: No ratings found
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 5    247Sports: 4    On3: 4    ESPN: 4
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Arkansas 2025 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  • "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
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2026 recruiting class

As of May 20, 2026, Arkansas has signed all four players to their 2026 recruiting class. Shooting guard/small forward JJ Andrews, the son of former NFL offensive lineman Shawn Andrews, is the #1 player in Arkansas and a 5 star recruit. He was named a McDonald's All-American. Arkansas also signed small forward Abdou Toure, a high 4 star recruit and Top 50 player nationally, and the #1 player in Connecticut. 7'0" power forward Miikka Muurinen, a 5 star player, signed with Arkansas on May 19, and 5 star combo guard Jordan Smith Jr, also a McDonald's All-American, signed on May 20. Arkansas has the #1 class on 247Sports, the #2 class on Rivals/On3 (just behind Duke), and #1 on ESPN.

More information Name, Hometown ...
College recruiting
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Jordan Smith Jr.
SG		 Washington, DC Paul VI Catholic (VA) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Feb 13, 2026 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (98)
Miikka Muurinen
PF		 Serbia Partizan Belgrade 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Apr 27, 2026 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (95)
JJ Andrews
SF		 Little Rock, AR Little Rock Christian 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) May 5, 2025 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   On3: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (93)
Abdou Toure
SF		 West Haven, CT Notre Dame High 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Oct 3, 2025 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   On3: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   (88)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 2    247Sports: 2    On3: 1    ESPN: 1
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

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Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
2025–26 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G 0 Jaden Karuletwa 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoVillage Christian School Sun Valley, California
G 1 Meleek Thomas 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrOvertime Elite Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
G 2 Amere Brown 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrWoodland Hills High School Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
G 5 Darius Acuff Jr. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrIMG Academy Detroit, Michigan
F 7 Trevon Brazile 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) SrMissouri Springfield, Missouri
F 11 Karter Knox 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg) SoOvertime Elite Tampa, Florida
F 12 Malique Ewin 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)240 lb (109 kg) SrFlorida State Lawrenceville, Georgia
G 14 Ayden Kelley 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg) SoNorthpoint Christian School Memphis, Tennessee
C 15 Elmir Džafić 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)285 lb (129 kg) Frn/a Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
G 21 D. J. Wagner 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrKentucky Camden, New Jersey
F 23 Nick Pringle 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) GSSouth Carolina Seabrook, South Carolina
F 24 Billy Richmond III 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoCamden High School Memphis, Tennessee
F 30 Isaiah Sealy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrSpringdale High School Springdale, Arkansas
F 35 Karim Rtail 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)205 lb (93 kg) FrNeptūnas-Akvaservis Beirut, Lebanon
C 99 Paulo Semedo 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)225 lb (102 kg) FrWest Oaks Academy Luanda, Angola
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: October 25, 2025

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Schedule and results

More information Date time, TV, Rank# ...
Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 24, 2025*
7:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 14 Cincinnati W 89–61  –
  18 – Thomas  7 – Thomas  4 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (14,832)
Fayetteville, AR
October 27, 2025*
8:00 pm, ESPNU		 No. 14 at Memphis W 99–75  –
  23 – Thomas  7 – Tied  7 – Acuff Jr.  FedEx Forum (9,573)
Memphis, TN
Non-conference regular season
November 3, 2025*
6:00 pm, SECN		 No. 14 Southern W 109–77  1–0
  25 – Brazile  11 – Brazile  7 – Tied  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
November 8, 2025*
6:00 pm, FOX		 No. 14 at No. 22 Michigan State L 66–69  1–1
  16 – Tied  7 – Pringle  6 – Acuff Jr.  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
November 11, 2025*
7:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 21 Central Arkansas W 93–56  2–1
  21 – Acuff Jr.  10 – Knox  6 – Thomas  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
November 14, 2025*
7:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 21 Samford W 79–75  3–1
  20 – Acuff Jr.  8 – Thomas  5 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
November 18, 2025*
7:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 21 Winthrop W 84–83  4–1
  26 – Thomas  8 – Brazile  5 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
November 21, 2025*
7:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 21 Jackson State W 115–61  5–1
  21 – Ewin  10 – Knox  7 – Wagner  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
November 27, 2025*
7:00 pm, CBS		 No. 22 vs. No. 4 Duke
CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic		 L 71–80  5–2
  21 – Acuff Jr.  11 – Brazile  5 – Acuff Jr.  United Center (10,766)
Chicago, IL
December 3, 2025*
6:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 25 No. 6 Louisville
ACC–SEC Challenge		 W 89–80  6–2
  21 – Brazile  9 – Ewin  10 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
December 6, 2025*
3:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 25 vs. Fresno State W 82–58  7–2
  18 – Acuff Jr.  7 – Pringle  8 – Acuff Jr.  Simmons Bank Arena (11,534)
North Little Rock, AR
December 13, 2025*
11:00 am, ESPN2		 No. 17 vs. No. 16 Texas Tech
Revocruit Rematch		 W 93–86  8–2
  24 – Brazile  10 – Brazile  8 – Acuff Jr.  American Airlines Center (8,277)
Dallas, TX
December 16, 2025*
8:00 pm, SECN		 No. 14 Queens W 108–80  9–2
  26 – Brazile  7 – Pringle  10 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
December 20, 2025*
4:30 pm, CBS		 No. 14 vs. No. 8 Houston
Never Forget Tribute Classic		 L 85–94  9–3
  27 – Acuff Jr.  9 – Ewin  7 – Acuff Jr.  Prudential Center (6,246)
Newark, NJ
December 29, 2025*
7:00 pm, SECN+		 No. 18 James Madison W 103–74  10–3
  28 – Thomas  9 – Ewin  6 – Tied  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
SEC regular season
January 3, 2026
2:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 18 No. 19 Tennessee W 86–75  11–3
(1–0)		  29 – Acuff Jr.  7 – Tied  4 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
January 7, 2026
8:00 pm, SECN		 No. 15 at Ole Miss W 94–87  12–3
(2–0)		  26 – Acuff Jr.  6 – Tied  9 – Acuff Jr.  SJB Pavilion (8,012)
Oxford, MS
January 10, 2026
5:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 15 at Auburn L 73–95  12–4
(2–1)		  19 – Acuff Jr.  12 – Ewin  4 – Thomas  Neville Arena (9,121)
Auburn, AL
January 14, 2026
8:00 pm, SECN		 No. 17 South Carolina W 108–74  13–4
(3–1)		  21 – Thomas  7 – Pringle  13 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
January 17, 2026
3:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 17 at No. 21 Georgia L 76–90  13–5
(3–2)		  20 – Acuff Jr.  8 – Richmond III  6 – Acuff Jr.  Stegeman Coliseum (10,523)
Athens, GA
January 20, 2026
8:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 20 No. 15 Vanderbilt W 93–68  14–5
(4–2)		  17 – Acuff Jr.  14 – Brazile  5 – Tied  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
January 24, 2026
4:00 pm, SECN		 No. 20 LSU W 85–81  15–5
(5–2)		  31 – Acuff Jr.  7 – Brazile  6 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
January 27, 2026
6:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 15 at Oklahoma W 83–79  16–5
(6–2)		  21 – Acuff Jr.  7 – Brazile  9 – Acuff Jr.  Lloyd Noble Center (9,641)
Norman, OK
January 31, 2026
5:30 pm, ESPN		 No. 15 Kentucky L 77–85  16–6
(6–3)		  22 – Acuff Jr.  8 – Brazile  3 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
February 7, 2026
11:00 am, ESPN2		 No. 21 at Mississippi State W 88–68  17–6
(7–3)		  24 – Acuff Jr.  11 – Pringle  8 – Acuff Jr.  Humphrey Coliseum (8,254)
Starkville, MS
February 10, 2026
8:00 pm, SECN		 No. 21 at LSU W 91–62  18–6
(8–3)		  28 – Acuff Jr.  12 – Brazile  5 – Acuff Jr.  Pete Maravich Assembly Center (6,701)
Baton Rouge, LA
February 14, 2026
7:30 pm, ESPN		 No. 21 Auburn W 88–75  19–6
(9–3)		  31 – Acuff Jr.  10 – Thomas  7 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
February 18, 2026
6:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 20 at No. 25 Alabama L 115–117 2OT 19–7
(9–4)		  49 – Acuff Jr.  8 – Brazile  5 – Tied  Coleman Coliseum (13,474)
Tuscaloosa, AL
February 21, 2026
3:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 20 Missouri W 94–86  20–7
(10–4)		  21 – Richmond III  8 – Tied  6 – Brazile  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
February 25, 2026
8:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 20 Texas A&M W 99–84  21–7
(11–4)		  23 – Richmond III  9 – Ewin  7 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
February 28, 2026
7:30 pm, ESPN		 No. 20 at No. 7 Florida
College GameDay		 L 77–111  21–8
(11–5)		  22 – Richmond III  8 – Ewin  6 – Acuff Jr.  O'Connell Center (11,076)
Gainesville, FL
March 4, 2026
6:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 20 Texas W 105–85  22–8
(12–5)		  28 – Tied  9 – Richmond III  13 – Acuff Jr.  Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, AR
March 7, 2026
11:00 am, ESPN		 No. 20 at Missouri W 88–84 OT 23–8
(13–5)		  28 – Thomas  9 – Tied  5 – Wagner  Mizzou Arena (15,061)
Columbia, MO
SEC tournament
March 13, 2026
8:30 p.m., SECN		 (3) No. 17 vs. (11) Oklahoma
Quarterfinal		 W 82–79  24–8
  37 – Acuff Jr.  11 – Brazile  5 – Acuff Jr.  Bridgestone Arena (15,085)
Nashville, TN
March 14, 2026
2:30 p.m., ESPN		 (3) No. 17 vs. (15) Ole Miss
Semifinal		 W 93–90 OT 25–8
  29 – Thomas  13 – Ewin  7 – Acuff Jr.  Bridgestone Arena (16,612)
Nashville, TN
March 15, 2026
12:00 p.m., ESPN		 (3) No. 17 vs. (4) No. 22 Vanderbilt
Championship		 W 86–75  26–8
  30 – Acuff Jr.  9 – Brazile  11 – Acuff Jr.  Bridgestone Arena (18,377)
Nashville, TN
NCAA tournament
March 19, 2026
3:25 p.m., TBS		 (4 W) No. 14 vs. (13 W) Hawaii
First round		 W 97–78  27–8
  24 – Acuff Jr.  12 – Ewin  7 – Acuff Jr.  Moda Center (12,104)
Portland, OR
March 21, 2026
8:45 p.m., TBS		 (4 W) No. 14 vs. (12 W) High Point
Second round		 W 94–88  28–8
  36 – Acuff Jr.  12 – Ewin  6 – Acuff Jr.  Moda Center (14,385)
Portland, OR
March 26, 2026
8:45 p.m., CBS		 (4 W) No. 14 vs. (1 W) No. 2 Arizona
Sweet Sixteen		 L 88–109  28–9
  28 – Acuff Jr.  6 – Brazile  3 – Tied  SAP Center (15,341)
San Jose, CA
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
W=West.
All times are in Central Time.
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Rankings

See also: 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
More information Week, Poll ...
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516171819Final
AP142121222517141818151720152121202020171413
Coaches152122212317141818151720162121171719171513
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