The 2025 Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball schedule has not yet been released, but there are a few things we can expect. First, the Razorbacks will open the season with a non-conference slate that includes games against some of the top teams in the country. Second, Arkansas will play a challenging SEC schedule that will test their mettle. Finally, the Razorbacks will have a chance to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
One of the most anticipated games on the Razorbacks’ non-conference schedule is their matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats are one of the most storied programs in college basketball, and they will provide a tough test for the Razorbacks. Arkansas will also play a non-conference game against the Kansas Jayhawks, who are another one of the top teams in the country. These two games will give the Razorbacks a chance to prove themselves against some of the best competition in the country.
The Razorbacks’ SEC schedule will also be challenging. Arkansas will play two games against each of the other 13 teams in the conference, including games against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Auburn Tigers, and the Tennessee Volunteers. These games will be key in determining the Razorbacks’ seeding in the SEC Tournament. Arkansas will also have a chance to play in the SEC Tournament, which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee. The SEC Tournament is a single-elimination tournament, and it will give the Razorbacks a chance to win the SEC Championship.
Non-Conference Schedule Highlights
The Razorbacks’ non-conference schedule is filled with a variety of intriguing matchups that will test their mettle early on.
High-Profile Home Games
The schedule features several highly anticipated home games at Bud Walton Arena. On November 11th, Arkansas welcomes the Texas A&M Aggies, a perennial SEC contender, for a rivalry matchup. The Aggies have won two of the last three meetings between the schools. On November 29th, the Razorbacks host the Nevada Wolf Pack, a team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Toughest Road Tests
The Razorbacks also have some daunting road tests on their non-conference slate. On December 3rd, they travel to the legendary Allen Fieldhouse to face the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks, a perennial national championship contender. On December 10th, they head to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who finished last season with a 14-15 record.
Preseason Tournaments
Arkansas will participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas from November 23rd to 25th. They will face the No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs, the No. 16 Creighton Bluejays, and either the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers or the No. 24 Louisville Cardinals. The Razorbacks will also play in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament in Springfield, Massachusetts, from November 19th to 20th. They will face the Siena Saints in the first round and either the No. 18 North Carolina Tar Heels or the No. 25 Iona Gaels in the championship game.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 11th | Texas A&M | Bud Walton Arena |
| November 19th | Siena | Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament |
| November 20th | North Carolina/Iona | Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament |
| November 23rd | Gonzaga | Battle 4 Atlantis |
| November 25th | Creighton/Tennessee/Louisville | Battle 4 Atlantis |
| November 29th | Nevada | Bud Walton Arena |
| December 3rd | Kansas | Allen Fieldhouse |
| December 10th | Minnesota | Williams Arena |
Razorbacks Open Season Against Top-10 Opponent
The Arkansas Razorbacks will open the 2025 season with a daunting task, as they will face the No. 6-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in Fayetteville on Monday, November 10. It will be the first time since 2014 that the Razorbacks have opened the season against a top-10 opponent, and it will be the first time they have faced Kansas in the regular season since 2013.
Early-Season Road Tests
After opening the season at home, the Razorbacks will hit the road for three straight games. They will travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to face the Golden Hurricane on Friday, November 14, then to Las Vegas, Nevada, to participate in the MGM Resorts Main Event. They will open the Main Event against the No. 18-ranked UCLA Bruins on Thursday, November 20, then face either the No. 12-ranked Kentucky Wildcats or the No. 21-ranked Michigan Wolverines on Friday, November 21.
Additional Early-Season Road Games
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 25 | Mississippi State Bulldogs | Starkville, Mississippi |
| November 30 | Alabama Crimson Tide | Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| December 3 | Oklahoma State Cowboys | Stillwater, Oklahoma |
The Razorbacks will return home to face the No. 25-ranked Auburn Tigers on Saturday, December 13, before closing out the non-conference schedule with a home game against the Grambling State Tigers on Saturday, December 20.
Challenging Early Slate Sets Tone for Season
The Arkansas Razorbacks will face a daunting slate of opponents to open the 2025 season, which could set the tone for their entire campaign.
Season-Opening Rivalry Test
The Razorbacks will kick off their season with a high-profile rivalry matchup against the in-state foe, the Arkansas State Red Wolves. This game is always a heated contest, and it will give Arkansas an early opportunity to prove its mettle.
Non-Conference Gauntlet
After the rivalry clash, the Razorbacks will embark on a challenging non-conference schedule. They will face several Power Five opponents, including the Florida Gators, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Louisville Cardinals. These games will provide a stern test for the Razorbacks’ young team and give them valuable experience against top-tier competition.
Variety of Opponents
The non-conference slate also includes a mix of mid-major and smaller programs, such as the UAPB Golden Lions, Little Rock Trojans, and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. These games will give Arkansas a chance to build momentum and fine-tune its game plan before conference play begins.
| Opponent | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State | November 14 | Bud Walton Arena |
| Florida | November 19 | Stephen C. O’Connell Center |
| UAPB | November 23 | Bud Walton Arena |
| Alabama | November 30 | Coleman Coliseum |
| Louisville | December 7 | KFC Yum! Center |
| Little Rock | December 14 | Jack Stephens Center |
| Louisiana Tech | December 18 | Thomas Assembly Center |
Home Stand Features Matchups Against Power Conference Foes
The Razorbacks will host a pair of Power Five opponents during their home stand, including a matchup with the defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks on December 10th. Arkansas will also welcome the Missouri Tigers to Bud Walton Arena on December 17th. These games will provide a tough test for the Razorbacks and give them a chance to prove themselves against some of the top teams in the country.
SEC Slate Includes Home Games Against Kentucky, Tennessee
Arkansas will host three of its biggest rivals in the SEC during the 2023-24 season: Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. The Razorbacks will welcome the Wildcats to Fayetteville on February 4th, the Volunteers on February 11th, and the Crimson Tide on February 25th. These games are always highly anticipated and will be sure to draw large crowds to Bud Walton Arena.
Non-Conference Schedule Features Early-Season Tournaments
The Razorbacks will participate in two early-season tournaments in 2023-24. They will open the season at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, where they will face off against Kansas, North Carolina, and either Michigan or Purdue. Arkansas will also play in the Maui Invitational, where they will face off against Arizona, Creighton, and either Illinois or Louisville.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 28th | Kansas | Nassau, Bahamas |
| November 30th | North Carolina | Nassau, Bahamas |
| November 30th | Purdue/Michigan | Nassau, Bahamas |
| December 10th | Kansas | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| December 17th | Missouri | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| December 20th | Creighton | Lahaina, Hawaii |
| December 21st | Illinois/Louisville | Lahaina, Hawaii |
| December 22nd | Arizona | Lahaina, Hawaii |
| February 4th | Kentucky | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| February 11th | Tennessee | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| February 25th | Alabama | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
SEC Play Begins with Road Trip to Kentucky
The Razorbacks will open SEC play on the road at Kentucky on December 29, 2024. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since the 2022-23 season, when Arkansas won 75-73 in Fayetteville.
Kentucky is one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, with eight national championships. The Wildcats are led by head coach John Calipari, who has won one national championship and has taken Kentucky to the Final Four four times.
Arkansas will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak to Kentucky. The Razorbacks have not won in Lexington since 2006.
Arkansas’ Full SEC Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Location |
|—|—|—|
| at Kentucky | December 29, 2024 | Lexington, Ky. |
| vs. Alabama | January 3, 2025 | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| at LSU | January 7, 2025 | Baton Rouge, La. |
| vs. Mississippi State | January 10, 2025 | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| at Texas A&M | January 14, 2025 | College Station, Texas |
| vs. Florida | January 18, 2025 | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| at Vanderbilt | January 22, 2025 | Nashville, Tenn. |
| vs. South Carolina | January 25, 2025 | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| at Auburn | February 1, 2025 | Auburn, Ala. |
| vs. Tennessee | February 5, 2025 | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| at Ole Miss | February 8, 2025 | Oxford, Miss. |
| vs. Missouri | February 12, 2025 | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| at Georgia | February 19, 2025 | Athens, Ga. |
Late-Season Surge Cures Tough Midseason Stretch
After a disappointing 10-13 start to the 2022-23 season, the Arkansas Razorbacks finished strong with a 10-4 record over their final 14 games. The late-season surge was enough to earn Arkansas a berth in the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Vermont.
Tough Midseason Stretch
Arkansas’s midseason struggles were due in part to a challenging schedule. The Razorbacks played seven of their first 12 games against teams that finished in the top 50 of the NET rankings. Arkansas lost four of those games, including a pair of home losses to No. 1 Alabama and No. 10 Kentucky.
Late-Season Surge
Arkansas turned things around in the second half of the season, winning 10 of their final 14 games. The Razorbacks’ late-season surge was due in part to the improved play of their young players. Freshman guard Nick Smith Jr. emerged as a star, averaging 19.5 points per game over the final 14 games. Sophomore forward Trevon Brazile also played well, averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over that stretch.
6. Key Wins
Arkansas’s late-season surge was highlighted by several key wins. The Razorbacks defeated No. 11 Tennessee on the road, No. 13 Auburn at home, and No. 23 Missouri in the SEC Tournament. These wins helped Arkansas improve its NCAA Tournament resume and earn a berth in the Big Dance.
| Opponent | Score | Date |
|—|—|—|
| Tennessee | 78-74 | February 18, 2023 |
| Auburn | 80-76 | March 4, 2023 |
| Missouri | 79-71 | March 8, 2023 |
Regular Season Concludes at Bud Walton Arena
The 2025 Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball regular season will conclude at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks will host the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in the final game of the regular season.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the game will go on sale to the general public on Monday, December 9, 2024. Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public.
Parking Information
Parking for the game will be available in the lots surrounding Bud Walton Arena. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure a parking spot.
Tailgating Information
Tailgating will be permitted in the lots surrounding Bud Walton Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks.
Arena Information
Bud Walton Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The arena opened in 1993 and is the home of the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s and women’s basketball teams. The arena has a seating capacity of 19,368.
| Time | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD | March 8, 2025 | South Carolina Gamecocks | Bud Walton Arena |
SEC Tournament Redemption
Arkansas’s disappointing SEC Tournament performance in 2024 left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans. The Razorbacks were upset in the quarterfinals by Mississippi State, a team they had swept during the regular season. The loss marked Arkansas’s earliest SEC Tournament exit since 2014.
In 2025, the Razorbacks will be looking to make amends for their early tournament departure. They will have a chance to do so on March 12th, when they open the tournament against the winner of the opening-round game between South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Arkansas has a favorable path to the semifinals, as they would likely face either Texas A&M or LSU in the quarterfinals. Both of those teams finished behind Arkansas in the SEC standings during the 2024 regular season.
The Razorbacks’ biggest challenge in the SEC Tournament could come in the semifinals, where they could potentially face top-seeded Tennessee. The Volunteers reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and will be looking to make a deep run in the SEC Tournament again in 2025.
If Arkansas can win the SEC Tournament, it would be a major accomplishment for coach Eric Musselman. It would also give the Razorbacks a much-needed boost heading into the NCAA Tournament.
| Matchup | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas vs. Winner of South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt | March 12th | TBD |
| Quarterfinals | March 13th | TBD |
| Semifinals | March 14th | TBD |
| Championship Game | March 15th | TBD |
Battle for Omaha
The annual rivalry between Arkansas and Creighton is known as the “Battle for Omaha” in honor of the city where the two schools’ campuses are located. The series, which began in 1999, has been played 18 times, with Arkansas holding a 10-8 advantage. The two teams have met in the NCAA Tournament three times, with Arkansas winning twice (2006, 2015) and Creighton winning once (2002).
2025 Battle for Omaha
The 2025 Battle for Omaha will be played on December 6, 2025, at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. It will be the 19th meeting between the two schools.
2025 Battle for Omaha TV Coverage
The 2025 Battle for Omaha will be televised on ESPN2.
Battle for Omaha History
The following table lists the results of all 18 Battle for Omaha games:
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| December 11, 1999 | Creighton 66, Arkansas 62 |
| December 2, 2000 | Arkansas 83, Creighton 73 |
| December 1, 2001 | Creighton 77, Arkansas 74 |
| December 7, 2002 | Creighton 81, Arkansas 75 |
| December 6, 2003 | Arkansas 83, Creighton 78 |
| December 3, 2004 | Arkansas 80, Creighton 77 |
| December 2, 2005 | Arkansas 86, Creighton 82 |
| December 1, 2006 | Arkansas 83, Creighton 75 |
| December 7, 2007 | Creighton 82, Arkansas 79 |
| December 6, 2008 | Arkansas 82, Creighton 75 |
| December 5, 2009 | Arkansas 79, Creighton 74 |
| December 4, 2010 | Creighton 80, Arkansas 76 |
| December 3, 2011 | Creighton 94, Arkansas 87 |
| December 1, 2012 | Arkansas 86, Creighton 74 |
| December 6, 2014 | Arkansas 95, Creighton 85 |
| December 5, 2015 | Arkansas 90, Creighton 87 |
| December 2, 2017 | Creighton 94, Arkansas 87 |
| December 7, 2019 | Arkansas 86, Creighton 79 |
Alabama Crimson Tide (Jan. 14)
The Razorbacks open SEC play at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide, who finished 19-13 last season and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Alabama returns its leading scorer, Jaden Shackelford, and adds several key transfers, including former Kentucky guard TyTy Washington and former UConn forward Adama Sanogo. The Tide will be a tough test for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win at home.
Missouri Tigers (Jan. 21)
Arkansas travels to Columbia, Missouri, to face the Missouri Tigers, who finished 12-21 last season but return their leading scorer, Kobe Brown. The Tigers also added several key transfers, including former Illinois guard Jacob Grandison and former Memphis forward DeAndre Williams. Missouri will be a tough opponent for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win on the road.
Kentucky Wildcats (Jan. 28)
The Razorbacks host the Kentucky Wildcats, who finished 26-8 last season and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky returns its leading scorer, Oscar Tshiebwe, and adds several key recruits, including former McDonald’s All-American Cason Wallace. The Wildcats will be a tough test for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win at home.
Vanderbilt Commodores (Feb. 4)
Arkansas travels to Nashville, Tennessee, to face the Vanderbilt Commodores, who finished 15-16 last season but return their leading scorer, Scotty Pippen Jr. The Commodores also added several key transfers, including former Memphis guard Alex Lomax and former Illinois forward Dain Dainja. Vanderbilt will be a tough opponent for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win on the road.
Tennessee Volunteers (Feb. 11)
The Razorbacks host the Tennessee Volunteers, who finished 27-8 last season and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Tennessee returns its leading scorer, Santiago Vescovi, and adds several key recruits, including former McDonald’s All-American Julian Phillips. The Volunteers will be a tough test for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win at home.
Texas A&M Aggies (Feb. 18)
Arkansas travels to College Station, Texas, to face the Texas A&M Aggies, who finished 23-12 last season and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Texas A&M returns its leading scorer, Tyrece Radford, and adds several key recruits, including former Kentucky guard Brandon Boston Jr. The Aggies will be a tough test for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win on the road.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (Feb. 22)
The Razorbacks host the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who finished 18-15 last season but return their leading scorer, Iverson Molinar. The Bulldogs also added several key transfers, including former Arkansas guard JD Notae and former Missouri guard DaJuan Gordon. Mississippi State will be a tough opponent for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win at home.
South Carolina Gamecocks (Feb. 25)
Arkansas travels to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks, who finished 18-13 last season but return their leading scorer, AJ Lawson. The Gamecocks also added several key transfers, including former Arizona forward Bennedict Mathurin and former Georgia guard Kario Oquendo. South Carolina will be a tough opponent for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win on the road.
Georgia Bulldogs (Mar. 4)
The Razorbacks host the Georgia Bulldogs, who finished 16-16 last season but return their leading scorer, Kario Oquendo. The Bulldogs also added several key transfers, including former West Virginia guard Kedrian Johnson and former Mississippi State guard Rocket Watts. Georgia will be a tough opponent for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win at home.
LSU Tigers (Mar. 8)
The Razorbacks travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to face the LSU Tigers, who finished 22-11 last season but return their leading scorer, Darius Days. The Tigers also added several key transfers, including former Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe and former Michigan guard Eli Brooks. LSU will be a tough opponent for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks should be favored to win on the road.
2025 Arkansas Basketball Schedule
The 2025 Arkansas Basketball schedule has not been released yet. However, based on the team’s recent history and the upcoming schedule, we can expect the Razorbacks to play a challenging non-conference schedule in preparation for the SEC season. Some potential non-conference opponents include Gonzaga, Michigan, and North Carolina. In the SEC, the Razorbacks will face a tough schedule, as they will play all 14 conference opponents at least once. Some of the key SEC matchups include games against Kentucky, Florida, and LSU.
