Two of the most outstanding programs in two of the most competitive conferences, the SEC and the Big 12, clashed in this year’s national tournament.
On Thursday, March 26, Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona Wildcats beat John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks 109-88 in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 March Madness in neutral territory, the SAP Center at San Jose, California.
Arizona vs Arkansas Box Score
Arizona
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF |
| I. Kharchenkov | 15 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| K. Peat | 21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| M. Krivas | 14 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| B. Burries | 23 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| J. Bradley | 14 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| S. Gueye | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Aristode | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Awaka | 14 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A. Dell’Orso | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| E. Nelson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Arkansas
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF |
| M. Ewin | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| T. Brazile | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| D. Acuff Jr. | 28 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| B. Richmond III | 13 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| M. Thomas | 17 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| N. Pringle | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| I. Sealy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| D.J. Wagner | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Arizona vs Arkansas Game Summary
Many considered coach Tommy Lloyd‘s team the overwhelming favorite against the Arkansas Razorbacks since they were one of the top seeds in the nation. Early on, however, projected top NBA draft pick Darius Acuff Jr. showed out for the Razorbacks, as he constantly got to the rim against Arizona. Still, it was not enough, as the Wildcats had an 11-point edge, 28-17, halfway through the first period.
The rest of the Arkansas-based program tried helping Acuff, who has been spearheading the offense for them. Unfortunately for the Razorbacks faithful, the Wildcats had an answer for every attempt at a run being posed to them. At this point, Arizona had a well-working team-based game plan that kept its double-digit lead afloat. After the first 20 minutes of play, coach Lloyd and company still led by 11 points, 54-43, to close out the half.
To open the second half, coach John Calipari had to dig deep into his expertise and experience for any shot at his team making a comeback. But, it was more of the same through the first minutes of the final half as the Arizona-based program continued to showcase its prowess over the Razorbacks. With this, Arkansas extended its lead by 18 points, 80-62, by the halfway mark of the period.
Despite several efforts from Acuff and company, Arizona maintained its poise and showed why it was an undefeated team for a significant amount of time in the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats’ lead continued to balloon, with Acuff still trying hard in the hopes of his team finding an opening for a run. The clock eventually ran out for the Razorbacks, as the Wildcats defeated them by 21 points, 109-88.
Read More: Darius Acuff Jr. Joins NBA Comp Allen Iverson For Shaquille O’Neal’s Company
Also Read: Is Tommy Lloyd Leaving Arizona? Wildcats AD Addresses Future Amid Contract Talks
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