In a tournament already riddled with bracket-busting moments, one game stands tall as the quintessential David versus Goliath story of March Madness 2025. It happened when No. 10 Arkansas defeated No. 2 St. John’s 75-66 on March 22. It wasn’t just an upset; it was the biggest upset of the tournament, and an eight-seed difference made it one of the most shocking results in March Madness 2025.
Arkansas vs St. John’s Physical Nature Set the Tone
The matchup featured coaching titans John Calipari and Rick Pitino battling for a win. Arkansas, a team that started SEC play 0-5 and finished tied for ninth in their conference, dismantled a St. John’s squad that had dominated the Big East with an 18-2 record, ending the Red Storm’s dream 31-4 season in stunning fashion.
The subplot of Calipari versus Pitino added intrigue to an already compelling matchup. These Hall of Fame coaches, with a history dating back to their Kentucky-Louisville rivalry, brought tactical prowess to Providence’s hardwood.
Arkansas/St Johns thus far pic.twitter.com/KgYunpYTUX
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) March 22, 2025
Calipari improved his NCAA Tournament record against his longtime rival, executing a game plan that neutralized St. John’s strengths. Pitino’s squad, despite dominating the Big East, found themselves outmaneuvered when it mattered most.
From the opening tip, Arkansas jumped to a quick 4-0 lead with D.J. Wagner’s layup and Johnell Davis’s jumper. St. John’s answered with Zuby Ejiofor, but Arkansas built an 18-13 edge by the 11:42 mark, with Karter Knox and Davis each posting 7 points.
St. John’s went scoreless for over six minutes midway through the first half, shooting a dismal 22%. The game’s physical nature was evident in the 44 total fouls called and combined 34.8% shooting. Arkansas’s shot-blocking defense swatted away layup attempts, with St. John’s converting just 8 of 25 at the rim.
Razorbacks’ Young Stars Rise to the Occasion
The game’s momentum swung repeatedly, with St. John’s mounting a 10-2 run in the first half before Arkansas responded with a 7-0 surge capped by Boogie Fland’s acrobatic buzzer-beating layup for a 35-32 halftime lead.
In the crucial final minutes, Billy Richmond III delivered the dagger with a mid-range jumper with just under 3:00 remaining that halted St. John’s momentum and restored a four-point lead after Ruben Prey’s baseline dunk had made it 66-64. Wagner’s right-handed layup in the closing minutes and Davis’s ice-cold free throws with 12 seconds left sealed the upset.
The Red Storm’s Fatal Collapse
St. John’s briefly showed life in the second half after falling behind 49-38 at the 14:38 mark. They rallied with a furious 7-0 run in just 1:08 when Arkansas’s Zvonimir Ivisic fouled out, and Jonas Aidoo picked up his fourth foul.
RJ Luis Jr.’s free throw pulled them within one, but Pitino’s controversial decision to bench him with 4:56 remaining after he shot just 3 for 17 proved disastrous. While Ejiofor maintained his stellar play with 23 points and 12 rebounds, St. John’s couldn’t overcome going 2 for 22 from beyond the arc.
Arkansas closed on a decisive 13-6 run, turning St. John’s championship aspirations into tournament heartbreak.
Arkansas’ 75-66 win over No. 2 St. John’s wasn’t just a shocker; it was the defining upset of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm entered as Big East champions with national title aspirations, only to be dismantled by a No. 10 seed that barely cracked the SEC’s top 10.
With elite shot blocking, clutch shot-making, and a masterful game plan from John Calipari, the Razorbacks ended St. John’s historic 31-win season in heartbreaking fashion.
KEEP READING: ‘You Gave Us a Magical Run’ — Rick Pitino Expresses Gratitude to St. John’s Seniors
This upset continued the tournament’s tradition of double-digit seeds reaching the Sweet 16, marking the 17th consecutive tournament with at least one such team advancing to the regional semifinals.
The first round saw relatively mild surprises, with just three upsets, including Arkansas over No. 7 Kansas (79-72), while the second round delivered this bracket-shattering drama that defines March Madness.
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