After a long tenure at Kentucky, head coach John Calipari is heading into his second season with the Arkansas Razorbacks. On Friday, it was reported by insider Anthony Kristensen that Texas Tech and Arkansas will play a neutral-site game next season in a rematch of their Sweet 16 matchup.
“NEWS: Texas Tech and Arkansas will play a neutral site game in Dallas this season, per report by Anthony Kristensen. This will be a rematch of the Sweet 16 game from last season!”
🏀NEWS: Texas Tech and Arkansas will play a neutral site game in Dallas this season, per report by @AMFKristensen.
This will be a rematch of the Sweet 16 game from last season!
Report ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KxOhbiTzpH
— Scarlet and Black Insider (@SBInsiderHQ) June 20, 2025
The Arkansas Razorbacks had an unexpectedly strong run in March Madness this past season, their first under John Calipari. Despite being a 10-seed, the team upset No. 7 Kansas 79-72 in the first round. They then pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, eliminating No. 2 St. John’s with a 75-66 win in the second round.
The Razorbacks then advanced to the Sweet 16, where they met No. 3 Texas Tech. The game was an instant classic as the Razorbacks jumped out to an early lead in the first half before Texas Tech tied it up to force overtime.
Unfortunately for John Calipari and his squad, they were unable to close the game out in overtime. They were outscored by two points in overtime, losing the game 85-83.
Texas Tech went on to lose in the Elite Eight 84-79 to the eventual national champion Florida Gators. The Razorbacks will have a chance to make up for that loss at a neutral site next season.
John Calipari Led the Arkansas Razorbacks to a Bounce Back Season
John Calipari has a strong reputation as one of the best coaches in college basketball. He had a strong run with both Memphis and Kentucky. With the Wildcats, he helped them win the national championship in 2012.
Now with the Arkansas Razorbacks, he helped them get back on the right track this past season. Under Eric Musselman, the team reached the Sweet 16 in 2023. However, in 2024, the team failed to reach the NCAA tournament. In one season, Calipari was able to get the team back to where it was two seasons earlier.
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