Arkansas basketball is set to once again host one of the nation’s elite programs for a preseason charity exhibition, as the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks take on the Razorbacks Friday night at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. The game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. CT tipoff and will be televised on SEC Network.
This game will mark the first-ever matchup against the Hoop Hogs under first-year head coach John Calipari. Arkansas has a roster that includes three highly touted freshmen, five key transfers and one returning scholarship player, forward Trevon Brazile.
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Arkansas and Kansas haven’t met in Fayetteville since Dec. 6, 1986, when the Jayhawks beat the Razorbacks, 103-86. The Hogs won the most recent game, however, beating Kansas, 72-71, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the 2022-23 season. Kansas leads the all-time series, 8-6.
Calipari is familiar with Kansas head coach Bill Self, who defeated the Calipari-led Memphis Tigers in the 2008 national championship game. According to Calipari, he is friends with Self and the two coaches might choose to pitch work. situation during Friday’s exhibition, but it will be a real match with quarters instead of halftime.
“Let’s play zone for five minutes,” Calipari said on October 1. “Let’s pressure each other. Let’s do situational work, two- to three-minute situations. We’re up eight, then we’re down eight. Let’s see how to play each other. Why not? It’s okay for both programs.
Calipari provided clarification in a tweet Thursday for any fans who are unsure of what the competition format will look like.
“This is a REAL exhibition game,” Calipari said. “Bill Self and I both talked about what our teams needed and we decided on quarters that will provide more situational opportunities. We’re looking forward to an incredible atmosphere at Bud Walton Arena tomorrow night! I can’t wait to leaving the home teams for the first time!
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The new Head Hog has also made a point of tempering expectations, as his team is filled with new faces who have yet to play a match against outside competition.
“He’ll probably get stung pretty good,” Calipari said. “But it’s perfect for us to know where we are right now. For our fans to see where we are. The staff, everyone, has an idea of where we are right now and that we We have work to do. I never promised to have a magic wand.”
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Arkansas hosted Purdue, which was ranked No. 1 in several preseason polls, last season for a preseason charity exhibition. Led by former coach Eric Musselman, the Razorbacks won 81-77 in overtime against the Boilermakers.
The Hogs own an all-time record of 73-10 in exhibition games, including a 64-9 record at home, where they have won 37 consecutive exhibition games.
Friday’s expo is sponsored by CareSource. Arkansas will donate proceeds to Arkansas Children’s Hospitals and Kansas will donate to the Fore The Kids Foundation, a partner of Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City.
Below you’ll find details on how to watch and links to watch, plus all of our content leading up to the game.
WHO: No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks vs. No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks
What: Pre-season charity exhibition
When: Friday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m. CT
Or: Bud Walton Arena — Fayetteville, Arkansas
Television/Broadcast: SEC Network/Watch ESPN
