Information Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
Arkansas coach John Calipari probably isn’t expecting fans to get much out of Tuesday night besides a chance to yell a lot.
He’s more interested in the video. That’s where he’ll find things to point out to a young roster that’s going to need those lessons once the tough games start showing up.
The Hogs shouldn’t have to sweat much against UA-Pine Bluff. If they do, we’ll have a lot more to talk about than a box score.
Arkansas vs. UA-Pine Bluff tips off at 7 p.m. in Fayetteville. It’s the first game of the 2026-27 season that actually goes in the books. SEC Network+ will show the game.
Fans can also listen online at HitThatLine.com or statewide on the Razorback Sports Network at ESPN Arkansas 93.7 and 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in Fort Smith and the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs or 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
The Razorbacks come in ranked 12th and 13th in the two national polls.
Somebody’s going to lose his man on a backdoor cut, and somebody else will throw one into the third row. I’d bet those clips get some extra attention in practice, and whoever’s in them won’t enjoy it.
There shouldn’t be a lot to talk about on them having to find a way to win the game. That will probably be decided by halftime.
Calipari already has one win over UAPB
These two programs have never played each other in men’s basketball.
Calipari has seen the Golden Lions before, though. He was at Memphis then, and his Tigers won 78-54 on Nov. 25, 2002.
Openers have been friendly to him for a long time. He’s 27-7 in season openers for his career and 31-3 in home openers.
He hasn’t lost a home opener in 23 tries. Since he got to Fayetteville, he’s 2-0 in season openers and home openers.
The Hogs have their own streak going. They’ve won 52 home openers in a row, including a 33-0 mark in openers at Bud Walton Arena.
All-time, they’re 84-19 in season openers and 93-10 in home openers.
Arkansas has dropped just three of its last 55 openers
Arkansas has won 52 of its last 55 season openers. The three losses are worth a quick look, mostly because one of them is a little awkward now.
UCLA beat the Hogs to start the 1973-74 season. The Bruins were No. 1, and the game was on their floor. That was before Eddie Sutton came to town.
Texas got them in overtime at a neutral site to open 2018-19. Then there’s 1994-95, when Arkansas fell to No. 3 UMass on a neutral court.
UMass was coached by Calipari. I’m guessing nobody in the basketball office brings that one up at staff meetings.
None of the three happened at home. That’s the part UAPB has to deal with Tuesday.
Richmond looked ready in the exhibitions
Arkansas went 2-0 in its exhibitions. It beat Gonzaga 76-72 and Memphis 93-81. Gonzaga was ranked No. 15 and No. 12 at the time, so that win wasn’t nothing.
Billy Richmond III scored 17 points in both games. He also led the team with eight assists and made 5 of 7 shots from 3-point range. That’s 71.4%, if you’re keeping track at home.
Davion Thompson was the next-best scorer at 12.5 points per game.
Jordan Smith Jr. had a good one against Memphis. He matched Richmond with 17.
Miikka Muurinen got a double-double in that game with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Over both exhibitions, he averaged 10 points and nine boards.
Cooper Bowser averaged nine rebounds too. He shot 77.8% from the field and blocked four shots, and both were team highs.
Watch who plays and how much
Calipari spread the minutes around in those two games. Nine guys averaged 17 minutes or more.
Richmond played the most at 26.2 a game. The rest of that group fell somewhere from 17 to 22.
I’d keep an eye on that more than the score. A game like this is where a coach can try a lineup he’s not sure about and live with whatever happens.
It’s also a chance to save some legs. The Razorbacks play again five days later, and that one’s a lot tougher.
Virginia waits in Washington, D.C., on Sunday in the Capital Showcase. The Cavaliers sit at No. 9 in one poll and No. 10 in the other. Tipoff is noon CST, or 1 p.m. EST, on ESPN.
So sure, check the score Wednesday morning. It probably won’t be close.
Sunday’s the game this whole week is really building toward.
