Arkansas preseason Top 25 spot fits, but Gonzaga test just a start

Nobody in Fayetteville fell out of a chair Monday.

Arkansas showed up at No. 12 in the preseason AP Top 25. That’s about where most folks figured the Razorbacks would land.

The USA Today Coaches Poll slotted the Hogs one spot lower at No. 13.

So yes, it’s nice. No, it’s not the kind of news that stops traffic on Dickson Street.

Here’s why the Arkansas preseason Top 25 spot made sense. The Hogs have reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament two years running. Then they went out and landed the top-rated signing class anywhere.

Put those two things together and voters didn’t have much choice.

Every one of John Calipari’s three Arkansas teams has opened the year ranked. The streak stretches back six seasons total.

Arkansas Razorbacks freshman Jordan Smith Jr., during tournament in The Bahamas. | Arkansas Communications

Saturday is measuring stick, not finish line

Now for the part fans need to hear.

The team that takes the floor against Gonzaga this weekend isn’t the one Calipari wants in March.

At least, it better not be.

The exhibition tips at 3 p.m. on Oct. 24 inside Bud Walton Arena. You can watch it on SEC Network+.

Gonzaga checks in at No. 15 in the AP poll. The Bulldogs actually rank a notch above Arkansas in the coaches poll at No. 12.

Two Naismith Hall of Fame coaches will roam the sidelines in Calipari and Mark Few. That’s a neat way to open the gym.

But a fun October afternoon isn’t the goal. Growth is.

A roster that’s still getting to know itself

Billy Richmond is the only returning piece of note from the team that won the league a year ago.

Jeremiah Wilkinson and Cooper Bowser came over from the portal to bring some older legs.

The newcomers carry the hype. Jordan Smith Jr. ranked second among every prospect in his class. Miikka Muurinen, JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure each came in with a five-star tag.

That’s a lot of talent. It’s also a lot of teenagers.

Calipari didn’t sugarcoat that at SEC Media Days, either. It’s not like he hasn’t figured that out by now.

“This is a hard league to do it with young guys, which is what we’re going to do,” he said. “The average age is around 19.”

He also handed fans a fair warning.

“But for anybody to predict this team, you’re crazy,” Cal said. “I don’t have an idea.”

The real tests show up later

That’s exactly why Saturday shouldn’t be the high-water mark. If the Hogs look like a finished product against Gonzaga, something went sideways after that.

The nonconference slate has teeth. The second game on the schedule is against No. 9 Virginia. Michigan State is No. 6, and Arizona is No. 5.

Indiana and North Carolina fall just outside the rankings, each drawing some voter support.

Then comes the SEC grind. Florida owns the top spot. Tennessee is No. 8, one slot below No. 7 Texas.

Only three conference teams sit above the Hogs in the AP rankings. League media slotted the Razorbacks third in their predicted standings. Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Alabama also made the AP list.

One more warm-up before it counts

Gonzaga isn’t the only exhibition on the calendar. Memphis visits Bud Walton on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. That one streams on SECN+ as well.

The real opener is Nov. 3 against UAPB. It’ll be the first time the two programs have ever met.

Your season tickets won’t get you into either exhibition. Those seats are sold separately.

So go enjoy Saturday. Cheer loud. Have fun watching a bunch of new faces in cardinal.

Just don’t judge this group by one afternoon in October. Calipari sounds pleased with where things are headed.

“I’m loving what I’m seeing,” he said.

Good. The best version of these Razorbacks should still be months away.