Arizona vs Arkansas highlights: Wildcats rout Razorbacks in Sweet 16

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Arizona vs Arkansas highlights: Wildcats rout Razorbacks in Sweet 16

Matthew Glenesk and Craig Meyer, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Thu, Mar 26, 2026 ·

10 min read

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For much of the 2025-26 season, Arizona has looked like one of the best, most dominant teams in men's college basketball.

That continued in the Wildcats' biggest game of the season.

Behind a ridiculous offensive performance, led by 23 points from freshman star Brayden Burries, No. 1 seed Arizona blew past No. 4 seed Arkansas 109-88 on March 26 in the Sweet 16 in San Jose.

Tommy Lloyd mix-master: Arizona coach by day, aspiring DJ on the side

John Calipari played possum: Now, he's got Arkansas back to Sweet 16

With the victory, the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight, where it will take on No. 2 seed Purdue on Saturday with a chance to make their first Final Four since 2001.

Burries was one of six Arizona players to finish in double figures. As a team, the Wildcats shot 63.8% from the field.

In what will almost certainly be his final college game, Arkansas freshman superstar Darius Acuff Jr. had a game-high 28 points. The 21-point margin was the most lopsided NCAA tournament lost of John Calipari's lengthy head-coaching career.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates of Arizona vs. Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Here are the highlights:

Arizona vs Arkansas basketball live score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
Arkansas	43	45	88
Arizona	54	55	109

Arizona vs Arkansas highlights

Arizona vs Arkansas updates

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Arizona blows past Arkansas, advances to Elite Eight

One of the NCAA tournament favorites is on to the Elite Eight, with Arizona drubbing Arkansas 109-88. The Wildcats shot 63.8% from the field and averaged 1.4 points per possession. Just an absolutely ridiculous offensive showing from Tommy Lloyd's team.

Brayden Burries has a team-high 23 points for Arizona, leading a group of six players who finished in double figures. In what will almost certainly be his final college game, Darius Acuff Jr. had a game-high 28 points for Arkansas, which made just five of its 23 3-point attempts.

Billy Richmond ejected for Arkansas

It's getting chippy as Arizona's running away from Arkansas, with an ejected now getting added to the mix. Razorbacks wing Billy Richmond III was tossed from the game after being whistled for a flagrant-2 foul.

The Wildcats lead Arkansas 95-74 with 6:15 left.

Darius Acuff trying to lead Arkansas back

Arkansas is still down big against Arizona, trailing by 17 against Arizona with 7:31 left, but Darius Acuff Jr. is doing what he can to will his team back. The superstar freshman is up to a game-high 23 points and has four points in the past 25 seconds.

Arizona still red-hot

Arizona's offensive machine is showing few, if any, signs of slowing down. The Wildcats have 78 points and a 16-point lead over Arkansas with 11:38 still remaining in their game. Arizona is shooting 65.9% from the field and has five different players in double figures. Just an absolute masterclass.

Arizona opens second half strong

If you thought Arizona might be content with an 11-point halftime lead, think again. The Wildcats' lead is up to 14, 67-53, with 15:54 remaining in regulation. Arizona has made six of its eight shots in the second half thus far and for the game, it's averaging a ridiculous 1.56 points per possession while shooting 64.9% from the field.

Arizona up on Arkansas at halftime

An explosive first half that saw nearly a combined 100 points between the teams ends with Arizona holding a 54-43 lead over Arkansas. Ivan Kharchenkov has a team-high 11 points for the Wildcats, while Motiejus Krivas is also in double figures, with 10. Six of the eight Arizona players who have seen the court have scored at least seven points. Coach Tommy Lloyd's team is shooting 64.3% from the field.

Darius Acuff Jr. is leading the way for the Razorbacks, with 11 points. John Calipari's team has missed 10 of its 12 3-point attempts.

John Calipari: Arizona 'really good'

Earlier in the first half, John Calipari, speaking during a timeout, said Arizona is "really good" when asked how Arkansas can claw back from a deficit vs. the Wildcats. Arizona has done nothing to change that notion, with its lead growing to 46-31 shortly after the under-4 timeout. The Big 12 champions are absolutely demolishing the SEC champs.

Arkansas struggling from beyond arc

Arizona is scoring at will against Arkansas, which can't even make it a shootout as it struggles from beyond the 3-point line. The Razorbacks have completed only 2-of-10 3-point attempts after entering the NCAA Tournament ranked in the top 15 nationally in 3-point percentage. Arkansas has to make some stops and make some big shots if it wants to come back from this 38-27 deficit.

Arizona lead balloons to double digits

The Wildcats are proving why they were a clear No. 1 seed ahead of the Men's NCAA Tournament selection show. They're shooting 77% from the field and 100% from 3-point range while holding Arkansas to just 38% shooting and 20% from 3. No Wildcat has scored in the double digits yet at the under-12 timeout, but every player has scored.

Arizona off to fast start

As it did in the first two rounds, Arizona is looking like perhaps the best team in the country early in its Sweet 16 matchup against Arkansas. The Wildcats have made seven of their first 10 shots, including each of their two 3-pointers, and have taken a 16-11 lead with 13:45 remaining in the first half. Five Arizona players have already scored.

Darius Acuff Jr., meanwhile, is leading the way for Arkansas, with seven of his team's first 11 points.

What time is Arizona vs Arkansas Sweet 16 game today?

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET from San Jose, California.

What channel is Arizona vs Arkansas game on? How to watch, streaming info

Arkansas vs. Arizona will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Arkansas vs Arizona prediction, odds

Odds provided by BetMGM as of 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 26.

∎ Jackson Fuller, Fort Smith Southwest Times Record :Arizona 88, Arkansas 84

Darius Acuff Jr. will keep the Hogs close, but Arizona's depth will prove too much for an Arkansas team that used a six-man rotation during the opening weekend. Look for the Wildcats' bigs to control the interior and power Arizona into the Elite Eight.

∎ Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic :Arizona 85, Arkansas 80

The Wildcats did not play well against Utah State, but got past the Aggies with defense, rebounding and free throws, to win ugly. They will have to play better to beat the Razorbacks. They will. Jaden Bradley won't let this team lose.

Blake Toppmeyer:Arizona
Paul Myerberg:Arizona
Jordan Mendoza:Arizona
John Brice:Arizona
Matt Glenesk:Arkansas
Craig Meyer:Arkansas
John Leuzzi:Arizona
Austin Curtright:Arizona
Ehsan Kassim:Arkansas
Moneyline:Arizona (-375); Arkansas (+290)
Spread:Arizona (-7.5)
Over/under total:165.5

Is Tommy Lloyd a candidate for UNC basketball coach job ? What Arizona coach said about links

Lloyd was asked about the opening in Chapel Hill at Wednesday's press availability ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16. Here's what he said:

"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.

"So I think we have a great team. I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.

"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100 percent focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."

John Calipari March Madness record

Calipari has coached in 24 NCAA Tournaments and reached six Final Fours. He is 61-23 in March Madness games and won the 2012 national championship with Kentucky.

His 61 NCAA Tournament wins tie him with Jim Boeheim for fourth-most in history.

Darius Acuff Jr. 2026 NBA Draft mock draft prediction

No. 6 overall to Dallas Mavericks

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Now led by Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks need to find players who can help Dallas stay competitive on offense and Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. can do exactly that. The SEC Player of the Year is excellently efficient at operating ball screens or in isolation. He leads freshmen for points created per 40 minutes (43.1) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He can score well from either side of the court and is among the freshmen leaders in both alley-oop assists (15) and field goals made in transition (62) this season. There is a reason rival coach Sean Miller thinks this generational guard should have his name in the mix at No. 1 overall.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Darius Acuff Jr. stats

(all stats as of March 15)

22.9 points per game
3.2 rebounds per game
6.5 assists per game
48.6% field goal percentage
44.5% three-point field goal percentage

Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 19 overall to Miami Heat

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Koa Peat stats

(all stats as of March 15)

13.6 points per game
5.3 rebounds per game
2.7 assists per game
53.7% field goal percentage
31.6% three-point field goal percentage

Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks .

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Brayden Burries stats

(all stats as of March 15)

15.9 points per game
4.7 rebounds per game
2.6 assists per game
49.2% field goal percentage
36.7% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona vs Arkansas score: Wildcats rout Razorbacks in Sweet 16

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