The Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Arizona Wildcats in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament Sweet 16. This game will be held at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
Arkansas comes into this game with a regular season record of 26-8. They performed well in their conference, finishing with a 16-5 record. Last year, they made it to the Sweet 16 before losing to Texas Tech by two points.
Arizona had a strong regular season with a 32-2 record. In their conference, they finished 19-2. Last postseason, they reached the Sweet 16 but were defeated by Duke in a high-scoring game.
Arizona Preview
The Arizona Wildcats are ranked #2 in the AP poll. They play in the Big 12 Conference. Last season, they had a strong postseason run, winning their first two games. They beat Akron 93-65 and Oregon 87-83. Their journey ended in the Sweet 16 with a loss to Duke, 100-93.
In the 2026 regular season, the Wildcats had an impressive record of 32-2. Their conference record was 19-2. Offensively, they scored 86.1 points per game, ranking 17th. They had a field goal percentage of 50.2, which was 11th best. They also excelled in free throws, making 19.1 per game, ranking 16th.
Defensively, the Wildcats had 7.8 steals per game. They averaged 4.2 blocks per game. The team committed 16.0 fouls per game. Their postseason stats showed improvement, with 92.0 points per game and a field goal percentage of 53.3. They also improved their free throw attempts to 33.0 per game.
Key players contributed significantly. Brayden Burries led with 15.9 points per game. Jaden Bradley added 13.3 points per game and had a 46.0% field goal percentage. Tobe Awaka was strong in rebounds, averaging 9.5 per game. Ivan Kharchenkov also contributed with 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Arkansas Preview
The Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked #14 in the AP poll. They play in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a strong run. They beat Kansas and St. John’s before losing to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16.
During the 2026 regular season, the Razorbacks had a record of 26-8. In conference play, they went 16-5. Their offense was impressive, scoring 89.9 points per game, which ranked 6th. They also had a field goal percentage of 50.0, placing them 13th.
In the 2026 postseason, Arkansas improved their scoring to 95.5 points per game. They led in 2-point attempts per game with 51.5. Their defense also stepped up, allowing only 9.5 fouls per game, which was the best in the postseason.
Key players for the Razorbacks include Darius Acuff Jr., who averaged 22.9 points per game in the regular season. Trevon Brazile contributed 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Malique Ewin added 9.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. These players helped Arkansas perform well throughout the season.
Statistical Breakdown for Arizona vs Arkansas
The game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks will be shaped by key stats. Arizona’s strong rebounding and free throw performance could be crucial. They average 42.5 rebounds per game and make 19.1 free throws per game. Arkansas, on the other hand, excels in scoring and assists, with 89.9 points and 17.0 assists per game. Both teams have high field goal percentages, making shooting accuracy a key factor.
- Arizona Wildcats Points Per Game: 86.1 (17th)
- Arizona Wildcats Rebounds Per Game: 42.5 (10th)
- Arizona Wildcats Free Throws Made Per Game: 19.1 (16th)
- Arkansas Razorbacks Points Per Game: 89.9 (6th)
- Arkansas Razorbacks Assists Per Game: 17.0 (36th)
- Arkansas Razorbacks Field Goal Percentage: 50.0 (13th)
Betting Insights
The Arkansas Razorbacks and Arizona Wildcats are set for an exciting game. Both teams have shown strong performances in recent games. Bettors will find valuable insights in the trends from last season. Here are the top five betting trends to consider for this matchup:
- Arkansas is 100% on the Over in their last 3 games.
- Arizona is 80% on the Over in their last 5 games.
- Arkansas is 84.2% SU as a favorite.
- Arizona is 72% SU as a favorite.
- Arkansas is 50% ATS as an underdog.
Free Betting Prediction for Arizona vs Arkansas
The Arizona Wildcats have shown strong performance throughout the season. They have a high field goal percentage and excel in free throws. With Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley leading the offense, Arizona has the tools to score effectively. Their defense, with solid rebounding and steals, adds to their strengths.
Arkansas Razorbacks have a powerful offense, ranking 6th in points per game. Darius Acuff Jr. is a key player, contributing significantly to their scoring. Their ability to keep fouls low in the postseason is also a strong point. However, facing Arizona’s defense might be challenging.
Considering both teams’ strengths, Arizona’s defense and home advantage could make a difference. Arkansas will need to maintain their scoring pace to compete. The game might be close, but Arizona’s consistency gives them an edge.
- Our Free Prediction: Arizona -9.5
