Arizona vs Arkansas live updates: Prediction, time, how to watch Sweet 16 game
· Yahoo Sports
Freshmen are going to be the story in the Sweet 16 matchup between Arizona and Arkansas.
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The Wildcats start three freshmen, while the Razorbacks are led by freshman Darius Acuff Jr., who was named SEC Player of the Year and has been on a massive heater.
Arkansas coach John Calipari is no stranger to leaning on freshman guards to NCAA Tournament success, having coached the likes of Derrick Rose, John Wall and De'Aaron Fox.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd bucked the trend of going with older, more-established players via the transfer portal, citing a desire to stay away from "overpriced" talent in the NIL era.
“Age don’t matter,” 19-year-old Arizona freshman guard Dwayne Aristode told USA TODAY Sports. “If you’re good, you’re good.”
Perhaps no freshman has been as impressive as Acuff.
"You look at him now, he's like all the best players that I've coached," Calipari said on Wednesday. "He's like that."
The winner of tonight's Sweet 16 game advances to play the winner of Purdue/Texas in Saturday's Elite Eight.
Here's what you need to know for tonight's game, including predictions and NBA draft projections of the game's stars:
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Arizona vs Arkansas basketball live score
TEAMS1H2HFArkansas———Arizona———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 news, live updates, prediction, how to watch Sweet 16